A wave of investment, renewal and precinct growth continues to shape the northern edge of Macquarie Park, where daily life is supported by a rare combination of university activity, corporate employment, major retail, and expansive green corridors. It’s this convergence of amenity and connectivity underpins the setting for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a>, which has now topped out and is tracking toward completion in mid-2026.

Within this pocket of the precinct, residents move easily between the area’s key anchors. Macquarie Centre, home to more than 360 retailers, fresh food offerings, dining and entertainment, sits at the heart of local convenience and functions as a major transport interchange. The Metro, T1 rail line and extensive bus network place much of Sydney within quick reach, while surrounding arterial links support direct access to neighbouring districts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=5829]

Green space remains a defining feature of the immediate environment. Lane Cove National Park stretches along the northern boundary of the precinct, offering bushland trails, cycling routes and quiet riverfront pockets. Shrimptons Creek and the campus grounds of Macquarie University extend these recreational networks, softening the urban setting and creating a daily connection to nature that informs the project’s architectural response.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> have shaped La Vera around these contrasts. The building’s northern elevation adopts an organic, curvilinear form that mirrors the natural topography of the national park. Three sculpted forms soften the tower’s profile and encourage a stronger transition between indoor living areas, balconies and the broader landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=223737]

Cox Director Felipe Miranda says the building’s outlook played a central role in the design process.

“The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park… The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies,” Felipe Miranda of Cox Architecture said.

Toward the city-facing side, the design shifts to a more urban expression. A gridded facade and extensive glazing capture CBD views, creating a dual strategy that blends ecological outlooks with metropolitan orientation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=5827]

La Vera delivers 169 residences across one- to four-bedroom layouts, reflecting the needs of young families, downsizers, first-home buyers and investors seeking long-term certainty within a high-amenity location. From the project, residents can walk to Macquarie University, Macquarie Hospital and nearby corporate offices, reach national park trails within minutes, and enjoy retail and dining without relying on a car.

The project is delivered by Urban Property Group, a 4.5-star iCIRT-rated developer-builder with more than three decades of experience. The company has become a leader in adopting 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), first introduced on its Parq Bexley development and now embedded into its pipeline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=223727]

La Vera is the first development in Macquarie Park approved to offer this 10-year LDI policy, adding another layer of protection for purchasers and reinforcing the transparency of the construction process.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias says this assurance has become increasingly important for buyers navigating the off-the-plan market.

“Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been… Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share,” Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said.

Urban Property Group's in-house construction team is forecasting a mid-2026 completion, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/home789">HOME789</a> appointed as the project marketer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

Staff Writer

La Vera delivers a nature-connected address within Macquarie Park’s core

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA</a>&nbsp;doesn’t just rise over North Sydney, it redefines it. Now in its final release, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>’s $1 billion architectural statement is not just complete, but already reshaping the way people live, connect and dine in this rapidly evolving harbourside CBD.

Positioned beside the new Victoria Cross Metro Station and boasting panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, Aura’s 386 residences crown a mixed-use precinct designed with unapologetic ambition. The curvaceous sandstone-inspired form by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, paired with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richard Stanisich</a>’s understated interiors, sets a design tone that’s both monumental and intimate.

At its peak, literally, the two penthouses so spectacular they command their own names; La Davina and Il Magnate. The residents are spread across the&nbsp;entire top floor, offering what many consider the most refined residences ever built in North Sydney. Designed by Richard and Kirsten Stanisich, each four-bedroom home is meticulously crafted to evoke calm, space, and permanence.&nbsp;

<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/VB70993aG-I?si=adRBlXQliYmYvaSz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The kitchens are fully wrapped in natural stone, with integrated Gaggenau appliances, Sub-Zero fridges, concealed sculleries, and even a zip hydro tap delivering boiling, chilled and sparkling water on demand. A linear stone fireplace anchors the open-plan living space, dividing lounge and dining zones with quiet sophistication.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292861]

The master suite, meanwhile, feels more like a private retreat, complete with a custom stone makeup vanity, walk-through dressing area, and spa-inspired ensuite with heated stone floors, a freestanding Villeroy &amp; Boch tub, and timber veneer joinery throughout.

Kirsten Stanisich, Director of Richards Stanisich, said the penthouses offer incredible scale reflective of a single residence.&nbsp;

“We sought inspiration for these remarkable residences from the classic top-floor Parisian apartment," Stanisich said.

"We looked at what made these French apartments so elegant and found it really came down to their scale. It was ultimately this generosity of space that we used for the AURA penthouses, where we’ve designed considered rooms with deep large-scale proportions."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=310337]

Everyday living at Aura feels no less elevated. A dedicated 24-hour concierge, Technogym fitness centre, sky dining terraces, and a resort-style pool serve a lifestyle designed to rival luxury hotels.

At street level, Aqualand’s own hospitality arm, Etymon Projects, curates a precinct of LA-style bistros, Japanese fine dining, and local wine bars, all seamlessly integrated into the building’s sculptural podium.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=310337]

This final chapter, aptly dubbed The Finale, is more than a sales phase, it’s an invitation to two of the most exclusive apartments ever to be built in North Sydney.

With limited residences remaining, buyers can access curated incentives including stamp duty rebates, rental guarantees, legal fee coverage, and even $20,000 towards dining within the precinct.

From generous one-bedders to The Icons, two singular penthouses priced well into prestige territory, Aura’s offerings reflect a scale and calibre rarely seen in urban Sydney. And with move-in now immediate, this is no longer a promise of future luxury. It’s happening.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]

Aqualand unveils penthouse collection at AURA By Aqualand in North Sydney

There’s no sign of the development wave that began several years ago slowing along Old Burleigh Road.

Around 10 new apartment developments are either underway or preparing to launch along the 800-metre strip stretching from the southern edge of Surfers Paradise towards the heart of Broadbeach, collectively adding just shy of 1,000 new apartments to the beachfront corridor.

The latest plans propose a further 30 apartments to replace an original six-unit walk-up on a 658 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/20a-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">20A Old Burleigh Road</a>. The 14-storey building has been designed by Ferro Chow Architecture, which recently joined the Elevation Architecture Group.

The developer behind the project is Geoffrey Booth, whose Future Liv In has focused on delivering rental accommodation across regional Australia.

<img alt="Old Burleigh Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="99d393e7-d404-43bc-80cb-6255c39b83d6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2012.28.44%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ZFT8F3mOny4M4ut.kFF3woC9WH9oR5gT" />

The Old Burleigh Road development will comprise 18 two-bedroom apartments, 10 three-bedroom apartments, and a single four-bedroom residence occupying the entirety of level 12. Above, the building will be crowned by a two-storey penthouse with its own private lift, several multi-purpose rooms, and two rooftop terraces — one featuring a puppy lawn and spa, the other offering a private swimming pool, sunset deck, and built-in barbecue.

Resident amenities will be located on the second level and include a pool with adjoining spa, cabana, and pool deck, along with an indoor residents’ lounge featuring a bar and an alfresco barbecue kitchen.

In the architectural statement submitted by Elevation Architecture, the project is referred to as “UMI”, which the firm says has been “inspired by the majestic hinterlands and shaped by the coastal climate”.

“It is an exemplar of how community living can still feel at one with nature, breathable, and deeply connected in place,” the architects noted.

They added that the site benefits from established building separation to adjoining towers, helping to maintain privacy, sunlight, and residential amenity, while still offering direct beach access within an urban setting.

“Drawing inspiration from the Gold Coast hinterlands and the region’s natural landscape, the podium and tower detail highlights the contrasting elements of treetop green and cliff-face peach. The vibrant texture and materiality shaped by time has a richness in depth and character.”

<img alt="Old Burleigh Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3d6c923-a0ab-4d74-86da-177313447e8e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2012.28.38%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=i2fygmoVQM6hWpbATTAW_yTitoMTrnI1" />

Old Burleigh Road has become a hotspot for developers, with the three-tower Jewel development kickstarting a wave of projects up and down the strip when it was completed in 2020.

Currently under construction and approaching completion is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/faro-broadbeach-123-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">FARO Broadbeach</a> by 5Point and Bottega, 21 large-scale half- and full-floor apartments. 5Point is also behind the recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lumara-108-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Lumara</a>, another 37 apartments to add to the pipeline.

Luxury builder GRAYA is progressing construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/enclave-by-graya-118-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enclave</a>, its first Gold Coast tower, while Polycell remains the most active developer on the street. They are preparing to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sandpiper-broadbeach-155-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Sandpiper</a>, a 50-storey redevelopment of the former Sandpiper Holiday Resort that will deliver around 200 apartments alongside extensive resident amenity. The group also has another 130-apartment project approved nearby, as does <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/dvb-approved-for-second-broadbeach-apartment-development">Dean Gallagher’s DVB Projects</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Old Burleigh Road apartment development wave continues

Sunshine Coast developer Habitat Development Group continues to position itself as one of the region’s largest new apartment developers.

Its latest project is in Maroochydore, where it is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-millwell-2-millwell-road-east-maroochydore-qld-4558">The Millwell</a>. Adjacent to the new 53-hectare Maroochydore City Centre project, Habitat is planning a further 180 apartments on a 3,468 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/132-136-aerodrome-road-maroochydore-qld-4558">132–136 Aerodrome Road</a>. The site was purchased with approval for a smaller 13-storey, 103-unit building.

Habitat will demolish the two existing retail centres, currently home to the Salvation Army Family Store and Neighbours Aid, and replace them with an 18-storey building featuring the significant rooftop amenities that have become a hallmark of Habitat developments in recent years. The rooftop will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, anchored by an infinity swimming pool.

<img alt="Maroochydore" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad434d07-666b-4614-b33e-530ad6a2d261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2010.12.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7pyLsPWKQuwv0us3_v.9DmbzEc2VZe9Z" />

There will be a mix of one- to four-bedroom apartments.

The Development Assessment Report, submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, says the proposal&nbsp;is not speculative, but a response to both zoning intent and demonstrated housing need.

“The proposed development represents an appropriate and logical intensification of the site, consistent with the planning framework and the intended urban outcomes for the locality.”

Across the Sunshine Coast, councils are increasingly scrutinising not just height or yield, but whether new projects genuinely align with the long-term structure plans underpinning growth corridors. The&nbsp;ASTP Planning Report&nbsp;reinforces the approach, noting that the project has been shaped around site responsiveness rather than generic typology.

“The development has been designed to respond to the physical constraints and opportunities of the site, while delivering a high-quality residential outcome that integrates with the existing and emerging urban context.”

<img alt="Habitat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a03fc54-4ca5-4868-88d0-eeced70604e2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-05%20at%2010.12.28%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=1pkK3lJrrZjkghTLBReM2zatcas4Nc4B" />

In mid-2025, Habitat, a developer that also builds its own projects, commenced construction on The Millwell, located just over one kilometre from the new proposal. The Millwell will comprise more than 200 apartments across two eight-storey buildings.

Habitat also has two projects on Lake Kawana in Birtinya: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-clair-birtinya-930-931-waterside-retreat-birtinya-qld-4575">St Clair</a>, a 200-unit, two-building development launched last year and set to welcome buyers this year; and Esperance, a 175-apartment project currently progressing through the development approval process.

First look: Habitat continues to bolster Sunshine Coast apartment pipeline with Maroochydore development plans

John Camilleri, the breeder of legendary racehorse Winx, is set to deliver a landmark two-tower beachfront development that would redefine the Surfers Paradise skyline.

Camilleri, who spent around $100 million acquiring development sites across the Gold Coast in 2025, has lodged plans for two new towers on the dress-circle stretch of Garfield Terrace, just two days before Christmas.

In assembling the site, Camilleri's Celestino Developments has effectively acquired the 71 Garfield project by Iris Capital and AALTO by Weiya Holdings, creating an unrivalled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">4,000 sqm beachfront holding along Garfield Terrace</a>.

The proposal comprises two residential towers of 55 and 48 storeys, linked by a dramatic skybridge which will home “exclusive VIP and wellness amenities.”

In total, the development would deliver 275 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments across the two towers, rising above a shared landscaped podium that incorporates a central green space and a beachfront swimming pool stretching more than 90 metres.

<img alt="DBI" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="097900f3-6bef-4919-b168-b08f2f762876" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.37.58%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=et0SpmcvaPPVrexI_zWi46BVFtZBxAzx" />

Architecture firm DBI, in documents submitted to Gold Coast City Council, said the project at 63–79 Garfield Terrace would “establish a new benchmark for beachfront residential living on the Gold Coast.”

"The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience. Together, the 48-storey North Tower and 55-storey South Tower form a distinctive twin-tower composition whose dynamic silhouette will make a significant contribution to the Surfers Paradise skyline."

DBI said the architectural language draws inspiration from the fluidity and movement of the coastal landscape.

"Each tower is defined by organic, curving forms and continuous balcony ribbons that wrap the buildings, providing deep shading, enhancing environmental performance, and reinforcing the rhythmic, sculptural expression of the façade. These balcony forms also reduce the apparent mass of the towers while maintaining strong visual continuity from podium to summit. Sculpted reflective downturns run along the western spine of both towers, shifting and lifting as they extend upwards to frame service zones and open eastward to maximise ocean views."

<img alt="Garfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a2a00ce3-a0e9-45d6-b4b5-b7baed592ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DnruWV1dhLrtXOeElwekyd7vPq2gw55t" />

The project’s most striking feature is the skybridge at level 45, which will house executive lounges, formal dining spaces, wellness facilities and panoramic ocean-facing views.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI added.

The podium will host an extensive suite of recreational amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a large open green lawn, and the signature 90-metre pool stretching along the beachfront. The pool is divided into lap, lounge and children’s zones.

The southern end of the podium will accommodate additional wellness facilities, including a gymnasium, plunge pools, treatment rooms and a dedicated yoga lawn.

<img alt="Garfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee1b4f25-231f-4804-83b1-a573a1481962" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.55.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zObzIA3D5w7EwqPsHjr2pKrA4vbB28zL" />

There will be 127 apartments in the North Tower and 148 in the South Tower, including multiple penthouses, while the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages will be activated by a series of food and beverage tenancies.

Camilleri emerged as the most active site acquirer on the Gold Coast in 2025. He spent just over $30 million acquiring Pacific Point, a 10-level Surfers Paradise apartment block and an adjoining three-level duplex, from fellow racing identity and Aquis billionaire Tony Fung. Plans are now underway for a 93-apartment, 40-storey tower on the 1,682 sqm site.

He also paid $53.65 million for the 1,500 sqm Garfield Terrace site previously marketed as AALTO by Weiya Holdings, before acquiring the adjoining parcel from hotel billionaire Sam Arnaout’s Iris Capital, the developer behind V&amp;A Broadbeach.

First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge

Loan Approval

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From Wednesday, an additional 10,000 loan guarantees from the Morrison Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme are now available for first home buyers over the next 12 months.
The scheme has so far provided 10,000 guarantees to eligible first home buyers to allow them to purchase a modest home with a deposit of as little as five per cent.
It can also be used in conjunction with the Morrison Government’s First Home Super Saver Scheme and HomeBuilder, and first home buyers may also be eligible for state and territory grants and concessions.
In the first year of operation, data also shows that guaranteed loans went to applicants whose income were well below the Scheme’s caps. The average income of single applicants is $66,488 ($125,000 cap) and for couples $109,410 ($200,000 cap).
The scheme has proven most popular with first home buyers under the age of 30 years of age who secured 59 per cent of guarantees, and 12 per cent of guarantees have been secured by Australians over the age of 40.
The largest amount of applications for guaranteed loans, 45 per cent, were made through mortgage brokers.
For more information and eligibility criteria visit <a href="https://www.nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/fhlds/" target="_blank">NHFIC’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme website</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Extra 10,000 FHB loan guarantees released for First Home Deposit Scheme

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<div class="x_WordSection1">
 
The number of loans (commitments) by home owners (owner-occupiers) fell by 2.1 per cent in August. Loans are down by 10.2 per cent on the year – the biggest fall in 7½ years.
Owner-occupier loans fell by 2.7 per cent – the biggest fall in 2½ years - and investment loans fell by 1.1 per cent, a sixth successive decline. 
The average credit card balance fell by $5.90 to $3,217.82 in August, down from $3,223.73 in July and $3,278.35 in June. 
China’s international trade surplus rose by US$3.8 billion to US$31.69 billion (forecast: US$19.40 billion) in September. Over the year to September, exports rose by 14.5 per cent (forecast: +8.9 per cent) and imports increased by 14.3 per cent (forecast: +15.0 per cent). China’s imports from Australia rose by 2.9 per cent to US$8.8 billion.
Credit card data is important for the retail and financial sectors. The home lending figures have implications for builders, housing-reliant businesses, finance providers, retailers, and companies dependent on consumer and business spending. 
</div>
<div class="x_WordSection2">
What does it all mean?
In its semi-annual update on the health of the Australian economy, the Reserve Bank said that a slowdown in Australia’s housing market is a “positive development for financial stability”. So policymakers will be pleased with developments so far, with home prices ‘normalising’ in Sydney and Melbourne and demand for loans from indebted home owners falling to 7½-year lows.
Overall, tighter lending conditions, increasing mortgage rates and falling home prices are impacting housing demand, inventory levels and home building. And loans for the construction of new homes plunged in August, confirming the recent declines in building approvals. But pockets of strength remain. Annual home prices are still up in Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide. In fact, home lending in Canberra increased during August.
While credit conditions have tightened, the Reserve Bank has refuted suggestions of a ‘credit crunch’ noting “only the risky borrowers have actually been constrained by the tightening in lending standards, as most borrowers take out loans well below the maximum that are offered by lenders”. And the average home loan size across Australia - at $395,800 - is just below record highs of $400,100 in May, implying that Aussies are still taking out significant loans. But househoulds appear more cautious about credit card debt with balances falling for successive months. 
What do the figures show?
Housing finance – number
The number of loans (commitments) by home owners (owner-occupiers) fell by 2.1 per cent in August. Loans are down by 10.2 per cent on the year – the biggest fall in 7½ years (November 2010). 
Excluding refinancing of dwellings, the number of loans fell by 2.9 per cent – the largest fall in eight months.
Loans by owner-occupiers for the construction of homes fell by 6.2 per cent – the biggest fall in six months.
Loans to buy newly-erected dwellings rose by 0.3 per cent, the first increase in six months.
Loans for the purchase of established dwellings (excluding refinancing) fell by 2.5 per cent – the largest fall in eight months.
The number of refinancing transactions fell by 0.6 per cent.
Changes in home loans across the country: NSW (down 1.0 per cent); Victoria (down 3.0 per cent); Queensland (down 4.8 per cent); South Australia (up 1.9 per cent); Western Australia (down 0.3 per cent); Tasmania (down 2.2 per cent); Northern Territory (down 10.6 per cent); ACT (up 2.7 per cent).
Housing finance – value
The value of new housing commitments (owner occupier and investment) fell by 2.1 per cent in August.
Owner-occupier loans fell by 2.7 per cent – the biggest fall in 2½ years - and investment loans fell by 1.1 per cent, a sixth successive decline. Over the year to August, owner-occupier loans declined by 3.9 per cent - the steepest decline in 21 months – while investor loans have declined by 20.5 per cent, the largest decline in over two years. 
The value of loans by owner-occupiers and investors to build new homes fell by 7.9 per cent in August to $2.82 billion to be down 11.8 per cent on the year – the largest annual decline in six years. 
Housing finance – other statistics
The value of cancelled loans totalled $1.408 billion in August, up from $1.365 billion a year earlier.
Commitments actually advanced (loans made) totalled $20.6 billion, up by 1.0 per cent on a year earlier.
The proportion of first-time buyers in the home loan market eased from 18.0 per cent in July to 17.8 per cent in August (decade-average 17.8 per cent) – just below six-year highs. 
The proportion of fixed rate loans rose from 11.8 per cent in July to 12.3 per cent in August.
And the average home loan across Australia fell from $396,100 in July to $395,800 in August to be up 7.1 per cent on the year.
Credit &amp; debit card lending:
The average credit card balance fell by $5.90 to $3,217.82 in August, down from $3,223.73 in July and $3,278.35 in June.
Of credit cards attracting interest charges, the average outstanding balance fell by $25.96 in August to $2,008.62.
The average credit card limit rose by $14.38 to $9,496.10 in August.
Usage of credit card limits stood at 34.0 per cent in July.
The number of credit card accounts stood at 16.013 million in August.
The number of debit card accounts stood at 37.262 million in August.
The number of ATM transactions in August was down by 1.2 per cent over the year. Transactions have been consistently falling in annual terms for over six years.
The number of debit card purchases in August were 15.2 per cent higher than a year ago with the value up by 11.5 per cent.
In August 15.2 transactions per account were made on credit cards (on average) with 15.2 transactions per account also made on debit cards.
<h1>What is the importance of the economic data?</h1>
The Reserve Bank releases data on credit and debit card transactions each month. The credit card figures are useful in highlighting consumer borrowing and spending trends.
Housing Finance data is produced monthly by the Bureau of Statistics and shows commitments by lenders, such as banks, to provide finance for housing purposes. The lending figures relate to those looking to buy or build homes to live in as well as those seeking to buy or build homes for investment purposes. Generally people get their finance organised first, so the figures are regarded as a leading indicator on the housing market.
<h1>What are the implications for interest rates and investors?</h1>
The rebalancing in the housing market continues. Home prices are rising in some cities and towns, but falling in others. Housing credit growth continues to slow as demand for finance by both both investors and owner-occupiers’ declines. Lending standards are being tightened amid firmer regulatory oversight.
And the major banks have begun lifting mortgage rates, following a sustained increase in funding costs as rising official interest rates overseas increase the cost of borrowing in global financial markets.
The Reserve Bank continues to closely monitor the Aussie housing market and the debt levels of households. We expect a continued orderly slowdown with a soft landing still expected in Sydney and Melbourne. But there are risks that a sharper-than-anticipated downturn could adversely impact home borrowers’ equity, weighing on household confidence and spending.
CommSec doesn’t expect a change in interest rates until at least November 2019.
<div>
Ryan Felsman is a Senior Economist for CommSec
 
<div> </div>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Home lending approvals hit seven year low: CommSec

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The online mortgage marketplace, HashChing has partnered with global information solutions company, Equifax, that will provide its brokers with efficient, secure digital access to their clients’ complete 90-day transaction history.
The new service will automatically arrange any income and expense items within into 91 individual categories and flag risk factors, before they start filing for a loan. 
It will enable a more accurate understanding of an applicant’s financial position, allowing brokers to recommend the best loan products for individual borrowers.
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The HashChing chief Mandeep Sodhi, said he anticipated brokers will" feel better supported and have the tools needed to deliver an improved customer experience."
Specifically, they will be able to turn loan proposals around faster, make better and more accurate loan product decisions, identify and avoid fraud, and help borrowers capture all relevant income and expenses.
“This will assist in protecting households from unnecessary mortgage stress by helping ensure they aren’t taking on loans that they can’t repay.”
HashChing anticipates automating the collation of bank statements and categorisation of income and expenditure receipts will save its brokers an average of 45 minutes especially when there are multiple bank accounts and multiple applicants.
The new approach uses state of the art MOGO technology, enabling the automatic collection and categorisation of income and expense receipts in an instant.
HahChing's Sohi had suggested it "had been near impossible to ensure a borrower is complying with regulations by disclosing all income and expenses."
The move follows the current Royal Commission into Australia’s major banks that found that often brokers failed to accurately verify a borrower’s income.
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Accurate credit checks become crucial following Royal Commission: HashChing

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The latest housing loan approvals chart from the Reserve Bank of Australia shows an intersection of approval levels for owner occupiers and investors in early 2015.
Total housing loan applications for investors and owner occupiers was just under $25 billion for the around 2002 to 2015.
<a href="/images/2015/08/13/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-13%20at%2011.32.57%20AM.png" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/08/13/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-13%20at%2011.32.57%20AM.png" alt="">
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