Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Interest Rates

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UBank have announced it will reduce variable rate loans by 0.25% bringing the standard variable headline rate for new Owner Occupier P&amp;I loans down to 3.74 percent p.a. including a discount of 0.43 percent p.a as part of a value offer.
The new standard variable rate will be effective Monday 16 May 2016. 
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

UBank to pass on 0.25 percent p.a. rate reduction to variable rate customers

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Dr Philip Lowe, the RBA deputy governor since early 2012, takes over the nation's most important economic job in September when governor Glenn Stevens retires.
Both Mr Stevens and his predecessor have endorsed the appointment.
The former governor Ian Macfarlane told The Australian Financial Review "he is absolutely the right person for the job.
"He is an outstanding economist and a very sensible and pragmatic policy maker," Mr Macfarlane said.
After considering a candidate list drawn up by Treasury, the Treasurer Scott Morrison settled on Lowe in a decision that has wide spread support.
"Dr Lowe is well regarded in the central banking community, financial markets, and the Australian business community, and will reinforce existing confidence in the institution," Mr Morrison said.
The University of NSW undergraduate economics medallist joined the Reserve Bank more than three decades ago and has a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Philip Lowe gets top job at RBA

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Australia’s federal government clearly sees its program of annual reductions in the company tax rate as the core element in its plan for “jobs and growth”.
There is now a large – though by no means uncontested – body of evidence to support the contention that reductions in company tax rates can support faster rates of GDP growth and higher wages. It does this by stimulating higher levels of investment and hence higher levels of labour productivity.
But there is very little evidence supporting the favouring of small businesses over large in this regard. The significant preference which both this budget and its predecessor have extended to small businesses appears to owe much more to a desire to bow before small business than to any unambiguous economic rationale.
Small businesses have accounted for only 18% of the increase in employment over the most recent five years for which data are available, while firms with more than 200 employees – which the ABS defines as “large” – have accounted for 52 percent of the increase in total employment over the past five years, despite accounting for less than 32% of total employment. And large businesses are more likely to engage in “innovative activities” than small ones, especially ones with four or fewer employees.
In other words, if the government wanted to cut company taxes in a way that was most likely to result in increased job creation or higher levels of innovation (assuming that cutting company taxes would have that effect), it should have cut company taxes for large companies ahead of small ones. But that would have been exceedingly difficult, politically, in the current climate.
<h2>Mixed messages</h2>
The other key element of the government’s ten year enterprise tax plan is the increase in the tax threshold for the second-top marginal rate from $80,000 to $87,000. The government says this will prevent “average full time wage earners … from moving into the second highest tax bracket”. But when you consider the difference between gross and taxable incomes, and that most people use deductions to reduce their taxable income, $87,000 is far from average.
The budget seems to be saying to people with taxable incomes of less than $80,000 – if you want to pay less tax, get yourself a negatively-geared property investment.
The budget is also arguably saying the same thing to people with taxable incomes of more than $250,000, people who have already contributed $500,000 to superannuation over the course of their lifetimes, or people who already have at least $1.6mn in their superannuation accounts. The message is if you put any more into superannuation, we are going to tax you more, but if you put it into a negatively-geared property investment, we won’t touch you, because (in the words of the Treasurer’s Budget Speech), “that would increase the tax burden on Australians just trying to invest and provide a future for their families”.
I am quite comfortable with the budget’s proposed changes to superannuation arrangements. But I can’t see why people – even wealthy people – who are “just trying to invest” through superannuation should be singled out for less generous tax treatment, while people who are doing exactly the same thing through negatively geared property (or other) investments should remain unscathed.
The Treasurer reportedly toyed with the idea of limiting “excesses and abuses” of negative gearing, with caps on claims. This would have more or less exactly paralleled what the budget seeks to do with regard to superannuation.
The decision not to go down that path was reportedly “a political – and not an economic – move”.
But it has, and will have, economic consequences.
Combined with the Reserve Bank’s latest cut in official interest rates, the budget’s decisions and non-decisions with regard to income tax cuts, superannuation and negative gearing are likely to encourage more Australians to borrow more money in order to invest in the property market. At a time when Australia has one of the developed world’s highest ratios of household debt to GDP or personal income, and amongst the developed world’s most expensive residential real estate.
Saul Eslake is vice-chancellor’s fellow, University of Tasmania, and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/saul-eslake-665" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Super and personal tax tweaks will drive more people into the property market: Saul Eslake 

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Member-owned financial services provider CUA will lower its standard variable rate for home owners by 0.25 percent from 19 May.
The new standard variable rate for owner-occupiers will be 4.81 percent p.a.
The standard variable rate for investors will fall by 0.20 percent to 5.22 percent p.a. 
Other interest rate reductions to variable home loan rates for owner occupiers and investors will be applied.
CUA’s Rate Breaker Package will be reduced by 0.24 percent to 4.37 percent p.a., effective 17 May 2016.
The Rate Breaker Package investor rate will fall to 4.67 percent p.a. 
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CUA to cut standard variable rate for home owners by 0.25 percent p.a.

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The big four banks have cut variable home loan rates following Tuesday's RBA announcement.
NAB, CBA and Westpac have all confirmed they will pass on the 25 basis point cut in full, while ANZ has chosen to withhold some of the cut to mitigate current wholesale funding pressures.
BoQ (Bank of Queensland), St George, and Ubank also followed suit, opening the door for cuts by other smaller lenders.
Sally Tindall, money editor at RateCity.com.au, said mortgage holders were carefully watching the banks’ moves.
“The fact that three of the four majors have announced they’ll pass on the full cut is a win for the majority of variable mortgage holders in Australia.
“ANZ’s decision to partially cut rates for residential customers is disappointing but not surprising. Increased global volatility has put the squeeze on their wholesale funding costs.
“It’s an industry-wide concern so there’s every chance other lenders will follow suit.
“If that happens, then it’s up to you to decide whether you want to stay with them.
“Regardless of whether your bank cuts rates or not, it’s also worth seeing what other lenders are offering, because ultimately the lower the comparison rate, the more money you’ll have left in your pocket.
“There are plenty of lenders already offering rates below 4 percent for owner-occupiers, so if you’re on a rate above 4.5 percent, the chances are you’ll still be behind, even if you do get a cut.”
To see a live list of lenders who have cut rates click <a href="https://www.ratecity.com.au/home-loans/mortgage-news/rba-cuts-the-cash-rate-which-banks-have-moved" target="_blank">here</a>.
<a href="/images/2016/05/05/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-04%20at%202.45.02%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/05/05/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-04%20at%202.45.02%20PM.png" alt="" width="724" height="256">
 
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<img src="/images/2016/05/05/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-04%20at%202.46.50%20PM.png" alt="">
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What the RBA rate cut means for your pocket: RateCity

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 GUEST OBSERVER
RBA’s decision today to drop interest rates to 1.75 percent couldn’t have come at a better time for NSW as home approvals start to fall.
The March 2016 home approvals produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have dropped to 5,235 from 5,996 in June 2015.
Detached house approvals for March sit at 2,182 in trend terms compared to 3,209 for Victoria.
Higher density approvals continue to decline in NSW from 3,676 in May 2015 to 3,054 in March 2016. It seems the drop has slowed a little and this continues the slowdown from the high point in mid-2015.
<a href="/images/2016/05/03/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-04%20at%2010.42.14%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/05/03/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-04%20at%2010.42.14%20AM.png" alt="">
The biggest drop in approvals has been in the non-residential sector where NSW dropped from a value of $832,561,000 in September 2015 to $618,651,000 in March 2016. This is a large drop particularly as Victoria recorded approvals of $790,675,000 which is well above the NSW figure. With NSW’s population much larger than Victoria’s, this is also an indication that we are not producing enough employment lands in NSW
In the light of the drops to approvals in NSW it is good news that the Reserve Bank has dropped rates by 0.25 percent to 1.75 percent. The Reserve Bank’s reduction was partly influenced by fear of a deflationary spiral and the slowing approval numbers in NSW seem to reflect this.
It is important that the NSW Government support more housing supply by simplifying the approvals system. It is still taking too long to get approvals in NSW which is causing the supply of new homes and jobs to underperform compared to Victoria.
Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=97&amp;Itemid=126#.Vdaart55dFI" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Interest rate drop couldn’t have come at a better time for NSW home approvals: Chris Johnson

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The expectations that interest rates will be at 1.5 percent by the end of this year are mounting.
The official interest rate is now a record low 1.75 percent cut yesterday from 2 percent in what was the first cut by outgoing Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens since May 2015.
National Australia Bank was the first of the Big Four lenders to pass on the rate cut in full, followed by Westpac and Commonwealth Bank.
The ANZ declined to pass the cut on in full.
"The RBA's not being blind to the cycle they're actually adjusting to the cycle," Tim Toohey, Goldman Sachs' economist, said.
He tipped a May cut.
"It's been a pretty successful adjustment period that they've helped engineer without any help on the fiscal side, and with a currency that's not doing them any favours," he told the AFR.
James McIntyre, an economist at Macquarie who foreshadowed the cut, said the RBA's willingness to move showed confidence in their efforts to tame the housing market.
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August rate cut possible: economists 

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GUEST OBSERVER
The RBA cut its cash rate by 25bps to a new record low of 1.75 percent, as we expected. 
Market pricing was 45:55 just prior to the meeting and 12 of 27 economists in the Bloomberg survey expected a cut. The motivation for the cut was the sharply lower than expected Q1 CPI print.
The RBA remained generally upbeat about the rebalancing of the economy, although they suggested that growth would probably run at a 'more moderate pace' this year. In short, although growth is solid, it has been insufficient to keep inflation on target. Continued low global inflation and rates also contributed to today's decision to cut. Given the extent of the downside surprise on Q1 CPI inflation we expect that the RBA will need to follow up with a further cut (pencilled in for Q3). Importantly, today's cut is likely to make any further monetary policy moves unlikely before the 2 July election.
Facts
The RBA cut its cash rate by 25bps to 1.75 percent, as expected by 12 of 27 economists in the Bloomberg survey (including HSBC). Immediately prior to the announcement the market was pricing in a 45 percent chance of a cut.
Implications
The RBA has, for some time now, been reluctant to consider cutting its cash rate further. But last week's sharply weaker than expected Q1 CPI print clearly changed that view. Today's cut reflects that inflationary pressures are materially weaker than expected.
Although growth remains solid, which has supported business conditions and seen the unemployment rate edge lower, it has been insufficient to lift inflation. This partly reflects that the rebalancing of growth following the mining investment boom has seen growth run at a below trend pace for three years so far. Today's statement also suggested that the RBA sees growth moderating a little in 2016. As the central bank noted in today’s statement, growth ‘is continuing in 2016, though probably at a more moderate pace’. And despite the lower unemployment rate, ‘labour market indicators have been more mixed of late.’ This may reflect the fact that the most recent declines in unemployment have had as much to do with lower participation as job gains.
The RBA also noted that risks from the housing market have abated over the past year. In our view, the booming housing market was a factor that contributed to keeping the RBA on hold late last year, even though the Q3 CPI print was also on the low side. Tightened lending standards and slower house price inflation have helped to allow the RBA room to lower rates further, without the risk of overinflating the housing market.
Low global inflation and interest rates were also a contributor to today's decision to cut. Last week's very low Q1 CPI print provides some evidence that Australia is finally being sucked into the centre of gravity of the low global rates and inflation environment. With this in mind, today's cut was needed to ensure that the AUD did not rise significantly from here, which could have weighed further on growth and inflation.
Cutting today, rather than waiting, also has the added advantage that a further RBA move prior to or just after the 2 July election is now unlikely, which helps to keep the central bank out of the way of the political process.
Nonetheless, given the scale of the downside surprise to Q1 inflation, and the continued low global inflation environment, we doubt that today's rate cut will be enough to get underlying inflation back on track. We expect the RBA may need to deliver a further 25bp cut in Q3, probably in August, following the Q2 CPI print.
Paul Bloxham is chief economist (ANZ) for HSBC. Daniel Smith is economist. They can be contacted <a href="https://www.about.hsbc.com.au/hsbc-in-australia/management-team" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Interest rate cut delivered, expect another in Q3: HSBC's Paul Bloxham

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GUEST OBSERVER
In a decision that surprised Westpac the Reserve Bank Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25bps to 1.75 percent.
However it has not retained its easing bias choosing to end the Governor’s statement with: “Taking all these considerations into account, the Board judged that prospects for sustainable growth in the economy, with inflation returning to target over time, would be improved by easing monetary policy at this meeting”.
We do not consider that to be particularly significant. After most decisions to move the rate the Board does revert back to a neutral stance. For example we saw that in February last year but that did not preclude a further cut in May. Indeed it is our view that this decision is so significant that it would not be taken without a realistic expectation that a further cut is likely.
We expect that cut will be delivered in August following the release of the June quarter inflation report. Inflation has become the most important policy driver as a result of this decision and we do not expect that the June quarter report will provide the Bank with sufficient comfort around the inflation outlook.
The best guide on this inflation approach will be provided in the forecasts in the next Statement on Monetary Policy to be released at 11.30am on May 6. In our preview to this decision we expected that the staff would advise the Board that on a ‘no policy change’ basis underlying inflation would remain below the 2–3 percent range in 2016 but drift back to around 2¼ percent in 2017.
The forecasts on Friday will entail “market pricing” which envisages a second rate cut by early next year. With two rate cuts relative to  the Bank is likely to indicate a return to the bottom of the 2-3 percent range but is also likely to put a fairly wide confidence interval around that forecast. By relying upon another rate cut to achieve the target we think it is reasonable to expect that the second rate cut will be delivered by August.
The significance of the inflation report in shaping this decision is really highlighted by the Governor’s decision to include “This follows information showing inflationary pressures are lower than expected” in the introductory paragraph. Our check of statements associated with rate moves shows that the last time a reason was highlighted in this way was May 2012, citing weak growth and inflation, and you have to go all the way back to November 2006 to see another example where upward inflation pressures were emphasised.
Further, in the Governor’s statement the recent data is described as “unexpectedly low” along with “very subdued growth in labour costs and very low cost pressures elsewhere in the world”. Given this high degree of sensitivity to the recent change in the inflation environment it is hard to believe that the Bank would not take the opportunity to cut rates further following the next inflation report.
There were some other surprising qualifications around the state of demand in the economy. We thought that the Bank was encouraged by the recent fall in the unemployment rate to 5.7 percent but the statement says: “Labour market indicators have been more mixed of late”.
We also thought that the Bank had been encouraged by the 3% growth print for 2015 but growth in 2016 is now being described as: “continuing … though probably at a more moderate pace”.
Our read of the Banks’ assessment of the household balance sheet suggested that it was concerned about the ongoing high level of household debt but the statement explicitly notes that risks of lower interest rates in the housing market have lessened.
Finally, despite the fact that the trade weighted index has actually fallen modestly since the April Board meeting, concerns around the appreciating exchange rate were once again raised. We believe that the Bank had been expecting the US Federal Reserve to resume raising rates in June. However now with the US data, outside the labour market, slowing and markets giving virtually no chance to a June move the Board is probably now formulating its decisions around a delayed rate hike from the US Federal Reserve. Without interest rate relief in Australia this environment could reasonably be expected to exacerbate concerns around the exchange rate.
We have also revised our own view that the FED will delay its decision to resume raising rates until September from the current forecast of June. While a respectable case remains for June there does not appear to be sufficient urgency from the Federal Reserve to move by June.  From there we expect that the FED will resume its six month timetable with the next move timed for March rather than December.
On the global front the Governor notes that growth forecasts have recently been revised down further and he specifically notes that recent data in China has improved but attributes that to recent actions by policymakers and emphasises that this action may only support the “near term outlook”. We certainly agree with that assessment given the emergence of a substantial property bubble in the ‘Tier 1’ cities.
Conclusion
We have been surprised by the strength of the response of the Bank to the March quarter inflation report. Having once again reverted to lower rates despite much questioning of the effectiveness of monetary policy the Governor has revealed an inclination to continue to use monetary policy in pursuit of his inflation target. With the risks around weak wages growth, global disinflation and potentially slowing demand it seems highly likely that he will choose to cut rates further with the next move timed for August.
That is likely to be the last policy move from this Governor who is scheduled to retire in September.
Bill Evans is chief economist of <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/" target="_blank">Westpac</a>.
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RBA reacts strongly to March inflation report: Westpac's Bill Evans

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GUEST OBSERVER
Mozo’s Kirsty Lamont shares the five-need-to know numbers
A year on since its last record low rate cut, the Reserve Bank has again slashed the cash rate to a new historical low 1.75 percent. Here's the five numbers you need to know: 
36 percent
Just 36 percent of lenders passed on the full rate cut last time the RBA slashed the cash rate.
$8.88 million
This is how much lenders stand to profit in additional interest each day if they play scrooge and hold onto a potential 25 bps rate cut.  In fact, three out of the Big 4 banks raked in a collective $386.7 million from failing to pass on the last RBA rate cut in full last May. 
1.18 percent
Even if lenders pass on a rate discount, home borrowers still have good reason to refinance onto a better deal with the average Big 4 variable rate 1.18 percent higher than the lowest variable rate on the market right now.
$43
This is how much an average borrower could save in monthly repayments if their lender passed on the full rate cut. Alternatively, if you ignore a 0.25 percent discount and keep your repayments the same, you could save more than $20,000 in interest over the life of the loan.   
3.60 percent
Savers can be rewarded with interest rates up to 3.60 percent despite a record low cash rate. This special rate is on ME’s Online Savings Account to customers prepared to make a weekly Tap &amp; Go purchase with their linked Debit MasterCard.
Kirsty Lamont is marketing director of <a href="https://mozo.com.au/" target="_blank">Mozo</a>.
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