Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

<main data-perf-region="main">
Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

<html><body>
The building approvals in the current cycle began to rise from mid-2012, according to HIA’s latest report.
It took until late 2015 for the cycle to peak and approvals have subsequently maintained very high levels from a historical perspective.
Australia’s latest new home construction cycle, for which building approvals formed a very accurate lead indicator, is the longest and largest in the nation’s history.
This has produced very healthy outcomes for the broader Australian economy.
The December 2016 numbers for ABS Building Approvals (the latest available data) confirm that we have passed the peak for this cycle.
However, actual residential construction activity will remain healthy throughout 2016/17 and into 2017/18 due to the continuing gap between building approvals and new dwelling commencements (starts).
In monthly terms building approvals peaked in October 2015 at a level of 21,546.
The annual peak for building approvals was a staggering 241,561 over the 12 months to November 2015.
In calendar year 2016 building approvals reached a level of 230,813 compared to 240,009 in 2015.
A gradual decline in building approvals in the early stages of the down cycle provides an important signal for the Australian economy.
This trend is consistent with continued healthy levels of new dwelling commencements and residential work being done in 2016/17 and into next year.
This situation in turn provides positive impacts on economic growth and employment.
For example, construction absorbs 9 per cent of the workforce and is the third largest employer, after health (12.8 per cent) and retail (10.5 per cent) in the Australian economy.
Record levels of residential construction and related jobs have in recent years offset job losses in other sectors.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-1.jpg" alt="">
There was considerable variation in the evolution of dwelling approvals among the states in 2016 compared to 2015.
This is not a surprising finding – this building cycle has been marked by larger than normal divergenes in housing conditions around Australia given that the up-cycle began before Australia’s largest ever resources investment boom had peaked.
In original (i.e. not seasonally adjusted) terms three out of eight states recorded increases in total building approvals in calendar year 2016.
The strongest increase occurred in the Australian Capital Territory (+44.6 per cent), followed by South Australia (+3.8 per cent) and New South Wales (+1.2 per cent).
Total building approvals declined in Western Australia and the Northern Territory (-23.4 per cent in each instance), Tasmania (-23.0 per cent), Queensland (-5.9 per cent), and Victoria (-1.3 per cent).
Comparing the December 2016 quarter to the December 2015 quarter, there was a decline in approvals nationwide of 14.2 per cent (in unadjusted terms, see chart below).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-2.jpg" alt="">
Different jurisdictions played varying roles in this overall result.
The main drivers of this annual change in the December 2016 quarter were New South Wales (-6.4 percentage points) and Queensland (-4.9 percentage points).
Contractions were also evident for: Western Australia (-1.5 percentage points); and Victoria and South Australia (-0.9 percentage points in each instance).
Tasmania had a minor - 0.1 percentage point result.
In terms of the number of building approvals, the decline in NSW (-3,884) acted as a large drag on the national outcome (-8,560).
The following analysis provides greater detail on developments in approvals for different dwelling types.
This breakdown of building approvals – separating out semi-detached style product from medium/high density (MHD) units, for example provides important ‘colour’ to the building approvals landscape and is often forgotten in generalised commentary regarding detached houses ‘versus multi-units’.
Let’s start from the top with the aggregate profiles to provide the necessary background.
The chart below shows monthly changes in seasonally adjusted approvals.
There were 51,173 total seasonally adjusted building approvals in the December 2016 quarter, a level 15.2 per cent lower than approvals in the September quarter.
As previously noted, building approvals were 3.8 per cent lower in 2016 than in 2015.
Seasonally adjusted building approvals for detached houses totalled 28,275 in the December 2016 quarter, a level 2.2 per cent lower than in the September quarter of 2016.
Total approvals for ‘other dwellings’ – usually referred to as ‘multi-units’ numbered 22,900 in the December 2016 quarter.
That level was 26.9 per cent lower than the approvals in the September quarter of 2016. In the 12 months to December 2016 approvals were 5.5 per cent lower than in 2015.
The overall profile for detached house approvals in 2016 suggests this segment of the new home building market remains in relatively healthy shape in early 2017.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-3.jpg" alt="">
Drilling down from this aggregate profile we consider five categories of residential building approvals.
Comparing the December 2016 quarter to the same period in 2015, all of the five categories of dwellings recorded a decline in approvals: detached houses (-5.8 per cent); semi-detached, row, terrace or townhouse homes (-10.1 per cent); flats or units in 1 or 2 storey buildings (-21.9 per cent); flats or units in 3 storey buildings (-25.8 per cent); and flats or units in 4 or more storey buildings (-27.4 per cent).
All the categories combined recorded a national decline of 14.2 per cent.
In terms of last calendar year, all categories except semi-detached, row or terrace dwellings posted a negative change.
Building approvals in the ‘semi-detached’ category increased by 3.8 per cent in 2016.
The remaining categories posted declines in 2016 of: detached houses (-1.9 per cent); flats or units in 1 or 2 storey buildings (-27.1 per cent); flats or units in 3 storey buildings (-7.7 per cent); and flats or units in 4 or more storey buildings (-7.5 per cent).
The chart below shows how approvals for each of the different dwelling types have been contributing or detracting from total growth in the number of building approvals in a quarter over the same quarter a year ago.
Clearly, up to the December 2016 quarter, approvals for all categories have driven declines in aggregate approvals, but to a widely varying extent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-4.jpg" alt="">
Detached house approvals
<ul>
<li>51.2 per cent of total building approvals in 2016 compared with the decade average of 60.9 per cent;</li>
<li>A significant 5.8 per cent decline during the three months to December 2016 to reach a (non- seasonally adjusted) level of 27,610. This level is 13.8 per cent lower than in the December 2015 quarter;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 9,735 dwellings over 2016 in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Eastern seaboard states the primary geographical drivers of growth in 2016.</li>
</ul>
Semi-detached and townhouse approvals
<ul>
<li>14.6 per cent of total building approvals in 2016 compared with the decade average of 13.5 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 2,781 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Strong 3.8 per cent growth in 2016, driven by the eastern seaboard states;</li>
<li>Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Victoria contributed to aggregate growth nationally;</li>
</ul>
Approvals for units in 1 or 2 storey buildings
<ul>
<li>1.4 per cent share in 2016, compared with the decade average of 2.9 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 271 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms. Growth driven by South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, but declines elsewhere.</li>
</ul>
Approvals for units in 3 storey buildings
<ul>
<li>2.2 per cent share in 2016, compared with the decade average of 2.5 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 426 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Decline of 7.7 per cent in 2016;</li>
<li>Annual decline a result of pull-backs in New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Growth in Victoria and South Australia was insufficient to offset the declines.</li>
</ul>
Approvals for units in 4+ storey buildings
<ul>
<li>30.5 per cent share in 2016 compared with ten year average of 20.1 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 5,826 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Some slow-down in 2016, driven mainly by Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales were the two star contributors to growth.</li>
</ul>
Australia’s new home-building boom looks set to taper off from 2017.
Building approvals for new housing have faded (moderately) in the past year, but they didn’t tank.
ABS building approvals figures show that the number of houses and ‘other dwellings’ approved in 2016 were lower than in 2015 by less than 4 per cent.
This outcome is not a precursor of any serious declines in new dwelling commencements in the first half of 2017.
The steady trend in detached house approvals suggests that actual activity will similarly remain reasonably healthy in the short term.
A slightly more positive short term outlook applies to semi-detached type approvals.
Overall, we retain our long held outlook for continued healthy levels of new home construction in 2016/17, and to a lesser extent in calendar year 2017:-
Detached house construction will remain healthy in the short term, but the volume of building will be lower than last year;
The semi-detached market has some further growth to it in the first half of 2017 – a tick in the box that shouldn’t be missed;
The pipeline of work in progress is substantial, particularly in terms of medium/high density dwellings.
HIA Economics will shortly be releasing their latest forecasts for dwelling commencements.
This release will include updates for the subscription products of: dwelling starts composition forecasts; regional building approvals forecasts; and long term forecasts.
For further information go <a href="https://hia.com.au/en/BusinessInfo/economicInfo/housingForecasts.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New home building approvals in longest and largest cycle in Australia's history

<html><body>
The December 2016 update for ABS Building Approvals confirms the peak for the cycle has passed, according to the Housing Industry Association.
“While a downward trend in building approvals is firmly entrenched, residential construction activity itself will hold up well throughout 2016/17,” said HIA chief economist, Dr Harley Dale.
“From 2017/18 we will see a sharper decline in new home building activity, primarily due to the medium/high density segment of the market.
"Building approvals peaked in July 2016, but by December last year were only 18 per cent lower than that peak.
"Given approvals reached an all-time high last year that’s a modest fall – we can take that away and bank it as a good outcome for the Australian economy.
"This has been an extraordinary cycle for new home building – the biggest and longest in history."
He said a long tail to the cycle will be helpful for the Australian economy.
Dr Dale said it was important to focus in 2017 on ensuring Australia has the correct longer term policy settings to ensure we adequately house our growing and ageing population.
The recent appointment of Michael Sukkar as Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, with a focus on housing affordability allows the Federal Government to lead from the front in meeting this crucial national objective.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/02/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-02%20at%202.34.22%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/02/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-02%20at%202.34.22%20pm.jpg" alt="">
In December 2016 total seasonally adjusted building approvals fell by 1.2 per cent with detached houses down by 2.2 per cent and ‘other dwellings’ sitting flat at +0.1 per cent.
On a three month annualised basis total approvals remain above the 200,000 threshold at 204,692.
In December 2016, seasonally-adjusted building approvals increased by 19.5 per cent in Tasmania and 17.0 per cent in Victoria, while in trend terms there was an increase of 1.2 per cent in the Northern Territory.
Building approvals fell in Western Australia (-16.3 per cent), New South Wales (-13.2 per cent), South Australia (-5.4 per cent), and Queensland (-0.1 per cent).
In trend terms approvals fell by 2.1 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory.
</body></html>

Peak of the building approvals cycle has passed: HIA

<html><body>
After posting some healthy looking results over recent quarters, figures released today show Australia’s economy contracted during the September 2016 quarter marking the first quarterly decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) since 2011 and only the third quarterly decline in the last decade.
A decline in GDP was not unexpected, however the magnitude of the decline makes the result worthy of closer scrutiny, said Geordan Murray, economist at the Housing Industry Association.
“The value of investment in residential building declined by 1.4 percent in the quarter, however it remains 7.2 percent higher than in the September quarter a year earlier.
In the context of the residential building cycle reaching a record high, the decline in investment in the sector and the role that it played in the overall contraction in GDP is likely to be a point of discussion,” he said.
The 1.4 percent decline in aggregate investment in residential building was the result of a 1.6 percent decline in work done building dwellings, and a 1.0 percent reduction in renovations activity.
“Quarter by quarter fluctuations are expected and poor weather has been blamed for the weak result for the construction sector in the September 2016 quarter.
The latest quarterly decline is not likely to herald the turning point for residential investment just yet, he noted.
There is still a significant volume of work that remains to be done on projects at various stages of construction which will see the level of investment remain at a historically high level over the next few quarters.”
“With GDP contracting by 0.5 percent in the September quarter it will be tempting to focus on the negative headline result.
It is worth noting that the most significant factor detracting from growth was a reduction in capital investment by the various levels of government.
A reduction in defence expenditure was a significant item, while there was also a significant reduction in capital investment by state and local governments,”
“Looking at private sector investment, results continue to be mixed. On the positive side, investment in machinery and equipment increased and the agricultural sector made a strong contribution to growth.
However, this was outweighed by quite a significant drop in new non-residential building along with the modest reduction in residential building investment.
In addition, the widely anticipated contraction in mining related engineering investment continues to weigh on growth,” concluded Geordan Murray.
</body></html>

Housing unexpectedly bites as GDP declines

<html><body>
Taxes, fees, levies and other government charges are "the lead in the saddlebag" for housing affordability, according to the Housing Industry Association's (HIA) chief executive – industry policy and media, Graham Wolfe.
“Housing affordability will not be addressed by political point scoring around negative gearing or capital gains tax,” he said.
“It’s a distracting and lazy debate and one where all three levels of government point a finger at each other, when it’s a fact that around 40% of the cost of a new home is taxation.”
“Increasing the supply of new housing is an obvious key to improving housing affordability.
“But retaining the enormous taxation burden on the cost of new homes is an anathema to addressing the problem.”
Wolfe is responsible for the lobbying group's policy development, media and advocacy functions and has been pushing the government to reform its taxation policies towards the industry.
“It’s the taxes and levies that are charged on every new home that overwhelmingly defeat all attempts to reduce housing costs,” he said.
“Yet housing, a basic requirement that all Australians should be able to access, is taxed more heavily than other parts of the economy.”
“State based stamp duty on the purchase of a typical new home alone adds a $91 per month burden on household mortgage repayments.”
“On average, families in NSW will pay considerably more – every month for the life of their home loan.
“Residential investment in housing has made a considerable contribution to arresting rental costs for thousands of families.
“Particularly in NSW where new supply has moderated rental increases over the past two years.”
</body></html>

Property taxes are crippling housing affordability: HIA

<html><body>
Central Equity has won the Housing Industry of Australia Victorian (HIA) Apartment Complex 2016 for its Southbank Grand development.
Southbank Grand was designed in collaboration with architects Guilford Bell and Graham Fisher. 
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/SBG_Bedroom_typical.jpeg" alt="">
The 43-level tower meets the standards that have won Central Equity several previous awards for its inner-city residential developments.
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/SBG_Facilities_Indoorpool.jpeg" alt="">
In designing the apartments, consideration was given to space and light and quality finishes and fixtures.
Living areas feature double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a balcony or terrace for abundant light, fresh air and cityscape vistas. 
There are European sourced appliances, composite stone bench-tops, sparkling splash backs and German tap ware. 
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/SBG_TypicalLiving_3bedApt.jpeg" alt="">
Building facilities include state of the art security, access to NBN via a high speed broadband network, an indoor heated pool, gym, BBQ terrace and concierge services.
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/SBG_foyer_panorama.jpeg" alt="">
Southbank Grand is situated at 151 City Rd, Southbank (corner of Power St).  For more information, <a href="https://www.southbankgrand.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
</body></html>

Central Equity wins HIA Victorian Apartment Complex 2016 award

<html><body>
Total dwelling approvals experienced a large decline during September with new dwelling approvals falling 8.7 percent during September and multi-unit developments down 17.5 percent month on month according to the Housing Industry Association.
During September, total new dwelling approvals fell by 8.7 per cent due to big reductions in the larger states, according to Shane Garrett, HIA Senior Economist.
He said during the month, a total of 18,945 approvals were recorded with detached house approvals increasing by 1.7 percent during the month, while multi-unit approvals were down by some 17.5 percent in month-on-month terms.
“Despite the large drop in multi-unit dwelling approvals during September, the volume of approvals in this segment of the market is still at very high levels by historic standards - this means that the immediate pipeline of work will remain very elevated on the apartment side,” he said.
“The concentration of multi-unit dwelling construction in the large states like NSW and Victoria means that these big players bore the brunt of the reduction in multi-unit approvals during September.
“During September, detached house approvals rose to their highest level since May which was good news for both South Australia and Western Australia where detached houses still account for the large majority of new dwellings.
"In September 2016, total seasonally-adjusted new home building approvals increased by 9.4 percent in South Australia and by 5.5 percent in Western Australia.
"During September, building approvals experienced the largest decline in Victoria (-15.6 percent) followed by New South Wales (-13.3 percent).
<a href="/images/2016/11/02/Building%20approvals.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/11/02/Building%20approvals.jpg" alt="">
 
</body></html>

Residential building approvals declining during September period

<html><body>
NSW Government figures showing new home building in Sydney at a 16-year high have been welcomed by the Housing Industry Association.
HIA Senior Economist Shane Garrett said these figures from the NSW Department of Planning &amp; Environment indicate that 30,191 new homes were completed in Sydney during 2015/16, the highest since 1999/2000.
“This represents a 10.4 per cent increase on the previous financial year, with multi-units now accounting for two out of every three new homes in the Sydney area,” he said.
In 2015-2016, 30,191 new houses and apartments were completed, up 10 per cent year-on-year, figures from the Metropolitan Housing Monitor released to Fairfax Media on Tuesday found. This compared to 30,520 new homes built in 1999-2000, when builders were rushing into the market before the introduction of GST in July 2000.
About 40 percent of the completed houses and apartments were concentrated in six local government areas, including the City of Sydney, Blacktown, Camden, Parramatta, Liverpool and The Hills.
“The output of the residential building industry has provided homes for almost 80,000 people in the Sydney area during 2015/16 alone. It is important that Sydney’s dwelling stock expands in order to accommodate the strong, migration-driven growth in the local labour market," he said.
“The strength of new home building in Sydney over the past few years owes much to the low interest rates in place, as well as the rebound in tourism and skilled services in the city.
“However, obstacles with respect to planning, land supply and the affordable delivery of housing infrastructure all risk preventing the Sydney economy from reaching its full potential over the long term."
</body></html>

Sydney home building at 16-year high: HIA

<html><body>
The Housing Industry Association chief economist Harley Dale says strong price growth was only evident in Sydney.
"Any corrective action by regulators must be very targeted, so as not to adversely affect broader housing demand," Harley Dale suggested.
"Residential building is one of the few bright lights in the economy at the moment, and it would be unwise to interfere in the market to an extent that risks derailing activity."
Efforts to boost lending standards in Australian banks' housing portfolios in the last three months were starting to bear fruit, Wayne Byres, the chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
"This effort has consumed a great deal of our supervisory time over the past three months, but is now starting to bear fruit," Wayne Byres told a senate committee hearing this week.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

HIA's Harley Dale says strong growth only in Sydney

<html><body>
Western Australia builder Gransden Constructions has won top gongs at the recent HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards, taking out both the Australian Home of the Year and Custom Built Home of the Year Awards.
The winning trophy home, located in the Perth Hills suburb of Bedfordale, is on 20 hectares and built around five areas known as pods, which make up a total of 1000 square metres. 
One of the pods features a 20m heated pool, complete with enough fibre-optic lighting to make the roof look like the Milky Way.
Builder George Allingham told WA Today the owners, retirees Retirees Tena and Terry Wheeler, wanted a house inspired by their combined love of Japanese architecture.
"It's a large house but it doesn't feel particularly large – it nestles into the block. The architect said it 'touches the earth lightly'," he said.
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<a href="https://hia.com.au/aha" target="_blank">HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year</a> is the top accolade with other finalists:
<ul>
<li>Metricon HomesSouth Australia
</li>
<li>Planbuild Homes Queensland
</li>
<li>Stonehaven HomesVictoria
</li>
<li>Spacemaker Home Extensions Victoria
</li>
<li>BCG Constructions Pty LtdVictoria 
</li>
<li>Giorgi Exclusive Homes Western Australia
</li>
</ul>
The project also won the award for the Australian Custom Built Home of the Year, partnered by Stramit Building Products. 
The judges were impressed with the execution of the build and the material combination, and described this home as an exemplary masterpiece. 
<a href="https://www.gransden.com.au/-Company-" target="_blank">Gransden Construction</a> services the $1 million-plus market in new homes and the $850,000-plus market in home additions or renovations.
<div class="page" title="Page 6">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Architect Suzanne Hunt says her favourite feature of the home was the tranquillity, light and connection to the landscape.
 
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
The orientation of the house on the east-west long axis makes the most of natural weather conditions, including solar gain, natural light and the capturing of prevailing breezes.
 High-level remote-controlled windows, sliding glass doors, and louvred and sashless windows ensure cross-flow ventilation. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

WA builders Gransden Construction win HIA-CSR Australian Home of the Year

<html><body>
Harley Dale, chief economist at the Housing Industry Association, acknowledges that Sydney is out there on its own.
“Everybody will remain in a tizzy about Sydney through the rest of the year," he said.
But while Sydney and  Melbourne will continue to record strong growth in housing prices, Dale says most  other markets in Australia will register little or no price movement Increased unemployment and stagnant household incomes  will outweigh cheaper home loans and investor appetite so he expects national house price growth will slow down over the next 12 months even if some pockets in capital cities post another bumper return for the period.
“There are literally thousands of property markets around Australia,” Mr Dale told The New Daily.
"Sydney looks to be  well out in front, Melbourne is kind of in the race, Brisbane is accelerating from effectively last place,  and the rest have some training to do.
"National housing price boom – rubbish!”
National price acceleration is unlikely.
"Headlines of a ‘national housing price boom’ will remain  erroneous and, at times, almost irresponsible, because there are negatives as well as positives.
“Sydney is an ‘out there’ market which is outperforming now following a decade of underperformance," he said.
</body></html>

Hia

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Hia