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;

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.

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.

<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.

“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.

<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" />

Bridge Housing will manage the affordable units for a period of 15 years, as required under the Housing SEPP’s incentive provisions.

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.

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.

They have plans for future projects in Mosman, Bondi Beach, Greenwich, Lavender Bay, along with a tower on the edge of Hyde Park.

Joel Robinson

First look: Central Element unveils second Neutral Bay apartment project

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.

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.

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" />

Wentworth Equities Executive Chairman Sameh Ibrahim said the precinct will be unique in its appeal to both residents and the wider community.

“Hamilton is already one of Brisbane’s most sought-after riverside suburbs and for good reason,” Ibrahim said.

“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."

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."

“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?

“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.”

<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" />

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.

Construction on Tower One is scheduled to commence in early 2026 with completion expected in late 2028.

Fast Facts 
 
• Three residential towers and a vibrant street-level public precinct with curated luxury lifestyle, retail and dining offerings. 
• Construction on Tower One is expected to commence in Quarter One 2026, with completion expected in late 2028. 
• 7,637 square metre site at 19 Hercules St, Hamilton (part of Economic Development Queensland’s 304 hectare Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area). 
• 61 waterfront residences and skyhomes in the first tower, ranging from two to five bedrooms. 
• Hamiton Grove will be officially launched in March 2026.

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

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.

“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.”

<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>

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.

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”.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355289]

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.

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;

“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

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;

“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.”

Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Staff Writer

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

When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;

Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.

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.

“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.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=358855]

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;

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357493]

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]

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.

“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.”

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.

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;

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;

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

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.

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.

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.

<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" />

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.

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.

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”.

<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" />

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.

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.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

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

Housing Stock

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The national housing market has just experienced its largest downturn in dwelling values since at least the 1980s.
The fact that values nationally fell by less than 10% speaks to the ongoing strength of the housing market over the past 40 years which has culminated in Australia being one of the most expensive places in the world in which to buy property.
Since the federal election in May, there have been ongoing signs of improving market conditions.
This has been driven by a number of factors including: an unexpected win by the Coalition in the federal election which removed uncertainty about changes taxation policies relating to investment, two 25 basis point cuts to interest rates, tax cuts for low income earners and an easing of some of the previous lending restrictions that were in place.
While there are clear signs of improving conditions, many point to the fact that the very low volume of sales in the market indicate that the recovery is not real or unsustainable.
While that could very well prove to be true if/when stock levels rise, the truth of the matter is that in a downturn, sales volumes typically fall and subsequently, the early stages of a housing recovery are usually characterised by low volumes of sales.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/8/23/CL%20Recovery%201.JPG" alt="">
The above chart shows the monthly volume of settled sales for dwellings nationally, together with the rolling three month change in dwelling values nationally. The dotted line represents 0% change, so anything below means that values are falling and anything above is indicative of growth. What becomes quite clear from the data is that when values are declining, sales volumes typically fall and increasing values typically leads to higher volumes.
What is also evident is that the market doesn’t respond immediately, when values start rising, initially at least, it isn’t necessarily occurring in concert with a rise in sales volumes. Even recent examples in the 2009 and 2011 market recoveries show this to be the case.
This is precisely what is occurring at the moment, specifically in Sydney and Melbourne where housing conditions are improving following a sharp downturn.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/8/23/CL%20Recovery%202.JPG" alt="">
Another way to look at how a housing market recovery starts out with low sales volumes is the auction market.
Coming out of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), values nationally started to lift in January 2009. Equally, the above chart shows how auction clearance rates bounced however, this bounce occurred with very low volumes of auctions taking place.
Equally, the housing recovery which started in early 2012 saw a relatively low number of auctions occurring right through until early 2013. It is a similar story right now with auction clearance rates having bounced higher since the middle of May, yet the volume of properties going to auction remaining quite low.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/8/23/CL%20Recovery%203.JPG" alt="">
Finally, you can only really take to auction or purchase what is available for sale. One of the major reasons why transaction volumes remain so low is because there is very little actually available for sale. The number of new listings nationally (new listings are anything not previously advertised for sale over the past 6 months) are the lowest they’ve been at this time of year for many years and are -18.9% lower than they were last year.
Total listings are also lower than they’ve been at this time of year for many years and are -4.4% lower than they were a year ago.
Auction volumes have certainly fallen much more than volumes in the general market however, as housing market conditions have softened, vendors have become much more selective about which properties are appropriate to be taken to auction.
Notwithstanding that, as we have seen in the past you can’t say that an increase in dwelling values is not sustainable just because the volume of stock either selling or going to auction is low.
Ultimately, you can only transact that which is actually available for sale and at this point there is not a lot of stock available for sale. Of course as we enter spring that may change and a higher volume of stock for sale may prove to snuff out any increases in housing values but at this stage the improving trend is quite real.
CAMERON KUSHER is the head of research for the Australian branch of CoreLogic
Kusher regularly posts on the <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news" target="_blank">CoreLogic website</a>.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

The signs of a market recovery: CoreLogic's Cameron Kusher

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Australia national new apartment market is set to show signs of recovery in 2019, according to the Urbis Q4 Apartment Essentials Report.
They found with new stock coming in and sales experiencing speed bumps, national apartment sales as a percentage of available stock surveyed has dropped to a new low of 7.7% in quarter four.
"We’ve seen fluctuating results around the country," said Clinton Ostwald, Director at Urbis. 
"In many markets, buyers are soaking up the existing completed stock as the brakes have been put on new launches.
"In other markets, new projects are still being launched to market, replenishing the supply and leading to steady sales.
"Sales rates have been dropping for the last two years, so it’s no surprise that 2018’s results were lacklustre in comparison to 2017."
The report found in Sydney, sold stock averaged 21% of available supply throughout each quarter in 2017 but that dropped by 5.5% in 2018.
Melbourne and the Gold Coast followed suit, with a smaller drop of roughly 4% over the same period.
However Brisbane and Perth, the markets that have seen the least new stock enter, have actually seen slight increases percentage of stock sold in 2018.
Urbis said "it’s not the stock crisis we imagined one year ago".
"Lower levels of new stock entering the market has continued to replenish the slow sales throughout 2018, with 24,000 new apartments launching throughout the year," said Ostwald. 
Melbourne had the most built over 2018 with roughly 11,244 new apartments entering the market, while Sydney placed second in the country with 4,810 new apartment launches.
Brisbane remained an outlier with no new launches in the quarter, however the report noted that "the first half of 2019 will likely bring over 1,000 new apartment launches for the sunny city".
Apartment approvals are at their lowest in the history of Urbis’ Apartment Essentials, sitting at 4,576 in quarter four 2018. 
"We need to keep an eye on supply levels as ongoing population growth, particularly on the East Coast, will quickly take up available supply," said Ostwald.
"This may result in a housing supply shortage in the next 12 to 18 months as we are also seeing fewer completions in the greenfield house and land market."
46% of total sales for 2018 were attributed to owner occupiers.
Interstate investors accounted for 19% of sales, up 10%.
Local state investors, who previously accounted for 30% of the market in 2017, dropped down to 17% in 2018, in line with foreign investors.
7.7% of the surveyed available stock was sold in the December quarter across the five markets:
The national weighted average sale price was recorded at $705,226 for Q4.
Average apartment sale price:
<ul>
<li>Sydney – $899,793</li>
<li>Melbourne – $656,739</li>
<li>Brisbane – $831,884</li>
<li>Perth – $602,524</li>
<li>Gold Coast – $715,032</li>
</ul>
The most popular apartment sales were two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments, making up 47% of total sales.
Across the cities the highest selling product types were:
<ul>
<li>Sydney – One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments – 48%</li>
<li>Melbourne – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments – 44%</li>
<li>Brisbane – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom 53%</li>
<li>Perth – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom – 41%</li>
<li>Gold Coast – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom – 66%</li>
</ul>
The report found 25% of actively selling apartments are in presales, 49% are under construction and 26% are recently built.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New apartment market to show signs of recovery in 2019: Urbis

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Melbourne has over 6.5 percent less fresh listings than it had at the same time last year, while Adelaide and Brisbane aren't too far behind.
Sydney's new 8,300 listing represents a 0.4 percent increase in fresh stock to their market compared to a year ago.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/3/14/properties_listed.jpg" target="_blank">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/2018/3/14/properties_listed.jpg" alt="">
Sydney's overhang still comes from last year, with 26,800 total listings showing a 22.5 percent increase on how many listings they had last year.
Hobart is still well short of stock with dwellings flying off the shelves. They're 34.5 percent down on total number of listings from this time last year.
In total there are nearly 30,000 new listings, down 3.2 percent from this time last year.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Melbourne's fresh listings well down while Sydney still sees major overhang from 2017

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Mernda has experienced the biggest stock decrease over the past year according to Investar.
Investar suggests the stock for sale has decreased by 79%, from 500 houses this time last year to its current 102 offering.
The suburb's median house price sits on $480,000, according to CoreLogic. 
Investar puts it the suburb median rental at $365 a week.
A three bedroom Goulburn Street house has been listed for sale with $600,000 hopes (pictured below).
Close to the upcoming Mernda train station, the 79 Goulburn Street home comes with three bedrooms, kitchen with Caesar stone waterfall benchtops, and open plan meals/family area.
 Further benefits include ducted heating, split system cooling and alarm system with security cameras.
<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/2018/2/26/70%20goulburn%20st.jpg" alt="">
A Mernda four bedroom house has been sold for $751,500 earlier this month (pictured below).
Situated within walking distance to parklands and within easy access to schools, supermarkets and train station, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-mernda-127488198" target="_blank">the 20 Chicory Street</a> home comes with large formal lounge/theater room, hostess kitchen with euro appliances, and large family room.
<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/2018/2/26/20%20chicory%20st.jpg" alt="">
Another three-bedroom house was sold for $610,000 last year (pictured below).
It was sold by Rod Taylor and John Kalpakis form Ray White. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-mernda-126709370" target="_blank">The 15 Heals Road house </a>comes with three bedrooms, formal lounge and double steel garage.
<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/2018/2/26/15%20heals%20road.jpg" alt="">
The new Mernda Train Station and proposed town centre are within walking distance.
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Mernda sees biggest stock decrease in Victoria

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Highest and lowest turnover of housing stock: Lowest turnover over the past 12 months in resource towns while lifestyle markets and new housing areas seeing higher levels of turnover
Research out today by CoreLogic shows that over the past year a shortage of properties coming to market for sale is beginning to impact on property market conditions with most capital cities and major regional areas of the country affected. Added to this, affordability constraints appear to be preventing some market segments from being more active.
Over the 12 months to June 2016, just 4.9% of total dwelling stock nationally transacted. Based on this figure it would take around 20.5 years for the total national housing stock to turnover.
According to CoreLogic property market analyst Cameron Kusher, the low turnover rate also highlights why price-based measurements such as median prices are not the most reliable for tracking value movements across the housing market given that so little of the total housing stock actually transacts in any given year.
Note: A turnover figure is different to the often quoted average hold period figure. Turnover looks at the proportion of total stock which is selling while the hold period calculation looks only at those homes transacting and measures the length of time between sales. The two figures highlight that there are properties which transact on a more regular basis while there are others which rarely sell.
For today’s summary, CoreLogic highlights the 25 council areas nationally that had the lowest turnover of housing stock over the year to June 2016.
<a href="/images/2016/09/29/lowest%20stock%20turnover.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/29/lowest%20stock%20turnover.jpg" alt="">
Mr Kusher said, “What is immediately noticeable is the prevalence of regions linked the resources sector. These areas have been characterised as having plenty of properties for sale but few people actively looking to buy. As a result, in some of these regions only a small overall proportion of housing stock has actually transacted.”
For this analysis, CoreLogic also identified 25 council regions to record the greatest turnover of housing stock over the past year across coastal and lifestyle markets. It also includes a number of council areas where there has been significant housing supply additions over the year.
Mr Kusher said, “The increased level of turnover in lifestyle markets indicates that the popularity of purchases in these markets has returned after many years in the doldrums.”
<a href="/images/2016/09/29/highest%20stock%20turnover.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/29/highest%20stock%20turnover.jpg" alt="">
“We’re anticipating that turnover will remain low in mining towns due to a lack of willing buyers. On the other hand, new housing areas and lifestyle markets are expected to continue to see relatively high levels of turnover throughout the coming year.”
 
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Shortage of properties coming to market for sale impacting on conditions: CoreLogic

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GUEST OBSERVER
Anyone questioning the health of the economy needs to be pointed in the direction of the home building sector. More homes are being built than ever before, with almost $44 billion of work currently in the pipeline.
There are signs that activity is topping out – but at high levels with a record amount of work to be completed.
Investors should display a healthy degree of caution because there is a huge amount of new housing stock to be absorbed over the next few years. Rental vacancy rates need to be watched closely.
The monthly consumer confidence data has lost relevance given that a weekly version is released with a similar sampling regime. As noted yesterday, confidence has fallen over recent weeks due to financial market volatility and a lower Australian dollar.
<a href="/images/2016/01/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-21%20at%209.19.26%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/01/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-21%20at%209.19.26%20AM.png" alt="">
What do the figures show? 
Building starts
Dwelling starts (commencements) rose by 0.5 percent in the September quarter after a 0.2 percent increase in the June quarter. Work started on a record 215,053 new dwellings over the year to September, up 13.4 percent on the previous year.
At present a record 194,252 homes are under construction.
Across Australia, starts in the September quarter rose in five states: NSW (up 2.4 percent); Victoria (down 3.8 percent); Queensland (down 1.0 percent); South Australia (up 1.2 percent); Western Australia (up 1.7 percent); Tasmania (down 20.7 percent); Northern Territory (up 17.4 percent); and the ACT (up 0.7 percent).
In the year to September, dwelling starts were higher than the decade average in all the states &amp; territories except for South Australia (down 2.9 percent). Starts were at record highs in NSW and Victoria.
Dwelling starts in NSW in the year to September were 60.7 per cent above the decade average.
The value of commercial building starts edged up from $28.88 billion to $28.95 billion in the year to September. The annual total of commercial building starts is near 9-year lows.
<a href="/images/2016/01/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-21%20at%209.20.29%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/01/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-21%20at%209.20.29%20AM.png" alt="">
Consumer sentiment:
The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence fell by 3.5 percent in January after falling by 0.8 percent in December. The confidence index is up 4.3 percent on a year ago.
The current conditions index fell by 5.1 percent while the expectations index fell by 2.4 percent.
Four of the five components of the index fell in January:
<ul>
<li>The estimate of family finances compared with a year ago was down by 9.4 percent;</li>
<li>The estimate of family finances over the next year was downby 2.3 percent;</li>
<li>Economic conditions over the next 12 months was down by 5.0 percent;</li>
<li>Economic conditions over the next 5 years was up by 0.39 percent;</li>
<li>The measure on whether it was a good time to buy a major household item was down by 1.7 percent.</li>
</ul>
State sentiment levels: NSW (up 3.3 percent), Victoria (down 1.0 percent), Queensland (down 3.1 percent), Western Australia (up 3.5 percent) and South Australia (down 3.0 percent).
Job market outlook: The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Unemployment Expectations Index rose by 0.7 percent in January but was 5.3 percent below its value a year ago.
The ‘time to buy a dwelling’ index rose by 13.9 percent to the highest reading since May 2015.
What is the importance of the economic data?
Westpac and the Melbourne Institute release the Index of Consumer Sentiment each month. According to Melbourne Institute: “The survey of consumer sentiment was first undertaken in 1973 and was conducted on a quarterly basis until 1976, a six-weekly basis from 1976 to 1986, and has been conducted monthly ever since.” Confident consumers may be more inclined to spend, especially on major items.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics releases data on dwelling commencements (starts) each quarter. The figures provide guidance on future construction activity. If construction begins on new houses or apartments, it signifies work for building trades.
What are the implications for interest rates and investors?
Strong home building activity will support the economy over the next 12-18 months. As a result, CommSec expects no change to interest rate settings in coming months.
There could be an ‘ingestion’ problem as residential projects get completed. If investors can’t find tenants, new homes may be put up for sales, depressing home prices.
<a href="/images/2016/01/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-21%20at%209.24.15%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/01/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-21%20at%209.24.15%20AM.png" alt="">
Craig James is the chief economist at <a href="https://www.comsec.com.au/default.aspx" target="_blank">CommSec</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Our record number of home construction: Commsec's Craig James

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The community housing group SGCH has secured a $60 million loan from Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to upgrade the environmental credentials of its existing housing stock and build an additional 200 homes.
The first of the new dwellings will be built in the Sydney suburb of Peakhurst.
It the first time the CEFC has funded residential property, chief operating officer Meg McDonald said. The CEFC is keen to further investment in the residential property sector.
Last November, SGCH secured a $61 million, three-year facility with Westpac Bank to build 275 houses in the Sydney metropolitan area for low-income key workers in sectors such as childcare. 
The latest funding permits SGCH to build better-designed dwellings in Peakhurst that will cost up five per cent more upfront, but which would repay that within five years.
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