Developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dasco-australia">DASCO</a> has pushed beyond the now-standard inclusions of rooftop pools and landscaped podiums at its recently launched new Epping project, Senso.

It has laid out over 4,000 sqm of resident-only amenity in a move designed to compete directly with low-density housing on livability, not just density. The result is a development that supports genuine daily use through purposeful spaces distributed across its five-building, 479-apartment precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4396]

Two rooftop pools form the anchor of Senso. One is a 27-metre lap pool adjoining a heated spa, designed for everyday fitness rather than just summer leisure. The second sits on a lower podium, allowing different buildings to share in vertical access and reducing crowding during peak times.

It is the secondary spaces that start to distinguish Senso from other large-scale suburban projects. A rooftop cinema is integrated into a landscaped terrace, offering open-air screenings with natural ventilation and passive cooling.&nbsp;

The inclusion of a “sensory walk”, an elevated boardwalk that threads through the site, suggests a rare investment in non-commercial, non-essential amenity: space for quiet movement that doesn’t double as access or traffic circulation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4402]

The gym and wellness centre, often relegated to a small ground-floor room in many builds, takes on more substance here. Residents have access to a fully equipped gym, as well as outdoor yoga areas and meditative zones that integrate greenery and natural light.&nbsp;

The Club Lounge is similarly designed to support multiple use cases, with a private dining terrace, kitchenette, workspace, and lockable wine storage. These aren’t superficial additions; their scale and spatial allocation indicate serious intent for frequent resident use.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4391]

Importantly, Senso’s amenities are embedded within a site that spans more than 10,000 sqm, allowing for better separation between spaces and reduced noise spillover, a critical but often overlooked factor in high-density developments. This spatial generosity also enables multiple alfresco kitchens and communal terraces without compromising individual privacy or usable space.

While many developments make claims about lifestyle, few back it with this level of built infrastructure. Senso’s mix of dedicated fitness, wellness, social and passive green spaces suggests a conscious response to the post-pandemic shift in housing expectations, especially among owner-occupiers.&nbsp;

DASCO is one of several leading developers who have taken out Resilience Insurance's Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing buyers with a 10-year structural and waterproofing warranty, and giving them the ultimate peace of mind.

Senso is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134954]

Staff Writer

The outdoor amenities elevating life at Senso, Epping

Following the proposal by the Minns Labor Government to rezone Parramatta Road to create up to 8,000 new homes, prominent developer Ceerose has gone to the NSW Gov to increase the density of its new mixed-use residential building in Leichhardt.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/ceerose">Ceerose</a>, founded by Edward Doueihi nearly three decades ago, has filed plans for 154 apartments above ground-floor retail at 307-315 Parramatta Road, a key corner site near Norton Street, the main high street strip in Leichhardt.

It's an upsize from the previously approved scheme of 63 apartments across a seven-storey building.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba1ae75b-5f08-43fb-b8d5-3de6d9f6ef71" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.39%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yA3hBBLPH4ev7MsAE0_hieXeqiFqBUb7" />

The project is being advanced through the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway, with concurrent rezoning sought to facilitate the proposal. The 10-storey development would rise over a four-level basement and deliver two retail tenancies, one a larger-format offering and the other a smaller “hole in the wall” space, addressing the Parramatta Road frontage. 21 of the apartments are dedicated as affordable housing.

According to the Urban Design Report by Architecture AND, the scheme includes a podium and tower configuration, with a fine-grain, two-storey parapet street wall that references the traditional shopfront rhythm along the corridor. “An elegant tower form is proposed, combined with a characterful two storey frontage... articulating it as two related buildings, providing consistency with the rhythm and grain of Parramatta Road,” the report notes.

The residential component is split across two slender towers set back from the street edge, a design move aimed at preserving solar access and reducing perceived bulk. This massing strategy also seeks to improve residential amenity by focusing scale toward the quieter northern interface, away from Parramatta Road’s noise and pollution.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="347f2f8f-5d36-4388-b40a-2e77380b9c19" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.02%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=xvyUE2ujT1lzivXTo.mHBJFF4SmfgLtz" />

Architecture AND has worked with Ceerose on previous Inner West projects, and cites a deep familiarity with the local character. Their design draws heavily on context, heritage, and sunlight access considerations, and engages with the Inner West Council’s “Our Fairer Future” strategic planning framework.

The site spans 2,712 sqm and is located near key intersections with Catherine Street, Hay Street, and Redmond Street. It adjoins a public carpark to the north and is within walking distance of Stanmore and Petersham stations. It is also flagged in state and local planning strategies, including the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, as a suitable candidate for increased density.

Ceerose recently completed The Alex Collective on McEvoy Street in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay.

The Parramatta Road corridor is coming to life with the proposed rezoning which is serviced by a significant number of bus, light rail and train routes.

Deicorp is progressing with its $1.8 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> precinct on Parramatta Road in Five Dock, as is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/toga-to-push-on-with-five-dock-mixed-use-masterplan">TOGA further down the street</a>. Those two projects alone will bring nearly 2,000 new homes to Parramatta Road.

Joel Robinson

First look: Ceerose plots mixed-use Leichhardt development on Parramatta Road

North Sydney's landmark 'SBS Building' on Alfred Street is set to be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use residential tower in the booming North Sydney.

Commercial property group FiveX is behind the plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/275-alfred-street-north-north-sydney-nsw-2060">39-storey tower</a>, the latest project to advance under the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

They are proposing 184 apartments above retail spaces, which will replace the existing 20-storey commercial building. FiveX was set up more than five decades ago by Joshua and Marko Berger. It is currently led by Joshua's son Lesli.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower at 275 Alfred Street, North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2efa0980-53fa-4cca-9f9e-9c3c845d4746" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29%20%281%29_0.png?VersionId=y_YyPMq3NQLfYRs84pP4os9UgWiMLp75" />

According to the Architectural Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">FJC Studio</a>, the slender tower form has been deliberately designed to respect the site's transitional setting at the southern gateway to the North Sydney CBD, where high-rise towers give way to lower-scale residential precincts.

"The slender tower form and articulated podium establish a respectful relationship with nearby heritage and low rise buildings, including the Whaling Road Heritage Conservation Area,” the architecture firm noted, adding that the tower “completes a missing link in the urban fabric” while enhancing the Alfred Street streetscape.

The proposed building will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with 15 percent of the gross residential floor area allocated as affordable housing. There is an agreement already in place that those apartments will be managed by Evolve Housing.

The project aligns with broader state housing objectives, including the National Housing Accord target of delivering 1.2 million new homes by 2029. The Scoping Report filed with the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) suggests the site "presents no impediments to rapid delivery,” with construction able to commence within 12 months of receiving consent.

North Sydney has been one of the most popular suburbs in Sydney for new and off the plan apartment development, but hasn't had the supply to keep up with demand, until recently.

AURA by Aqualand was, for a long time, the only off the plan apartment building on the market. That completed last year, and has sold the majority of its 386 luxury apartments. Recently ALAND launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-173-179-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> on the same street, selling over $100 million within just a few hours of its launch, while developer CASA also launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-mclaren-north-sydney-45-mclaren-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The McLaren</a>&nbsp;in the same precinct.

First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney

Kokoda Property Group has announced the Sydney-based Versatile Construction as the builder for its landmark $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a> precinct.

Construction of the 17,612 sqm site is scheduled to commence in December 2025 and is expected to be delivered in stages from 2028. Once complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a> will comprise 212 residences across four architecturally distinct buildings, alongside Brisbane’s first Kimpton Hotel, extensive retail, hospitality, and wellness amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139896 project_image_fid=295098]

Kokoda Property Group Founder and Managing Director, Mark Stevens, said appointing Versatile Construction marks a significant milestone for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a>.

“Partnering with Versatile Construction gives us confidence in delivering a precinct that sets a new benchmark for luxury living, curated experiences and vibrant riverfront activation," Stevens said.

"Together, we will bring the vision for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a> to life, creating a destination that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations."

Throughout the construction phase, more than 2,000 jobs will be created, supporting hundreds of local contractors and suppliers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139896 project_image_fid=352274]

Marco Fahd, Chairman &amp; CEO at Versatile Group, said the company is looking forward to&nbsp;expanding their footprint in the state, taking on their inaugural project in Brisbane.

"We are proud of the unwavering commitment our team of experts have to quality and certainty in delivery and are excited to work with Kokoda to bring their vision for this unique project to life," Fahd says.

Sales reached $285 million on the launch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a>, with sales momentum continuing to "exceed all expectations."

Stevens says the overwhelming response from buyers validated the group’s vision for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a>.

“The demand for a luxury product in this enclave has been extraordinary, we’ve never seen anything like it before. It reinforces everything we’re doing around quality, design, and creating genuine lifestyle precincts. Buyers are recognising the enduring value of Brisbane’s riverfront and are responding to the opportunity to live within a world-class destination that celebrates both place and lifestyle.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139896]

Kokoda appoints builder for $1.5 billion Teneriffe Banks waterfront precinct

Castle Hill’s booming development market is set for another boost, with builder-developer Buildex proposing a new mid-rise apartment building near Castle Towers.

Buildex has submitted plans to The Hills Shire Council for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/197-old-northern-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">nine-storey building comprising 57 apartments</a> on Old Northern Road. The company acquired two adjoining sites earlier this year, totalling more than 2,683 sqm.

Texco Design has prepared the scheme, which includes five one-bed plus study apartments, 37 two-bedrooms, and 15 three-bedrooms.

Castle Hill has become a hotspot for developers in recent years, undergoing significant transformation driven by the opening of the Hills Showground Precinct to development and the introduction of two metro stations servicing the suburb.

Developers including Deicorp and Kassis Homes have already completed projects, and are progressing future developments, while Meriton, Arada, and Ellipse are currently delivering new projects in the rapidly evolving area.

First look: Buildex plans 57 apartments near Castle Towers

Macquarie Group

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The listed estate agency, The Agency has secured a further extension to its funding from Macquarie Bank.
The terms are similar to its current arrangement which was due to expire latest this month, the shareholders have been advised.
In March it advised the Macquarie Bank debt facilities totalled $12.65 million.
The Agency Group Australia confirmed the extension of its primary banking facility by a further six months.
The Agency managing director, Paul Niardone advised this week the board has been "firmly focused on strengthening our balance sheet to support our strong operating business and future growth plans." “Through a range of measures, including the securing of new funds via the recently completed placement and the entitlement offer, conversion of debt to equity and realisation of merger related cost savings, we have successfully recapitalised the company in line with this focus.”
It recently reported gross commission income (GCI) for August of $3.9 million, its second highest month, and $7.2 million for YTD20.
Its ttotal value of sales nationally was $213 million in August with 250 exchanges,
There were 4,359 properties under management at 31st August 2019.
Cost savings were being realised with August expenses down 10 percent on June.
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The Agency secures further six months funding from Macquarie Bank

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The Agency has dipped to a record low share price of just below 7 cents on the ASX yesterday, in the week after its announcement it had secured $5.6 million in funding.
It was trading at 22 cents in mid-February and at 31 cents last September, but 6.7 cents in recent trade which values the company at $7.2 million.
Sharemarket analysis website commentary suggested the latest capital raising was foreseeable since the company had "never been adequately capitalised."
"Their overheads are crazy," one shareholder noted.
Before the announcement last week the sharemarket analysis had hoped the fundraising wasn't "too dilutive to existing holders who just keep getting watered down."
But the capital raising that saw the Sydney-based boutique investment group Magnolia Capital becoming a substantial shareholder was highly dilutive.
Magnolia Capital now have up to an 18 percent holding in The Agency, with their director Mitchell Atkins joining The Agency board as a non-executive director.
Honan Insurance Group also invested. 
The Australian newspaper reported The Agency has "secured a lifeline from Sydney boutique investment group Magnolia Capital, allowing it to extend its $12.5 million debt to Macquarie until September 30 in return for an 18 per cent stake."
It noted further debt of about $1.1 million is also owed to a range of other lenders.
“The restraints on The Agency’s growth which have been led by its (weak) balance sheet have been removed,” a spokesman for The Agency said.
In a statement to the ASX, The Agency said it was in discussions with parties to refinance its debt ahead of its maturity on September 30.
“The debt-to-equity conversion will significantly reduce The Agency’s debt position, primarily bank debt, from $21.2m to $13.6m,” The Agency told the Australian Securities Exchange.
“The company is currently in discussions with a number of parties in relation to the refinance of its remaining debt of about $13m ahead of its maturity which occurs on 30 September, 2019,” it said.
“With a strong net asset position of around $33.8m (primarily rent roll and mortgage book) it was important to get the loan-to-value ratio to below 50 per cent, which it will be following this transaction with Magnolia and Honan,” the company said.
The $5.6 million raised comes in the form of $1.1 million in placement and $4.5 million through entitlement offers.
The Agency's current $5.8 million debt will be converted into equity, reducing the total debt position by 27 percent.
It advised $2.2 million of the funds will fund further growth and acquisition initiatives.
For the quarter, the Agency reported combined total revenue of $10.8 million and gross commission income (GCI) of $10 million, both results consistent with the previous quarter.
They saw a record 674 exchanges and more than $600 million worth of property sold across the combined group for the quarter.
"I think they really need to pull a rabbit out of the hat," one Hot Cooper comment said.
Another said: "Not sure what rabbit they have in their hat now. "I like the business model but just as Mark Bouris has learned at YBR, if you are going to run a business that depends on skimming a little bit of revenue off someone else's business then you need to have a very large base to do that from, otherwise you need to be running a very very lean operation...which AU1 isn't."
There was commentary in June that suggested the estate agency had "burnt all the previous supporters" in the prior four capital raising. "I am surprised we haven't seen greater tax loss selling here," one comment suggested in June.
One estate agent advised "anyone can buy market share if you have the money."
"Their reps are on 80% commission.
"That's why they have so many of them. 
"How does a business model like that stand up? 
"All they are doing is bragging about market share. 
"That does not equate to profit and never has," the agent said.
One Agency shareholder noted the acquisitions "clouded how badly they are actually doing."
"All the trend lines are going backwards, but sure you dream on.
"I've sold out at half what I paid and I think I'm lucky to get away with that," the shareholder advised.
Another shareholder noted the difference between Ahe Agency and McGrath was that "McGrath blame the market for their poor share price instead of themselves, whereas The Agency keeps highlighting strong results in a slowing market and making acquisitions of more companies to increase their revenue in the future."
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

The Agency dips to record low share price

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National property prices will rise by at least 5 per cent next year, according to Macquarie Securities.
Macquarie said in every Australian house price cycle since 1989, price growth followed within seven months after the monthly annualised price decline bottomed.
It has however forecast that prices are likely to fall another 1 or 2 per cent in coming months, then Macquarie expects prices to stop falling over the next few months.
It says likely lower interest rates, easier lending standards and a more settled post-election environment “should see national house prices rise by at least 5 per cent by the end of 2020”.
Movements of as much as 10 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne “wouldn’t surprise us”, it says.
The Government’s first home buyer deposit scheme should also provide “some modest support”, Macquarie says.
Another factor is the relative shortage of fresh home listings in recent months as ellers have kept properties off the market amid the downturn.
Lower borrowing interest rates are likely to be the most powerful factor, Macquarie suggest.
“We assume the RBA cuts by 50 basis points in coming months and most of that is passed through to actual mortgage rates,” Macquarie says.
Macquarie says support for house price growth from APRA’s rule change will be dampened by the fact that most borrowers don’t borrow the maximum loan amount available to them.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority wrote to lenders last month, saying that instead of the 7 per cent floor (which is 7.25 per cent in practice), they would be permitted to set their own minimum interest rate floor for use in assessments.
“Nevertheless, we are conscious that housing process are determined at the margin and the effect of APRA’s changes on the marginal borrower shouldn’t be underestimated.”
The decline from the mid-2017 peak to the trough looks like being 10 per cent nationally, with Sydney’s peak to trough fall to be around 15 to 20 per cent and Melbourne’s close to 15 per cent.
If the peak-to-trough fall is 10 per cent it will be the biggest housing market fall in 40 years, it noted.
Macquarie has lowered home loan interest rates in recent months, despite the cash rate then remaining on hold.
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Macquarie tips property prices to rise 5 percent in 2020

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The Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Asset (MIRA) has moved to sell parts of the portfolio picked up when nine Hassad Australia aggregations were secured last year.
The deal was estimated to have cost the investment funds about $300 million.
Hassad, part of oil-rich Qatar’s worldwide sovereign wealth investment business, had accumulated a 300,000 hectare Australian property portfolio, but quit the last of those holdings with its sell-off to Macquarie.   
Viridis Ag, MIRA's cropping enterprise, is divesting grazing land.
“These are strategic investment decisions by the two businesses,” said CBRE Agribusiness director, Col Medway, who is marketing the NSW holdings.
“The decision to sell was made because the properties just do not fit the investment mandates and long term plans of each fund, and the vendors recognise there’s keen market demand for well developed, prime quality holdings with scale.”
The listings see Paraway Pastoral offloading 16,000 hectares of dryland and irrigated property in New South Wales.
Paraway Pastroral operates large-scale sheep and cattle enterprises and has a combined landholding of more than 4.4 million hectares.
Expressions of interest for the multi-farm parcels, or individual farms, or their water entitlements are sought by March 7.
The combined Laura Downs and Paddys River parcels are targeting prices in the vicinity of $21 million and $17 million respectively.
The third property, Bundemar Park, is a highly productive, diverse landholding with winter grand production.
Elders real estate general manager, Tom Russo, said Viridis’ Cummins parcel was sure to attract interest from multi-generation Eyre Peninsula farming families needing to expand.
“Buyers are looking for scale,” he told The Land.
Medway said CBRE Agribusiness had a record sales year in 2018.
“You’d be surprised by just how many $10 million buys, or bigger, are being transacted by family farming businesses, and others entering into the game.”
“Each of these landholdings represent an opportunity to secure a significant landholding envied for scale, productive capacity and turnkey capability.”
“The vendor will consider offers for immediate access, following an exchange of contracts, to facilitate the establishment of the purchaser’s desired winter crop program,” Medway added.
“The flexibility of the vendor to consider offers for each aggregation as a whole or as individual properties opens up each aggregation to all sectors of the market, including neighbours, family farming businesses and institutional investors.”
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Macquarie's Paraway divesting parts of Hassad farm acquisition

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Macquarie Group has quietly brought to an end its six years as an investor in Mark Bouris-led mortgage and wealth group Yellow Brick Road.
Sources said Macquarie had offloaded its remaining YBR holding, which was less than 5 per cent.
It comes at a time the company faces corporate raider Ron Brierley's Mercantile Investment Company.
At the height of its YBR holding Macquarie owned an 18.4 per cent stake.
Its sell-down began in April with a large tranche of YBR shares secured by Mercantile.
The latest Macquarie YBR divestment also throws into question other parts of the strategic partnership, according to the Australian Financial Review, as YBR talked up the company's prospects, with backing from Macquarie, of becoming a fifth pillar to rival the major banks, claims later played down by Macquarie chief executive Nicholas Moore.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Mercantile owns almost 20 per cent of YBR.
It pitched its bid at 9 cents cents per share, a 3 per cent discount to where the stock was then trading.
YBR shares are well down from their most recent peak of 17 cents in October last year.
After Bouris rejected the takeover as “grossly inadequate," YBR’s shares rose 10 per cent to 11 cents.
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Macquarie departs YBR

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<div>
The Reserve Bank of Australia won't lift rates until 2020, according to Macquarie Securities.
At least not while there is "a small but growing risk" that the central bank will be unable to tighten policy in this cycle, Macquarie says.
Ric Deverell and Justin Fabo joined many other economists of the opinion that it's going to take more time until the RBA begin's lifting rates from their current historic low of 1.5 per cent.
"The economy is gradually improving, supported by above-trend global growth," the economists wrote in a note to clients. "It's just not improving fast enough."
<div>
Falling property prices and uncertainty around the outlook for housing construction activity and credit growth "also give the RBA reason to sit pat".
A much faster than anticipated drop in unemployment and a lift in the terms of trade increase the chance of a rate rise coming earlier than expected, the economists wrote.
</div>
<div>
But equally, "the chances of a later rate hike, or no rate hike, would rise if China's deleveraging or domestic housing market developments become disorderly, or if by 2020 the US economy slows much faster than we expect".
</div>
</div>
<div>
Macquarie's change of view comes as a result of expectations that "ample spare capacity in the economy will linger", and "continue being a key factor keeping a lid on wages growth".
Achieving average CPI inflation approaching 2.5 per cent "is highly unlikely" without average annual wages growing at a pace of 3-3.5 per cent, the economists estimate.
</div>
<div>
"It appears likely that it won't be until 2020 that Australia's unemployment rate will firmly have a '4' in front of it," they stated.
This "persistent spare capacity will continue being a key factor keeping a lid on wages growth".
 
</div>
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RBA holding interest rates till at least 2020: Macquarie Securities

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The electronic property settlements provider PEXA aim to list on the ASX, has reportedly seen it asking investment banks to "pre-qualify" for a role in its slated $1 billion-plus initial public offering. 
The Australian Financial Review's Street Talk wrote PEXA's adviser, CITIC-CLSA, last week invited selected investment banks to express interest in running the IPO.
The PEXA chairman is Alan Cameron, founding head of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
The ownership group includes the big four banks, Macquarie Group, Link Administration Holdings, three state governments, and the former Toll Holdings boss Paul Little
Macquarie is PEXA's biggest shareholder with around a 25 per cent stake.
One-in-five settlements are now completed online via PEXA.
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The float is slated for the December quarter.
</div>
</div>
 
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E-conveyancer PEXA float re-scheduled for late 2018

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
House prices have stopped falling, but don't expect a bullish bounce in 2018, Macquarie have forecast.
Analysts Justin Fabo and Ric Deverell said they don't expect a repeat of the 2016 bounce back in housing price growth this year.
But they suggest prices falls have stopped after Fabo and Deverell assessed the seasonally adjusted house price data from Domain's APM and Corelogic's RP Data.
"It is now looking very likely that housing prices at the national level are again rising modestly," the analysts told their clients overnight, and republished in The Australian Financial Review. 
"Dwelling price growth and activity are quite seasonal so the data must be seasonally adjusted to get a clear read on housing price trends."
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"After seasonal adjustment, monthly growth in APM's measure of capital city dwelling prices has picked up modestly in recent months."
</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> "Utilising CoreLogic's data to mid-January shows a clear improvement in seasonally adjusted dwelling price growth, with the caveat that sales volumes in January are very low."</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> </div>
<div class="related-quotes section">They said there were three main reasons there wasn't going to be a bounce was rising interest rates, which they said will eventually be a "major stumbling block for housing prices."</div>
<div class="related-quotes section">
They cited APRA's new lending policy's are rubbing off the the banks who are tightening their criteria, as well as low yields and high interest-only lending rates.
 
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section"> </div>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

2018 house prices have stopped falling: Macquarie analysts

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The financial services firm Macquarie Group has announced the appointment of former Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens onto its board.  This was announced during the group’s half yearly financial results on Friday.
The market embraced the result with shares leaping almost 4 percent to $97.90, eclipsing the previous high of $95.50 achieved in May 2007 before the GFC. “We were very pleased that Glenn Stevens has decided to join the board, effective 1 November 2017,” said Macquarie managing director and CEO Nicholas Moore at the results briefing. 
He was the governor of the Reserve Bank between 2006 and 2016.
He also chaired the Council of Financial Regulators made up of the heads of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the Australian Securities Commission and Treasury.
Stevens led the RBA through the GFC framing the policy that took official interests rates down to the current record level of 1.5 percent.
The bank’s Australian mortgage portfolio now sits at $29.9bn, an increase of 4% from March 2017, representing approximately 2% market share. Macquarie’s business banking loan portfolio also increased by 9 percent from March 2017, putting it at $7.1bn. Total business banking for SME clients was up 3 percent during this time period.
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Glenn Stevens takes Macquarie Group directorship

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Imagine doing away with the chequebook at auctions or when paying a deposit and going online.
Macquarie Bank have come up with DEFT Auction Pay, that allows buyers to pay their deposit electronically while also giving real estate agents a secure online service to increase business efficiency.
Macquarie, which developed the DEFT payment platform to simplify rental collection, says Auction Pay is an Australian first. The new system is in the pilot phase, it says on the website.
Its main selling point is the ease of paying electronically at auctions. Buyers have the flexibility to adjust their deposit amount once the auction result is known, and they get instant confirmation their deposit being submitted. 
Macquarie says the feedback to DEFT Auction Pay from home buyers and real estate agents has been positive so far. 
The bank’s new system could be a tool for the traditional real estate agency industry to stave off competition from online selling platforms such as Purplebricks or buyMyplace.com, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Auction Pay is planned for a national rollout during the third quarter to coincide with the peak spring home-selling season.
"Technology is playing out in all market places," Macquarie head of business banking Dean Firth told the AFR. 
"What we are endeavouring to do is provide our clients with an unfair advantage. The need to invest in platforms and provide solutions to the agents so that they can deliver a service more efficiently, with a better client experience, is something that we're collaborating with all the institutes and all our clients on."
Disruptors such as the UK-headquartered Purplebricks and do-it-yourself buyMyplace.com platforms are attracting attention because of their cost-effecting and fixed fee structures, instead of the commission-based model of traditional real estate agents while selling a home. Buyers can save thousands in agent fees through the two platforms when selling their home.
But Macquarie's deep exposure to the real estate markets – it provides banking services to 40 per cent of both the residential and commercial real estate markets by turnover – mean its support for the traditional industry goes beyond technology, according to AFR.
Real Estate Institute of Australia president Malcolm Gunning said the bank had promised to put money into boosting soft skills in the industry to encourage more people to go beyond the week-long minimum certification and get their full agent qualification. 
"Macquarie is looking to invest in the education because that supports the real estate businesses in Australia," Gunning said. "We are on the road to professionalising the business and Macquarie is very keen to invest in that because it gives them security as well as opportunities."
Firth declined to confirm to AFR the bank was funding estate agent training. 
"We're definitely collaborating with the institutes around the country and our clients to improve the enablement of their business by technology," he said. 
"At the end of the day, most people who buy and sell houses still want to deal with a person. It's the augmentation of that process that they get through technology that assists and can improve the operating efficiency of the agencies directly."
Agents have reported good feedback to Auction Pay. 
"It's a great solution from the situation of people not having a chequebook available or a deposit prior to the auction," said Craig Marshall a director of Savills Cordeau Marshall on Sydney's lower north shore.
 
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