<p>Fresh off completing Pienza Neutral Bay, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-element">Central Element</a> is preparing its next move in the coveted Lower North Shore suburb.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Central Element (CE) has lodged plans for an eight-storey apartment building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/54-64-barry-street-neutral-bay-nsw-2089">54–64 Barry Street</a>, a 1,659 sqm site just south of Military Road and the Neutral Bay town centre.</p>

<p>The $52 million development will involve the demolition of four detached homes across four lots to deliver 45 apartments, including eight affordable housing units to be managed by Bridge Housing. The mix will comprise six one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-beds, and 15 three-beds. The apartments will sit above three basement levels with 62 car parking spaces and 50 bicycle spaces.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mhn-design-union">MHN Design Union</a> (MHNDU) has returned as architect following its work on Pienza, again shaping a mid-rise form with a clear street presence. The design features a lower four-storey podium element that responds to surrounding context, with upper levels recessed to reduce perceived bulk. Communal open space is proposed both at ground level and on the rooftop, the latter including an outdoor kitchen and swimming pool.</p>

<p>“The building has been designed with a lower four-storey element and with building materials commensurate with the character of the area,” Beam Planning noted in its submission to the North Sydney Council.</p>

<p><img alt="Barry Street, Neutral Bay Nsw 2089" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a28ab3a-b8ba-4476-81cd-e4a8bb84f3a7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Barry-Street-Neutral-Bay-1327x742.png?VersionId=hlgvxszAWXIHgHtdR5HiwIKiSli2lLZV" /></p>

<p>Bridge Housing will manage the affordable units for a period of 15 years, as required under the Housing SEPP’s incentive provisions.</p>

<p>MHNDU’s design report further highlights the site's strategic location just 250 metres from key bus stops and 1.3 kilometres from North Sydney CBD, positioning it for transit-accessible housing supply. In their planning justification, the design team emphasised the site’s compatibility with emerging local character and scale.</p>

<p>Central Element has a solid apartment pipeline spread all over Sydney. They recently completed&nbsp;Pienza, 37 apartments just 500 metres away from the new project, and are currently building Ethos Chatswood, Ballamac House in Coogee, and Bianca on the harbour in Drummoyne.</p>

<p>They have plans for future projects in Mosman, Bondi Beach, Greenwich, Lavender Bay, along with a tower on the edge of Hyde Park.</p>


Joel Robinson

First look: Central Element unveils second Neutral Bay apartment project

<p>Real estate investment fund Wentworth Wentworth Equities is soon to launch a "Los Angeles-inspired" residential, leisure and lifestyle precinct in Brisbane’s Hamilton riverside ahead of the predicted Olympic-led population explosion for the city.</p>

<p>Drawing its style inspiration and name from Los Angeles’ renowned The Grove, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hamilton-grove-19-hercules-street-hamilton-qld-4007">Hamilton Grove</a> will feature three residential towers and a vibrant street-level public precinct with curated luxury lifestyle, retail and dining offerings.</p>

<p>The first of the three towers, to launch in March 2026, will comprise 61 apartments, in the same building as a premium hotel.<img alt="Hamilton Grove" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d227fe61-8392-45b7-b386-9133f29a249f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-19%20at%209.10.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=HTCV35HZ4h84jQCmHwhsdIPN0ctO5d7Z" /></p>

<p>Wentworth Equities Executive Chairman Sameh Ibrahim said the precinct will be unique in its appeal to both residents and the wider community.</p>

<p>“Hamilton is already one of Brisbane’s most sought-after riverside suburbs and for good reason,” Ibrahim said.</p>

<p>“Where else in the world can you walk out of your front door and have everything you could possibly need at your fingertips? The city is just around the corner, the airport is only ten minutes away, you have the river and green spaces right there and premium retail and dining on your doorstep."</p>

<p>Wentworth Equities acquired the 7637 sqm Hercules St site in 2014, when Ibrahim said he had a "very clear vision" for the precinct, but ultimately it wasn't the right time to develop. He said Hamilton was still very much an "emerging precinct."</p>

<p>“Since then, Hamilton and surrounding suburbs like Ascot and Albion have significantly grown and matured into a precinct that aligns with our vision for Hamilton Grove. Brisbane as a whole has so much to offer in the way of lifestyle appeal, but as it stands it is so widespread – you go to Howard Smith Wharves for fine dining, you go to James Street for shopping, you go to West End to walk along the river – but what if you could go to Hamilton Grove for everything?</p>

<p>“Our vision is a precinct that brings together the best of Brisbane into one central space abundant with culture, class and culinary experience – a place that a lucky few will get to call home, but the rest of Brisbane still get to explore and experience at their leisure.”</p>

<p><img alt="Hamilton Grove" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46550990-8aeb-44d4-bb47-150cdca96529" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-19%20at%209.10.50%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bmCkApPKY_Bj3z02Q8vI7Kyo_caJXOnv" /></p>

<p>Experienced civil engineering contractor Mainland Civil has been appointed to commence early works for the project, adding Hamilton Grove to their extensive portfolio where it will join other iconic Brisbane developments including Queens Wharf, 300 George Street, Infinity Tower and 1 William Street.</p>

<p>Construction on Tower One is scheduled to commence in early 2026 with completion expected in late 2028.</p>

<p><strong>Fast Facts</strong><br />
<br />
• Three residential towers and a vibrant street-level public precinct with curated luxury lifestyle, retail and dining offerings.<br />
• Construction on Tower One is expected to commence in Quarter One 2026, with completion expected in late 2028.<br />
• 7,637 square metre site at 19 Hercules St, Hamilton (part of Economic Development Queensland’s 304 hectare Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area).<br />
• 61 waterfront residences and skyhomes in the first tower, ranging from two to five bedrooms.<br />
• Hamiton Grove will be officially launched in March 2026.</p>


"LA-inspired" Hamilton Grove to launch on Brisbane riverside

<p>There’s a quiet patch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>, between the bustle of Glenferrie Road and the curve of the Yarra, that rarely sees change, and even more rarely, new apartments. But that’s exactly where <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pomeroy-pacific-quattro-corp">PQD</a> is planting Kooyongkoot: a deliberate, 18-residence answer to the question of what downsizers actually want.</p>

<p>“This is something this pocket of Hawthorn has never seen before,” says Fil Gacesa, head of sales at PQD. “<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> will deliver just 18 large-scale apartments in the heart of Hawthorn. It is the true definition of resort-style living.”</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/59D7VxzltmM?si=1iCzRD7FRneKryfv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>That scale is central to the story. It’s what allows for two dedicated lift cores, short corridors, and a generous lightcourt that draws natural ventilation and sunlight into every residence. It’s also what makes room for the sort of amenity usually confined to high-density towers: a fully equipped wellness centre with infrared and traditional saunas, yoga and pilates studio, cold therapy shower, and treatment room. There’s a golf simulator, car and dog wash stations, and extensive storage too, not bolted on, but baked in from the start.</p>

<p>But more than the checklist, it’s the design intent that carries weight. “This project has been many years in the making,” says Mark Pomeroy, Director of PQD. “Not just in planning, but in listening, to what our buyers and the local community are looking for”.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355289]</p>

<p>That listening shows up in the materials, oak floors, natural stone, V-ZUG appliances, and in how space is handled. Penthouses feature private rooftop terraces with pools. Terraces and garden residences embrace outdoor connection. Inside, the layouts skew large and open, geared for hosting, not just housing.</p>

<p>Architecturally, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>’s approach is grounded. There’s no reaching for spectacle here. Instead, the building offers a sculptural calm, anchored by landscaping from Eckersley Garden Architecture.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]</p>

<p>That sentiment, calm, connection, echoes in the location itself. Kooyongkoot sits just a short stroll from Central Gardens, Fairview Park, and the Rivoli Cinema. Tram lines and schools are close, but the street is tucked, quiet, and leaf-lined.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Residents of Kooyongkoot will be a short stroll from Fairview Park, Central Gardens, and the Glenferrie Road retail strip," Gacesa notes, "but you're also cocooned in this peaceful pocket behind extensive landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture.”</p>

<p>Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]</p>


Staff Writer

The project that said no to compromise: Inside Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn

<p>When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.</p>

<p>That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.</p>

<p>“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=358855]</p>

<p>Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.</p>

<p>Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357493]</p>

<p>The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.</p>

<p>“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.</p>

<p>Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.</p>

<p>“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]</p>

<p>Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.</p>

<p>“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”</p>

<p>With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.</p>

<p>Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]</p>


Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

<p>Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.</p>

<p>Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.</p>

<p>According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" /></p>

<p>The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.</p>

<p>The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.</p>

<p>The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.</p>

<p><img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" /></p>

<p>The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.</p>

<p>Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.</p>

<p>Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.</p>


First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Capital City

<html><body>
<div>
<p>Fairly in line with market forecasts dwelling prices rose by +2.0 percent in the June 2016 quarter according to the ABS with Sydney (+2.8 percent),  Melbourne (+2.7 percent), and Brisbane (+1.1 percent).</p>
<p>Of the smaller capitals, Canberra also showed a solid increase of +2.2 percent. </p>
<p>The ABS indexes run back to September 2003 with the median house price (+98 percent) and attached dwelling price (+93 percent) having increased since that time. </p>
</div>
<div id="post-body-6073373241639202316">
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><a href="/images/2016/09/23/A5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div align="justify"><img src="/images/2016/09/23/A5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><br></span></span></span>
<div align="justify">This latest move takes the total value of residential dwellings to beyond $6 trillion, an increase of +$1.6 trillion or +36 per cent since June 2012.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><a href="/images/2016/09/23/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
</div>
<div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span style="color: #7f7f7f;"><img src="/images/2016/09/23/A1.jpg" alt=""></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><br></span></span></span>
<div align="justify">The market is now accelerating in the third quarter according to Alan Oster, Chief Economist of National Australia Bank (you see what I did there?).</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Auction clearance rates have again approached record highs again in Sydney, and Oster predicts a substantial +4 percent gain in the harbour city for Q3, as well as +3.5 percent for Melbourne. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Large capital cities lead</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">House prices rose by +3.2 percent in Sydney in the June quarter, with attached dwelling prices showing a much steadier trajectory (both up and down) through the course of this cycle in rising by a further +2.0 percent. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">After six months of house price declines Sydney's all dwellings index hit a fresh all-time high, being +83.7 percent higher than in December 2008.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Brisbane notched up its sixteenth consecutive quarterly gain with prices rising by +1.1 percent.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Since Q3 2012 prices in Brisbane have recorded a studious recovery to rise by +18 percent, while Adelaide (+13 percent) and Hobart (+13 percent) have followed a similar, if slightly more subdued, trajectory. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">In the resources capitals prices have declined since the beginning of 2015 (click charts to expand).</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><a href="/images/2016/09/23/A3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><br><img src="/images/2016/09/23/A3.jpg" alt=""><br></span></span></span>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">State versus state</span></strong></div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">At the state level over the year to June the mean price has continued to rise in New South Wales (+$35,400), Victoria (+$31,100), Queensland (+$10,100), and South Australia (+$16,800). </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">On the other hand the median price in Western Australia has retraced by $37,300 with a notable collapse having taken place up in the Pilbara, and there was also a decline in the Northern Territory mean price of $20,500. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><a href="/images/2016/09/23/A7.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><img src="/images/2016/09/23/A7.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div align="justify">The total value of dwelling stock has increased significantly over the past four years in New South Wales (+$819 billion), Victoria ($+453 billion), and Queensland (+$169 billion).</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><a href="/images/2016/09/23/A2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div align="justify"><img src="/images/2016/09/23/A2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><br></span></span></span>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Supply response</span></strong></div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Finally, the total number of residential dwellings increased by +46,900 in Victoria and +40,600 in New South Wales over the 2016 financial year. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">There are now more than 9.7 million dwellings in Australia.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Over the past four years Victoria (+7.9 percent) has been far more successful at increasing the total size of its dwelling stock than New South Wales (+4.9 percent). </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">From a lower base the uplift has been considerably more pronounced in the Northern Territory (+10.4 percent) and the ACT (+10.4 percent).</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify"><a href="/images/2016/09/23/A6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div align="justify"><img src="/images/2016/09/23/A6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><br></span></span></span>
<div align="justify"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Overall, there were solid price gains in Q2 which generally matched market expectations.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">The ABS figures are retrospective, so market participants will be watching the market closely to see whether recent gains are sustained.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">In the 2015 calendar year in part due to cooling macroprudential regulatory measures the Sydney auction market softened considerably in the lead up to Christmas, before limping over the line. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">There are still a dozen weekends to go yet this year. </div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Capital city prices rose in Q2: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>GUEST OBSERVATION</p>
<p>The level of water stored by Australia’s capital cities has steadily fallen over the last six years. They are now collectively at 54.6% of capacity – a decline of 30% from 2013.</p>
<p>We’re going into a hot summer and Sydney has just announced <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news/level-2-water-restrictions-to-start-across-sydney/" target="_blank">level two restrictions</a>, the toughest for any capital. Data from the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/water/dashboards/#/water-storages/summary/urban?location=Canberra" target="_blank">Bureau of Meteorology</a> shows other capital cities facing mixed results.</p>
<p>The results show that Darwin’s water supply has lost about 25% over the last year. On the plus side, Melbourne’s supply actually increased over 2019, having fallen below 50% earlier this year, and now sits on 63.9%.</p>
<p>While the national average is trending downwards, the patterns for each city are very different. Sydney and Perth water supplies have had contrasting journeys over the last six years. In October 2013 Perth’s supply was a very low 33.8% and Sydney was a comfortable 91%.</p>
<p>Now, for the first time in many years Perth does not have Australia’s lowest level of all capital city water storages. As of last week, Sydney has taken this unwanted distinction from Perth.</p>
<p>For Perth residents, the news is good as their surface water storages are at a six-year high of 46.4%. In Sydney they are worried, as they have a six-year low of 46.2%.</p>
<p>Sydney has experienced a steep decline over the last 30 months, from nearly full storages (96%) in April 2017. The speed and severity of the Sydney drought is starting to resemble previous dry spells. One was in the 1940s and the other was the Millennium drought.</p>
<p>Perth has lived with the most water stress of any capital city. They have had to contend with a steady 45-year decline in rain. The inflow of water into Perth’s dams has also <a href="https://www.watercorporation.com.au/water-supply/our-water-sources/securing-perth-supply" target="_blank">fallen dramatically</a>.</p>
<p>Perth has adapted to its drying climate by sourcing water from <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-perth-really-running-out-of-water-well-yes-and-no-90857" target="_blank">many different supplies</a>. It now uses its surface water storages for about 10% of its water supply. Much larger proportions of Perth’s supply comes from its two desalination plants, which unlike the other capitals are constantly in operation. It makes greater use of groundwater and highly treated recycled water. Perth also has permanent water restrictions.</p>
<p>Sydney’s desalination plant, after hibernating for seven years, is now supplying water. It was switched on in late January 2019 when Sydney supply hit 60%, and can supply 15% of water demand. Unusually perhaps, the desalinated water does not reach all parts of Sydney.</p>
<p>Sydney Water has announced plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/26/sydney-desalination-plant-to-double-in-size-as-dams-approach-critical-level" target="_blank">double the capacity</a> of the desalination plant. Construction is expected to <a href="https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/-/media/Files/DPE/Other/About-us/Metropolitan-Water/2017-Metropolitan-Water-Plan.pdf" target="_blank">begin soon</a>.</p>
<p>Melbourne and Brisbane water supplies are currently at similar levels. However, since 2013 Melbourne’s storages have generally been lower than Brisbane’s. Melbourne’s supply has risen in 2019 after good winter rainfall in its catchments. The storages have increased from under 50% (49.6%) in late May 2019. Today, Brisbane storage levels are now at 59.2%.</p>
<p>Melbourne residents use <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-sydney-residents-use-30-more-water-per-day-than-melburnians-117656" target="_blank">less water</a> than the other capital cities. In 2018 the average Melbourne resident used 161 litres per day, approximately 30% less than Sydney residents.</p>
<p>Melbourne’s supplies have also been supplemented with the reactivation of its Wonthaggi desalination plant in 2019. It is Australia’s largest desalination plant, capable of producing <a href="https://www.water.vic.gov.au/media-releases/2019/desalinated-water-begins-flowing-to-secure-supplies" target="_blank">410 million litres a day</a>.</p>
<p>Brisbane also built a desalination plant after the Millennium Drought. In addition, they also made very large investments in Australia’s largest waste water recycling scheme. The <a href="https://www.seqwater.com.au/seq-water-grid" target="_blank">Western Corridor recycled water scheme</a> opened in 2008, cost $2.5 billion and features three advanced waste water treatment plants, with more than 200 km of pipelines and three advanced waste water treatment plants.</p>
<p>Hobart, Darwin and Canberra are the three Australian capital cities without desalination plants. Canberra has had a steady decline in its supply over three years. It was full in October 2016, gradually dropping to 51.6% in November 2019. Hobart’s storages were above 80% for most of the last six years. They were just above 90% 12 months ago and have since fallen to their current level of 72%.</p>
<p>Darwin’s water supply was full as recently as April 2018. Now, 18 months later, it is just touching 54%. This is its lowest level in six years. Darwin, our tropical capital, has the most seasonal rainfall of Australia’s capitals. Typically, they have almost no rain June to September during their dry season, and a wet season of <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-the-australian-monsoon-69411" target="_blank">heavy rains from October to April</a>. However, the last wet season was one of the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-14/revisiting-the-1952-northern-territory-missing-wet-season/10883534" target="_blank">driest on record</a>.</p>
<p>Adelaide’s water storage has fluctuated over the last six years. Adelaide gets more rain in winter and has dry summers, an opposite pattern to that of Darwin. Over the last three years the level has dropped from over 97% in October 2017 to just below 58%.</p>
<p>The desalination plant in Adelaide can supply up to 50% of its water supply. It has been operating in 2019, although not in the wetter months of July and August. The Murray also continues to supply a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-14/adelaide-desal-plant-revival-plan-to-ease-use-of-murray-water/10619960" target="_blank">large proportion</a> of Adelaide’s water supply. The Commonwealth has agreed to use drought funding for the Adelaide desalination plant, so more river water can be used by farmers upstream to <a href="https://watersource.awa.asn.au/business/assets-and-operations/sa-desal-plant-to-increase-production-as-part-of-drought-deal/" target="_blank">grow fodder for livestock</a>.</p>
<p>Australia is set for a <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary" target="_blank">dryer and hotter summer than average</a>, particularly in the east. Coupled with continued high levels of household demand, we can expect further declines in water storage levels through the first half of 2020.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127909/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;"></p>
<p><em><strong>Ian Wright</strong>, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Jason Reynolds</strong>, Research Lecturer in Geochemistry, Western Sydney University.</em></p>
<p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-drought-is-affecting-water-supply-in-australias-capital-cities-127909" target="_blank">original article</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

How drought is affecting water supply in Australia’s capital cities

<html><body>
<p><span>Some 1,824 capital city auctions held across Australia for the week ending 15 May with a combined preliminary clearance of 68.9 percent. </span></p>
<p><span>One year ago the figure was 77.5 percent.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/05/16/20160516-Capital-city.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/05/16/20160516-Capital-city.png" alt=""></p>
</body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

Combined capital city clearance rates dip: CoreLogic RP Data

<html><body>
<p>Capital city dwelling values are yet to show declines, <span>according to CoreLogic RP Data's Hedonic Home Value Index, March 2016.</span></p>
<p><span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Perth and Darwin are the only cities to record negative value movements over the past year, according to CoreLogic RP Data head of research Tim Lawless, who </span>said<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> o</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">ver the past twelve months, house values rose by 6.6 per cent compared with a 4.7 per cent increase in unit values</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">"Declines (Perth and Darwin) from their recent peak which was more than twelve months ago have been modest at just 4.6 percent. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">"Sydney and Melbourne growth rates are moderating after a strong cycle of growth, while other cities are recording minimal shifts higher and lower."</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/04/01/corelogic_houses.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/04/01/corelogic_houses.jpg" alt=""></p>
</body></html>

Capital City

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Capital City

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.