Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"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," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in 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," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

First look: Ceerose doubles down in Leichhardt with adaptive reuse of former warehouse site

Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVER 
Housing finance came in softer than expected in Feb, the total value of approvals recording a 1.7% decline in the month against expectations of a modest further rise.
The detail was soft across most segments and is despite both price gains and turnover still holding up reasonably well in the month which pre-dated any meaningful impacts from the Coronavirus outbreak.
The detail on owner occuper loans suggests slower volumes were the main driver of the soft result with the number of loans to this segment down 2% but the value down only 1.7%.
The number of approvals is still up 4.9% since the low point in May while the total value is up 22.6% (the difference implying a large rise in average loan sizes consistent with both rising prices and the stronger rebound in activity in higher priced markets such as Sydney and Melbourne).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/4/14/housing%20finance%201.png" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/4/14/housing%20finance%201.png" alt="">
Investor activity continues to be more subdued. The value of investor loans saw a slightly bigger decline in the months, down 1.9% with the value of approval up 6.3%yr compared to double digit growth for owner occupier loans.
Construction-related loans bucked the wider monthly decline, posting a 1.9% rise, likely supported at the margin but post-bushfire rebuilding activity.
Loans for the purchase of newly built dwellings fell sharply, down 8.9%mth, but were coming off very strong gains over the previous three months and are still up 29%yr (the ABS has identified some data quality concerns with this measure that are likely to see revisions in future relases).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/4/14/housing%20finance%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/4/14/housing%20finance%202.jpg" alt="">
On a combined basis, the total value of loans was up 1.7%mth and 13.1%yr.
By state, weakness was concentrated in NSW (total value of loans –7.1%mth), SA (–7.2%mth) and, to a lesser extent, Vic (–2.1%mth).
Other states recorded gains, Qld +4.1%mth and WA+5.5%mth.
Overall, while the starting point is a touch softer than expected the main story is still the likely severe decline as coronavirus effects impact in coming months.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/4/14/housing%20finance%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/4/14/housing%20finance%203.jpg" alt="">
Auction markets have already registered an abrupt slowdown as physical auctions have been banned outright (around half of auctions have been withdrawn prior, the remaining sales going via pre auction sales or online auction).
 
This segment only account for about 15% of all property sales, and the industry may do more to adapt to the situation in coming months.
Nevertheless, health concerns, social distancing restrictions and a deep economic shock will heavily impact the wider property market in coming months.
<div>
MATTHEW HASSAN is a Senior Economist for Westpac
 
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Matthew_Hassan-HHWHptmrw4

Housing finance slips ahead of shutdown: Westpac's Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVATION 
Dwelling approvals were much weaker than expected in Oct, recording an 8.1% pull back from September's 7.2% gain.
The Consensus had been looking for a milder 1% fall. The fall takes total monthly approvals back near their July cycle low, down 23.6%yr.
The detail was particularly disappointing – rather than a high-rise driven result, weakness in the month was more evenly spread across all dwelling types, detached houses down 11%, mid-low rise unit approvals down an estimated 4.7% and high rise approvals down an estimated 14%.
The renewed weakness in non high rise segments is despite tentative signs of stabilisation in recent months and firmer reads on construction-related finance approvals. These segments are also expected to be more responsive to recent interest rate cuts and the pick up in house prices.
The state detail showed weakness was concentrated in NSW and Qld with other states posting solid gains.
NSW was particularly weak with total dwelling approvals down 16%mth to a 7yr low. Qld approvals fell 10% in the month but look to be chopping around a steadier underlying trend. Vic posted a 5.7% rise but also looks to be stable in trend terms. WA approvals rose 11.5%, off a very weak Sep, and SA rose 14.7% with an uptrend in place.
The total value of renovation approvals declined 2.6%, mostly reversing a 3% gain in Sep month, and still tracking a slight trend decline.
The total value of non res building approvals rose 4.2% but was coming off a very choppy Aug-Sep. Approvals are up strongly on a 3mth basis but tracking about flat in monthly trend terms.
Overall the Oct dwelling approvals report highlights the weak outlook for new dwelling construction. High rise segments look susceptible to further declines and non high rise is still softening despite rate cuts and the improved tone to markets since mid year.
Falling dwelling investment is set to be a continued drag through 2020 – we expect new dwelling investment to be down 11.5% for the full calendar year 2019 and is forecast to fall a further 8% in 2020.
The weakness stands in stark contrast to the rebound coming through in prices (see <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/Article/41356">here</a> for more detail on the latest price data) but reflects the long lags on high rise projects and the specific issues facing this particular segment that are likely to preclude a rebound in high rise activity. Price gains are also expected to moderate as we head into 2020 as supply starts to lift and as affordability strains re-emerge. 
Read full report: <a href="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2019/December/er20191202BullDwellApprovOct.pdf" target="_blank">'Australian dwelling approvals October' (PDF 319kb)</a>
Matthew Hassan is a Senior Economist at Westpac.
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Australian dwelling approvals weaken: Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
After a material 10.7% correction over the previous two years, Australian dwelling prices have posted a clear recovery since mid-2019, the pace accelerating month to month.
The CoreLogic home value index, covering the eight major capital cities rose 2% in Nov following a 1.4% gain in Oct, a 1.1% gain in Sep and a 1% gain in Aug.
Annual price growth ticked up to 0.4%yr, the first positive annual pace since March 2018. Prices are still 5.1% below their Sep 2017 peak but could surpass that level in early 2020 if the rebound continues at its current pace.
Several factors have contributed to the turnaround including: reduced uncertainty around housing-related tax policy following the Federal election in May; 75bps in rate cuts from the RBA; and some easing in regulatory guidelines for loan serviceability assessments. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/12/2/westpac%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/12/2/westpac%201.jpg" alt="">
All major capital cities recorded gains in Nov, as did most smaller capitals and non-capital city areas within states. Only Darwin, and regional areas in WA and NT recorded declines in Nov. In annual growth terms, Sydney and Melbourne are both seeing positive gains, but prices in other major capital cities and are still down on a year ago. 
Sydney recorded a thumping 2.7% gain in Nov, the strongest monthly rise since Oct 1988. Prices are up 1.6%yr but still 9.4% below their peak in mid-2017. Houses and top and middle tier properties are now outpacing other segments.
Melbourne recorded a 2.2% rise following a 2.3% gain in Oct that was the strongest since 2009. Having come through a milder price correction, the gains mean Melbourne prices are now only 3.7% below their late 2017 peak. As with Sydney, houses and top tier properties are leading the gains. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/12/2/westpac%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/12/2/westpac%202.jpg" alt="">
Brisbane dwelling prices posted a solid 0.8% rise for the second month in a row – the best back to back gains the market has seen in a while but with prices still down slightly by 0.5% on a year ago. Houses and 'top tier' property are showing a more meaningful lift. 
Perth dwelling prices posted a 0.4% gain, the first positive month since Apr 2018. The gain was driven by a 0.9% rise in 'top tier' properties, other segments flat or down slightly. Prices overall are still down 7.7%yr. 
Across the other capital city markets: Adelaide dwelling prices rose 0.5% but still down 0.5%yr; Canberra rose 1.6%mth, 3%yr; Hobart rose 2.3%mth, 4.2%yr; and Darwin fell 1.2%mth to be down –10.9%yr.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/12/2/westpac%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/12/2/westpac%203.jpg" alt="">
The recovery that began mid-year has now gained significant momentum and is starting to broaden.
It remains a 'thin' market sales-wise but buyer sentiment points to a further lift in demand in early 2020.
Price gains are expected to moderate as supply starts to lift and as affordability strains re-emerge.
See our latest <a href="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/Article/41257/180/" target="_blank">Westpac Housing Pulse</a> report for a more detailed run down on the situation and outlook.
Read the full report: <a href="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2019/December/er20191202BullDwellPricesNov.pdf" target="_blank">'Australian dwelling prices November'</a>.
Matthew Hassan is a Senior Economist at Westpac.
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Australian dwelling prices rebound: Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The May retail update showed sales edging up 0.1% in the month but essentially flat over the April-May period.
This was a touch below the consensus forecast of a 0.2% gain but in line with Westpac's view.
Annual growth slowed to 2.4% over the year, the slowest pace since the start of 2018 and well below the long run average of 4% over the year.
As noted last month, the timing of public holidays may have affected sales over April-May period.
Aside from that our main area of interest is around the sub-category and state detail and the extent to which these show wealth effect drags from the Sydney and Melbourne housing corrections.
The evidence this month is mixed: household goods and NSW remain notable weak spots for sales but the deterioration in these segments remains moderate and sales remain firm across other discretionary categories and in Vic, with a notable firming in the resource states.
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By category, the main source of weakness in May was basic food retail (–0.3% in the month). This category accounts for 40% of total retail.
Food price moves have been a significant driver of fluctuations – the latest dip may be a sign that these are easing. Sales ex basic food rose 0.4%mth.
Across the other categories, household goods recorded a 0.4% fall in the month following a 0.9% decline in April with weakness pronounced in the housing-related 'furniture &amp; floor coverings' sub-category (worth about 25% of the wider category).
That suggests wealth effects are dragging on 'big ticket' discretionary spending (a view supported by recent weakness in vehicle sales).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/4/retail%202.png" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/4/retail%202.png" alt="">
 
However, the picture is more mixed across 'small ticket' discretionary categories, sales slipping for clothing (–0.2%mth) and department stores (–0.4%mth) but rising for cafes &amp; restaurants (+0.7%mth) and 'other retail' (+0.6%mth).
The state patterns were also mixed. Sales continue to slow abruptly in NSW, down 0.1% in the month but with annual growth down to a very weak 0.5% over the year.
Vic is holding up much better with a 0.6% gain in the month and annual growth above 4% over the year. The two 'mining states' recorded dips in May but continue to see annual growth lift, running at a surprisingly strong 4.7%yr pace in the case of Qld.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/4/retail%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/4/retail%203.jpg" alt="">
Looking by channel, online sales continue to moderate from the big surge in 2018, annual growth slipping below that via 'traditional' channels for the first time since the ABS started collecting monthly online sales data in 2013.
The breakdown by retailer size shows small retailers bearing the brunt of the 2019 slowdown. That said, while sales growth has held up better for larger retailers (running at 4% over the year) it is low by historical standards.
Overall the May update is bleak but not bleaker than expected. Retail sales are treading water in nominal terms rather than contracting.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/4/retail%204.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/4/retail%204.jpg" alt="">
 
As such the wash up for the June quarter volumes that feed into national accounts estimates of consumer spending will depend heavily on what has been happening on the price side. We suspect retail price inflation has slowed significantly from the food price driven gains over the last two quarters.
The June quarter CPI update due at the end of the month will be an important pointer on this question and the extent to which growth in consumer demand is slowing.
MATTHEW HASSAN is a Senior Economist for Westpac.
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Australian retail sales tread water: Westpac's Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The correction in Australian dwelling prices that has been running since late 2017 may have ended. 
The CoreLogic home value index, covering the eight major capital cities, dipped 0.1% in June to be down 8.0% over the year – still weak but marking the first month to month improvement in the annual growth rate since its peak at +11.3%yr in mid 2017.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/1/westpac%201%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
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Sydney and Melbourne both recorded their first monthly price gains since the correction began in 2017. However, prices continued to slip elsewhere with most other capital cities showing a deterioration over the last three months.
Melbourne dwelling prices rose 0.2% in June, paring the annual pace of decline back to 9.2% over the year. Units are leading the turnaround, prices in this segment up 0.7% over the last two months. Prices in the top 25% of properties by value also outperformed slightly, albeit coming off more material declines through the correction.
Sydney dwellings recorded a 0.1% price gain in June, the annual pace of decline slowing to 9.9% over the year. The gain here centred on the middle and top tiers of the market which have moved through a more material correction over the last two years. Units slightly outperformed.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/1/westpac%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
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Other major markets were considerably weaker in the month, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all recording monthly price declines and accelerating annual rates of contraction. 
Perth's long-running correction is showing few signs of reprieve, prices down 0.6% in the month,  and 9.1% over the year. 
Brisbane, which was stable through 2018, has continued to see modest but worsening price slippage in 2019, prices down 0.6% in the month, and 2.6% over the year. 
 Adelaide has also slipped into a slight correction, prices down 0.5% in the month, and 0.3% over the year.
Conditions were mostly soft cross the smaller markets as well: Canberra down 0.9% in the month, lowering annual growth to just 1.4% over the year; Darwin down 0.9% in the month, the long-running correction re-accelerating to 9.6% over the year (a similar theme to Perth); but Hobart recording a 0.2% gain in the month holding annual growth in positive at 2.9% over the year. 
Overall, the weakness still evident in other markets takes some of the gloss off the clear improvement showing through in Sydney-Melbourne.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/1/westpac%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/1/westpac%203.jpg" alt="">
 
It also cautions against putting too much emphasis on the improving tone from weekly auction results which are not representative of conditions outside of these two markets.
The contrasting performance of the major cities may be an indication that swings in investor demand around the Federal election have been key – this segment tends to be more active in Sydney and Melbourne – and that other factors such as those around affordability, credit availability and borrowing capacity may still be weighing on owner occupier demand.
The finance approval data should shed some light on this in coming weeks.
The mix should become more balanced over the the second half of 2020 lower interest rates and a likely relaxation in regulatory guidelines for loan assessments comes through.
For the record, Westpac expects dwelling prices to remain patchy in 2019, with a stabilisation showing through more clearly in 2020.
Any rebound in prices before then is likely to quickly run into affordability constraints.
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<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/1/property%20value%206.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/2/auction%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/2/auction%201.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/2/real%20price.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/2/real%20price.jpg" alt="">
 
MATTHEW HASSAN is a Senior Economist for Westpac
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Is the dwelling price correction over? Matthew Hassan

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The minutes of the June RBA Board meeting show the decision to cut the cash rate by 25bp at that meeting was driven by a revised assessment of spare capacity in the labour market and that the Board expects to ease policy further.
We continue to expect a further 25bp rate cut in August and a final 25bp cut in November.
Note that much of the information from the minutes is not new. Key aspects have already been covered in a speech by the RBA Governor on the day of the decision and in other commentary from the Bank since then.
Assessments have also likely evolved since June 4, particularly following the March quarter national accounts released a day later.
As such, our main interest in reading the meeting minutes is around the commentary from members and the tone of the discussion – particularly the degree of urgency around policy easing.
The minutes are clear on the prospect of further cuts, noting in the concluding paragraph that “… it was more likely than not that a further easing in monetary policy would be appropriate in the period ahead”.
In the lexicon of RBA statements, “period ahead” signals that policy is ‘live’ in coming meetings but stops short of indicating an imminent move at the next meeting.
The case for easing in June rested firmly on a reassessment of the labour market.
Updates on wage costs, showing growth of 0.5%qtr, 2.3%yr to March, were seen as “further evidence of spare capacity”.
The latest data around jobs and unemployment is assessed as “mixed” – with an increase in unemployment and underemployment and a moderation in employment growth noted, albeit with the latter still running above growth in the labour force and participation rates reaching a record high.
The contrast with the “strong” description in the May minutes is striking.
However, the real change was around the assessment of the extent of spare capacity – i.e. the degree to which unemployment was above the ‘full employment’ levels associated with stable inflation.
As outlined by the Governor, the Bank now sees this as around 4.5% compared to the 4.75-5% cited previously – the shift reflecting the unfolding mix of wage and unemployment outcomes.
The current 5.2% unemployment rate is a sizeable 0.7ppts above this target level. While noting estimates are uncertain, Board members concurred with the change in assessment.
Other factors behind the decision to cut seem less urgent. The outlook for both the global economy and the Australian economy was assessed as “reasonable” albeit with the latter conditioned on market pricing for the cash rate that implied interest rates would be lower in the period ahead.
Around inflation, the persistence of low underlying inflation – below the 2-3% target range for three years and expected to remain low near term – looks to have been a secondary consideration behind the cut, giving scope for the move rather than driving the decision.
That said, there did seem to be some concern that this might start to undermine medium term inflation expectations.
The risks a rate cut would present around high household debt and housing markets were assessed as low.
Members judged it “was unlikely to encourage a material pick-up in borrowing by households that would add to medium term risks”.
Interestingly, members also noted that lower rates would “stimulate activity and thereby improve the resilience of the Australian economy to any future adverse shocks” – perhaps an indication that the Board is a little keener to get the economy moving.
Conclusion
Overall, the minutes confirm more easing is on the way. Board members appear very much aligned to the Governor’s views, particularly around the labour market.
That said, the ‘tone’ is not urgent in the sense that growth outlook still does not seem to be viewed as that challenging and low inflation is not a driving force behind the easing.
We continue to see the next 25bp rate cut coming in August and a final 25bp cut in November.
There are complications. After shifting its view on full employment and having identified more significant spare capacity in the labour market, the Board may see little point in delaying follow-on easing moves – the case having already been made.
However, we expect the next move to instead be framed by a downgrade to the Bank’s forecasts meaning it will be more inclined to move in August when the full set of revised forecasts are released in its Statement on Monetary Policy.
We expect this to include a downward revision to the Bank’s near term growth forecast from ‘around 2.75%’ to something more materially below trend. The disappointing March quarter national accounts release has already lowered the starting point.
Updates on the consumer are likely to show soft conditions extending into the June quarter. Meanwhile weak labour market updates are likely to take the unemployment further away from the Bank’s 4.5% target.
Given the need to adjust, it is much simpler communication-wise, to cut rates at the time the forecast is changed than to cut in July and announce the lower forecast a month later.
MATTHEW HASSAN is a Senior Economist for Westpac
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RBA June minutes allay fear that low rate borrowing has medium term risks: Westpac's Matthew Hassan

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The April retail update came in weaker than expected, sales dipping 0.1% in the month compared to consensus forecasts of a 0.2% gain.
Annual growth slowed to 2.8% per year, the slowest pace since mid 2018.
The timing of public holidays may have been a factor in April, with Easter falling in the month this year and the ANZAC day public holiday a week later encouraging many to take leave.
While the ABS tries to adjust for these shifting seasonal effects, there may have been more of a dampening effect compared to previous years.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/4/retail%201.jpg" alt="">
That said, both the sub-category and state detail in April point to wealth effect spillovers from the Sydney and Melbourne led housing market corrections weighing on sales.
In particular, household goods retail sales – a bellwether for discretionary 'durables' spending – fell 0.9% in the month and NSW and Vic both recorded more pronounced 0.4% declines.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/retail%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/4/retail%202.jpg" alt="">
The remaining sub-category detail shows a 0.2% gain in the large basic food retail category and more mixed results elsewhere – clothing down 1.2% month and cafes &amp; restaurants down 0.7% month but both coming off sold gains in March; and department stores up 1.8% month and 'other retailing' up 0.8% month but both coming off declines last month.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/retail%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:  <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/4/retail%203.jpg" alt="">
Needless to say it pays to look through the monthly volatility.
Looking at sales across the major states: NSW –0.4%mth, +1.2%yr; Vic –0.4%mth, +3.7%yr; Qld +0.7%mth, +6.0%yr; SA +0.6%mth, +0.5%yr; and WA +0.1%mth, +2.6%yr.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/retail%204.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/4/retail%204.jpg" alt="">
Looking by channel, online sales look to have posted a reasonably solid 1.1% gain in the April month, although the annual pace of growth in this segment continues to slow. 
The breakdown by retailer size shows weakness concentrated amongst small retailers, sales in the segment down 0.9%mth. Large non-food retailers saw a flat result while large food retailers recorded a 0.6% gain.
Overall the April retail update is clearly on the soft side, marking a weak start to the June quarter and with some worrying signs that wealth effect drags may be intensifying.
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<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/4/retail%209.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/retail%2010.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/4/retail%2010.jpg" alt="">
MATTHEW HASSAN is a Senior Economist for Westpac
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Australian retail sales soften again: Westpac's Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Australia’s housing market has continued to weaken. Conditions still vary widely across cities but are soft overall, with price corrections underway in the previously strong Sydney and Melbourne markets and Perth's longer running period of price declines also continuing.
The three months to August have seen the Westpac Housing Consumer Sentiment Index (a composite measure based on four housing–related components of the Westpac Consumer Sentiment survey) soften a touch but remain consistent with stabilising demand. The main driver of the lift continues to be less downbeat reads on ‘time to buy’, partly reflecting an improvement in affordability. Small positives around jobs and risk aversion have been offset by weakening price expectations.
Turnover remains very low. Whereas earlier estimates had suggested activity might have been stabilising in the first half of 2018, revised and updated data now show turnover nationally down 6.2% over the year to July. The annual pace of decline has moderated and the most recent monthly figures hint at stabilisation but, without a revival, annual growth is likely to stay negative through to year end.
The continued decline in turnover suggests other factors such as tightening loan criteria and falling investor activity are weighing on activity, essentially preventing what would likely have been a stabilisation in conditions by now.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/28/WESTPAC.jpg" alt="">
<div> </div>
<div>Matthew Hassan is a Senior Economist at Westpac.</div>
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Housing sentiment stable but markets still weakening: Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Australia's housing market continues to correct. The CoreLogic home value index, covering the eight major capital cities, dipped 0.3% in June marking the ninth successive monthly decline. Prices nationally are down 1.6%yr and 2.2% from the peak in Sep last year.
The correction remains both relatively shallow and narrowly-based, concentrated in the previously strong Sydney and Melbourne markets. These two markets have now seen no net gain in prices since late 2016 and mid-2017 respectively. The Perth market is also seeing a price correction although this has been ongoing for the best part of five years.
For the June month, unit prices showed a slightly milder fall than houses (–0.2% vs –0.3%) although annual growth for units remains positive and is significantly outperforming price growth for houses (+0.4%yr vs –2.2%yr for houses).
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/3/value-index.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/7/3/value-index.jpg" alt="">
Perth recorded the biggest price decline in the June month, down –0.5%mth, –2.1%yr with the city's unit market showing a renewed price contraction. Perth unit prices are back at their 2006 levels and have not kept pace with inflation since mid-2003.
Amongst the major eastern capitals, Melbourne was again a touch weaker, prices falling –0.4%mth vs –0.3%mth in Sydney, although prices are still up a touch (+1%mth) on a year ago compared to a 4.5% decline in Sydney. Brisbane and Adelaide continue to see a steadier performance with prices ticking up slightly in the month and up 1.1%yr. The detail suggests the Brisbane unit market is on a firmer footing.
Price performances continue to vary widely across the smaller capitals, Hobart's boom possibly cooling a touch but still showing double digit annual growth (+12.7%yr), Canberra subdued (+2.3%yr) and Darwin showing few signs of pulling out of its steep correction (–7.7%yr). Performances in regional areas have also varied but have been slightly better overall (Aus ex capital city prices flat in the month but up +2.2%yr).
All tiers recorded price slippage in the June month although declines remains larger for the 'top 25%' of properties by value down –0.5%mth, –3.8%yr compared to the 'middle 50% down –0.2%mth, +0.8%yr and the 'bottom 25%' down –0.1%mth, +1.3%yr.
Auction clearance rates weakened notably through May-June, suggesting an additional drag from tightening loan criteria and longer approval processing times. Buyer sentiment has lifted off last year's lows but the change in credit conditions looks to have overshadowed any positives from the marginal improvement in affordability. Any stabilisation still looks to be a long way off.
Matthew Hassan is senior economist with <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/" target="_blank">Westpac</a>.
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Correction continues in Australian dwelling prices: Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Australian housing finance approvals were a touch firmer than expected in April, the number of owner occupier loans down just 1.4% vs expectations of a slightly larger 1.8% decline.
The value of investor loans recorded a 0.9% dip, much milder than March's 9% drop. Despite this, conditions were soft across most of the detail.
The number of new owner occupier approvals, i.e. excluding refinancing, was more in line with consensus, with a 1.9% decline in April taking approvals down 4.4%yr.
The total value of housing finance approvals, including investors but including owner occupier refi, dipped 0.4%mth to be down 5.8%yr (estimates excluding investor refi look to be down about 6.7%yr). Stepping back, the peak to trough move in the value of new finance approvals looks to be a fall of about 10%, roughly on a par with the 2015-16 pull back.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/13/finance%20approvals.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/13/finance%20approvals.jpg" alt="">
The number of owner occupier construction approvals dipped 0.2% to be down 5.7%yr. The number of owner occupier approvals for the purchase of newly built dwellings fell 3.7%mth but is still up 2.9%yr. On a combined basis, construction-related approvals were down 1.4%mth, –2.9%yr.
The number of approvals to first home buyers (FHBs) continues to ease back from recent highs, declining 1.6%mth. Although approvals are still up 24%yr, they are now 10% off their Nov peak. Activity in this segment has been boosted by increased assistance from state governments in NSW and Vic – measures that in the past have typically generated a significant pull forward in activity that subsequently falls away.
The state breakdown had more detail than usual this month due to the timing of the release which coincided with the release of state lending data for investor loans. The combined figures shows the biggest annual declines in the total value of approvals (incl. investor loans but excl. owner occupier refi) have been in WA (–8.8%yr), NSW (–6%yr) and Qld (–6%yr) with a milder 2.9%yr fall in SA. Vic has seen a slight gain (+1.9%yr) while Tasmania has bucked the national trend with a strong surge (+15.4%yr).
More recent data, from auction markets in particular, suggest housing market conditions have seen a further weakening since April likely reflecting tighter lending criteria. With more stringent assessments also likely to delay loan processing, finance approvals could see a more significant decline in the next few months.
Matthew Hassan is senior economist with <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/" target="_blank">Westpac</a>.
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