Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Property Forecast 2020

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House prices continue to rise solidly, supported by easier access to credit and lower interest rates, according to the latest ANZ Housing Update report.
The housing update found a combination of pent-up demand and low volumes looks to have been a key driver of the larger than-expected rebound.
While the initial strength was concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, the pick-up has broadened across the capital cities. In December, prices rose in all capital cities bar Perth (where they were flat) and Darwin.
Looking at the nation as a whole, ANZ predict that prices will rise solidly in 2020 but the pace of monthly gains will moderate.
Felicity Emmett, Senior ANZ economist said, "we have revised up our forecasts a little and now expect prices to rise 8% on average through 2020, and 4% in 2021."
Building Approvals
Building approvals have fallen sharply, driven by a steep decline in high-rise apartment building approvals. Some of this decline can be attributed to the recent cladding and cracking crises which have lead to a lack of faith in apartment developers.
The decline in approvals suggests construction will fall for some months yet.
Felicity Emmett said, "leading indicators are turning, suggesting activity will pick up later this year. Finance for construction, both for households and businesses, is picking up strongly, while property developers are more confident about the construction outlook."
"Build quality concerns, particularly in NSW, may dampen the eventual upswing."
"We expect activity to trough in mid-2020 before picking up," she forecast.
Housing Credit &amp; Loans
 
Adelaide Timbrell, Economist ANZ said, "Housing credit growth is at a historical low of 2.3% y/y, as households use rate cuts to pay down debt faster, rather than reduce repayments. The expiry of interest only loans is also leading to faster debt repayment."
"Recent data suggest arrears rates are now declining, helped by the improved housing market. Despite higher WA arrears and IO loan switching increasing debt repayments by up to 40%, Australian arrears are low by international standards," she added.
First home buyer loan sizes are at historical highs and affordability concerns may emerge as housing prices continue to rise.
Rising rents are squeezing low-middle income earners, who take up an increasing share of the private rental market, atleast when compared to two decades ago.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Property recovery spreads, building approvals may bounce back in late 2020: ANZ

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Dwelling prices have reached the bottom in Adelaide as buyer confidence rises alongside auction clearance rates.
According to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, housing finance in South Australia is showing signs of improvement with an increase of 8.6 per cent since February 2019 after a reduction of 6.6 per cent relative to August 2018.
In recent years the market had delivered modest capital growth for houses and poor capital growth for units.
While the labour market has improved in the past couple of years, the effective unemployment rate in South Australia is still above 9 per cent and the employment market is still soft.
This has a strong connection with low population growth (only 0.8 per cent per annum) and, therefore, low demand for dwellings.
While serviceability measures have improved due to the RBA’s interest rate cuts (with another expected sometime in the new year), the relatively high unemployment rate increases the risk of credit defaults.
That, combined with some properties that suffer from low demand, require special attention in relation to credit provisioning.
However, he said in some high-demand areas the housing market was showing some evidence of recovery, particularly those with steady recent price growth rates.
Buyer confidence has increased in South Australia, particularly Adelaide. This has also improved auction clearance rates and, consequently, it appears dwelling prices have reached the bottom.
However, while South Australia enjoys high levels of public and private expenditure, in the short term, the economic growth is projected to remain relatively low, around the 2 per cent mark.
Long-term economic growth will be a slow process and with a soft labour market no significant changes to demand are expected in the short to medium term, with less popular areas experiencing modest growth only.
He said despite low building approvals, demand for houses was projected to remain moderate with, therefore, only moderate capital growth forecast.
However, he said the growth rate was projected to vary greatly across the state with houses in areas close to the Adelaide CBD, such as Adelaide Central and Hills, likely to deliver better growth.
Houses in areas that do not enjoy good growth drivers still carry a risk of delivering poor / negative capital growth. For example, according to CoreLogic, the median house price in the Barossa - Yorke - Mid North area declined by 0.2 per cent in the past 12 months.
He said while South Australia offered healthy rental returns for both houses and units, demand for units among owner-occupiers, despite good affordability, was generally low.
In addition, units in some suburbs are subject to voluntary lending restrictions by the major lenders, such as lower loan-to-value ratio (i.e. higher deposit) due to oversupply,
Units are not considered a popular dwelling option among families especially off-the-plan units in high rises, and these carry the highest level of risk. Overall, units in South Australia are likely to deliver poor capital growth.
Adelaide Central and Hills has the highest rate of oversupply in South Australia with 2696 units in the pipeline (an 8.2 per cent increase to the current stock). This unit oversupply has led to a price decline of 0.3 per cent in the past year.
DORON PELEG is the CEO at RiskWise
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Adelaide house prices bottom out with growth projected: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Northern Territory's poor economy continues to play a part in its subdued property market with 15.6 per cent price reductions for houses in the past five years and a massive 29.4 per cent for units.
According to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, much of the negative capital growth in recent years is due to population decreases following the end of the mining boom and lack of employment, leading to high interstate emigration.
RiskWise CEO Doron Peleg said the territory was the only state in Australia that experienced population loss in 2017-18.
While dwelling supply in relation to population growth is low and dwellings are very affordable, the low demand for housing makes the Northern Territory a risky area especially given the low level of private investment that is significantly below the growth levels during the mining boom.
According to CoreLogic, Darwin house prices peaked in 2014 and fell 15.6 per cent over the past five years. However, improved housing affordability slightly reduces the risk associated with houses from medium-high to medium.
He said it was likely houses in the Northern Territory would deliver poor or negative capital growth in the short to medium term.
However, as more than 67 per cent of houses in the territory were owner-occupied and held for a long period of time, he said they carried a lower level of risk than units.
Units carry a very high level of risk to deliver negative capital growth, due to the combination of oversupply, lending restrictions and low demand.
The current supply of units, while not considered high in relation to population growth, still exceeds the low demand for them.
This is particularly the case in areas with a high concentration of off-the-plan units, such as Darwin with 2034 units in the pipeline (10.2 per cent increase to the current stock). They delivered -33.7 per cent capital growth over the last five years.
DORON PELEG is the CEO at RiskWise
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Northern Territory's poor economy continues to subdue the property market: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Most talking heads, when asked to predict the coming year in real estate, look at the recent past and extrapolate that to the near future. So most commentators have been predicting the recent past. And therefore 2020 is all about Sydney and Melbourne.
More thoughtful forecasters have suggested the growth spurt in the biggest cities in late 2019 will not translate into another price boom in 2020. Some, including Westpac, expect relatively moderate growth in Melbourne and Sydney, with Brisbane leading on price escalation.
Very few ever discuss regional markets – which is unfortunate, because that’s where investors will find some of the best options for 2020, if it occurs to them to look beyond the big cities.
In NSW, I would suggest the best possibilities will be found outside of Sydney. And those who undertake research beyond absorbing headlines and sound bites will be surprised to find the best performers recently have been regional.
When Sydney was going through its post-boom correction in 2018 and the first half of 2019, regional areas of NSW were a notable contrast. Locations throughout the state continued to show growth in sales activity and prices.
The regions outside of Sydney have many examples of win-win-win situation provided by regional centres: affordable buy-in prices, much better rental yields than the big cities and good prospects for steady growth.
Many of these have long-term growth rates (the average annual increase in median house prices over 10 years) of 6% , 7% or more.
Regional centres with those kinds of strong long-term growth rates include Orange, Dubbo, Goulburn, Bowral, Mitttagong, Wyong, Terrigal and many others.
Goulburn near Canberra and Wyong on the Central Coast both have long-term capital growth rates of 7% per year while Bowral in the Southern Highlands averages close to 8% per year, which is competitive with anywhere in Australia.
Many locations throughout Regional NSW have recorded double-digit growth in their median house prices over the past 12 months.
These growth markets are spread widely across the state. Kingscliff in the north near the Queensland border, has risen 12% in the past year and now has a median house price above $1 million. Nearby Tweed Heads has grown its median house price 11% to $790,000.
In the far south of the state, Lake Albert (which is part of the Wagga Wagga market) has risen 13% to $400,000. Another sector of the Wagga market, Tatton, has grown 14% to $556,000, while central Wagga Wagga increased 9%.
Suffolk Park, which is part of the high-profile Byron Bay market, has increased 12% to reach $1.17 million.
Jindabyne in the Snowy River region has delivered a 14% rise in its median house price to reach $715,000, while Gulgong in the Mid Western Region is up 14% to $330,000. Gloucester in the Mid Coast region has increased 17% to $315,000.
Other locations in Regional NSW to record annual growth in the 7% to 10% range include Bathurst, Broken Hill, Cooma, Cootamundra, Cowra, Griffith, Maclean, Merimbula, Mudgee, Singleton, Tumut and Kempsey.
This strong price performance has occurred at a time when the Sydney market has generally been struggling for growth (prior to the revival in prices which occurred in latter part of 2019).
It provides compelling evidence that investors can find good investments with appealing prospects for long-term growth in regional areas.
TERRY RYDER is the founder of hotspotting.com.au ryder@hotspotting.com.au twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Look beyond Sydney for NSW real estate in 2020: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
There’s been plenty of media coverage on high-end properties bouncing back in Sydney and Melbourne following the downturn, but the low-end should certainly not be overlooked.
RiskWise projected strong price increases across a large number of areas in Sydney and Melbourne in the short term, but particularly the long term, thanks to a good (while somewhat deteriorating) employment market and strong population growth, particularly in Melbourne.
The RBA’s interest rate cuts (the most recent one in October 2019 with the possibility of a further one in the first half of 2020), some loosening of credit restrictions, significant improvement in buyer confidence and increased auction clearance rates provide very strong indications regarding these markets.
Buyer sentiment in relation to housing measures has noticeably improved and the Westpac-Melbourne Institute’s House Price Expectations and Time to Buy a Dwelling Indices show a consistent trend. Auction clearance rates have also recovered and are largely above 70 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne.
As we predicted immediately after the election and in our previous Risks &amp; Opportunities Reports, the market has materially improved with affordable areas that have shown resilience recovering well. Other areas, including lucrative ones that experienced strong price reductions, are now leading the way to this recovery.
However high-end properties, while bouncing back well from the property downturn, were far more sensitive to credit restrictions and investor activity than low-end ones.
That's why high-end properties were impacted dramatically during the downturn but also bounced back dramatically when reversing the negative factors, as we are seeing in prestige areas of Sydney and Melbourne.
Lower-end properties are less subject to credit restrictions and investor activity which actually make them a great buying opportunity. In fact, in some cases areas, such as Geelong, even benefited from the lending restrictions as buyers looked for more affordable options.
Taking a long-term outlook, many of these lower-end areas had a good forecast for strong price increases.
He said many were earmarked for gentrification and that RiskWise research in February 2018 showed a large number of these low-end, high-crime areas outperformed the market.
Our nationwide research actually found gentrifying suburbs with high crime typically deliver strong price growth and outperform the local benchmark.
We found affordable high-crime areas with significant gentrification are likely to produce strong price growth, particularly when dwelling prices in the inner and middle rings are severely unaffordable.
For example, even in high danger areas of New York City and London, etc, provided there is strong population growth and severe unaffordability throughout these cities, these crime areas still increase in popularity and therefore experience price increases.
He said many areas in the western suburbs of both Sydney and Melbourne had provided strong price increases for houses, although this did not apply to units.
In fact, over the long term many low-end areas outperform the top end.
DORON PELEG is the CEO at RiskWise
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Low-end Sydney and Melbourne properties offer great buying opportunity: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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Today, Stockland Research reveals that, as we enter the new decade, purchasing property is top of mind for Australians. The results also show that there is a strong desire for more social connectivity and sustainable home features becoming standard.
Stockland's 2020 property survey has shown that Australians are heading into the new decade with a positive outlook on home ownership with over 40 per cent planning to buy their own property in the next five to ten years. 93 per cent of purchases are expected to be made by those under 35 years old. 
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People are willing to look further afield with 36 per cent of those surveyed considering moving interstate, and 44 per cent respondents in New South Wales specifically entertaining the idea of crossing borders. Amongst these respondents, the main reason for considering this move include for better lifestyle, 57 per cent; better job opportunities, 42 per cent; and to buy the home you want for less, 32 per cent. 
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"It's great to see that home ownership remains a key goal for Australians with many starting 2020 with increasing optimism around achieving this" says Stephanie Vainin, general manager residential sales at Stockland. "Purchasing your own home is still seen as a sense of security for many Australians and this won't change anytime soon.
"The way in which Australians want to live will continue to evolve in 2020 and beyond with many considering that interstate move now more than ever, and an increased demand for features that encourage personal connectivity to communities and improved health and wellbeing." 
Over 60 per cent of Australians would forgo a traditional backyard for a small home with less outdoor space if it meant they were more connected to neighbours and close to community parks and green spaces. 
Survey respondents top features for a dream community of the future also included more walking paths community gardens and recreation spaces and fewer roads.
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Ms Vanin explains, "With 24/7 technological connectivity and busy lives, people and increasingly looking for low-maintenance homes located within communities that offer great amenity, social connectivity and physical closeness with their neighbours and wide community. 
"The actual home is still important, however, features that allow for more community living are shifting higher and higher on homeowners' priority lists. That old sense of belonging and knowing your neighbours is more important than ever before." 
Results show that Australians will be even more environmentally conscious this decade with over half, 54 per cent, of the survey respondents stating sustainable and environmental home features are more important to them than they were ten years ago, and 22 per cent stating the purchase of ethical and sustainable items for their home are important. 
A quarter of the respondents also stated they would specifically like automated recycling in their future home, with those over 55 years old the most excited about the prospect. 
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"Buyers are much more attuned to the benefits of sustainable home design today than they were a decade ago. The costs of many features such as LED lighting and solar panels are also much more affordable today and buyers now understand the long terms cost benefits of these features for future energy savings to them and the broader benefits to the environment," notes Ms Vanin
This week, Stockland has launched its <a href="https://www.stockland.com.au/start" target="_blank">2020 residential summer campaign</a>. The campaign is built upon the idea that "A day can change a decade" and by taking a step into the home buying journey today, you can set yourself up for the whole decade ahead. 
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How will Australians live over the next decade, Stockland Research

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EXPERT OBSERVER 
Douglas Driscoll, CEO of real estate group Starr Partners, has announced his top 10 Sydney suburbs to watch in the upcoming year. 
1.       Kensington. Just a stone’s throw away from the CBD and Centennial Park, and with the University of New South Wales on its doorstep, Kensington ticks all the boxes for buyers looking to live near the city and Sydney’s eastern beaches. The long-awaited light rail network, set to open this week, will see interest in the area grow exponentially. I believe it will also become a ‘gateway destination’ – a new cruise ship terminal is flagged for Port Botany and, if this goes ahead, I expect the Government to extend the light rail all the way from neighbouring Kingsford to La Perouse.
2.       Crows Nest. Known by locals as ‘Crowie’, many Sydneysiders dream of living in a suburb with a village-feel, and Crows Nest offers just that, with popular restaurants, trendy bars, a variety of eateries and a family-friendly atmosphere. Sydney’s lockout laws have also provided a boost to Crows Nest night life, which already had the makings of a good entertainment hub. The multi-million-dollar Woolworths refurbishment and the arrival of a rail line in 2024 are other major drawcards that have undoubtedly driven residential interest in the area, especially among young professionals, young families, downsizers and hipsters.
3.       Oran Park. I recently forecast that the Sydney property market will soon witness the continued growth of three “exurbs” – and Oran Park will be one of them. Despite being a relatively new suburb, it has a fairly self-sufficient population with good infrastructure, low housing density and reasonable commute times to the city and is fast developing its own personality. Part of Sydney’s emerging Aerotropolis, and just a short distance from the $35 million Gregory Hills Health and Business Centre, transport links – and jobs – won’t be hard to come by. 
4.       Bellevue Hill. This classy pocket of Sydney will continue to skyrocket in value due to its appeal to families looking for a quieter eastern suburbs enclave that is just 10-minutes from Bondi Beach and even closer to the upscale boutiques and restaurants of Double Bay. With established blocks, leafy streets, a charming café strip and excellent access to employment, it is becoming – and will continue to become – increasingly gentrified. Better yet, the hilltop community also has a comparative absence of traffic – a welcome relief from other parts of Sydney’s east.
5.       Busby. With a median house price of $557,500[1] – $250,000 cheaper than neighbouring Elizabeth Hills[2], and well within the cut-off for the Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme – Busby is an excellent long-term investment for young professionals and families looking to get their foot on the property ladder. Close to the M5 motorway and with ample bus services and several schools, Busby has everything first home buyers need to make the area their home. Its proximity to Western Sydney University also makes it very attractive for investors.
6.       Summer Hill. Once seen as an industrial node, Summer Hill, I believe, is the inner west’s new hidden gem. There’s soul and character, and everyone loves the charming village environment it has to offer – good schools, a cool café culture, a supermarket, fruit shop, butcher and restaurants all walking distance from the train station. At its heart is The Flour Mill, an old industrial pocket that is being transformed into an amazing new residential community with apartments, shops, cafés and parklands. Rarely do you get a suburb that is both so close to the city and synonymous with family living.
7.       Merrylands. It shouldn’t be surprising that Merrylands has returned to my list this year, and I stand by what I said about it a couple of years ago: it has some of Sydney’s best value for money freestanding dwellings. The more the Cumberland Council spends on the Merrylands town centre, the better it will become. Should it go ahead, a $292 million masterplan to redevelop Merrylands RSL will include more than 400 apartments and over three sleek, high-rise buildings, drawing European-style eateries and trendy alleyways to the area. It will only be a matter of time before the suburb emerges from the shadow of its neighbour, Parramatta.
8.       Pagewood. Arguably one of Sydney’s most overlooked south-eastern suburbs, Pagewood, like we’ve seen with Mascot, Rosebery and sections of Botany, is about to undergo a major transformation. Pagewood Green, next to Westfield Eastgardens, and the former Holden manufacturing site are two previous industrial sites under development. With a median house price $220,000-$440,000[3] cheaper than nearby Matraville and Maroubra, Pagewood is a coveted area for buyers in the market for a unit.
9.       Blaxland. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Blaxland has a genuine country feel despite being just eight minutes from the M4 motorway, and less than 10 minutes from the larger neighbouring suburbs of Penrith and Emu Plains. While this area has become part of Sydney’s greater west, large family homes are available for well under $1m and on large blocks with plenty of greenery. Young professionals or couples looking for a better quality of life and wanting to get more for their money should seriously be considering investing here.
10.   Lalor Park. For buyers looking within a 20-30 kilometre radius of the CBD, Lalor Park, where the median house price is $611,000,[4] is one of the most affordable. I see it really taking off among first-home buyers. As the suburb has older homes, they can expect to get a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house on a decent block for about $600,000 to $650,000. Its great community feel is also a major catch, drawing crowds to its monthly Community Hub Markets and the Lalor Park Community Gardens hosting frequent picnics and other events.
Douglas Driscoll is the CEO of real estate group <a href="http://www.starrpartners.com.au/" target="_blank">Starr Partners</a>.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Kensington leads Sydney real estate suburbs to watch in 2020: Doug Driscoll

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The performance of Australian residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) will weaken moderately in 2020, following some improvement in Q3 2019, but delinquencies will remain low overall, according to a new report from Moody's Investors Service.
Their report found tat Australia's muted economic environment, record levels of household debt and the conversion of interest-only mortgages into principal and interest loans will lead to a moderate increase in RMBS delinquency rates in 2020. However, mortgage borrowers are seeing some relief in the form of low interest rates and rising house prices, which should constrain the degree of deterioration.
The 30+ day delinquency rate for prime Australian RMBS decreased to 1.57% in September 2019 from 1.67% in June 2019.
Moody's has lowered its growth forecast for the Australian economy over recent months and now expects real GDP growth of 2.2% for 2020, down from an earlier forecast of 2.5%.
The forecast for 2020 is higher than the 2.0% recorded in 2019, but down considerably from 2.7% in 2018.
Alena Chen, Vice President, Moody’s said, in this economic environment, expect mortgage delinquencies to increase moderately, particularly given that high household debt - which amounts to almost 200% of annual gross disposable income - will leave households vulnerable to economic and housing market shocks."
"However, we expect most mortgage borrowers will be able to continue meeting mortgage repayments at Moody's forecast level of economic growth and unemployment, which means delinquencies will remain low overall," she stated.
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Australian RMBS will weaken moderately in 2020: Moody’s Investors Service

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The latest data from the Commonwealth Bank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) series released today shows the sharp increase in home buying intentions is continuing.
CBA’s Chief Economist Michael Blythe said, “The sharp upswing in home buying intentions continues and intentions are now approaching the record highs seen in early 2017.”
Current HSI readings are consistent with an ongoing increase in dwelling prices and a bottoming out in residential construction activity.
“The ongoing improvement in the home buying intentions series indicates that the low point for residential building construction will probably be around mid 2020,” he added.
Mr Blythe said retail spending intentions show a modest improvement is in place.
“The latest edition of the Commonwealth Bank HSI series, which incorporates data to the end of October, supports the RBA’s view that the economy has reached a ‘gentle turning point’. But the improvement is quite modest given the size of tax rebates and interest rate cuts delivered in recent months,” Mr Blythe said.
“By fuelling fears about the economic outlook, rate cuts are probably blunting some of the potential boost from tax rebates and rising house prices,” he added.
Mr Blythe also noted that trends in some non-retail spending look reasonably encouraging.
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Home buying intentions approaching boomtime levels: CBA

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Most of Australia’s capital cities will benefit from the interest rate cuts and loosening of credit restrictions barring Dawin, according to Christopher’s Housing Boom and Bust Report for 2020, released today by SQM Research.
In every scenario and especially Scenario 4, a doomsday scenario, Darwin is expected to see a decline in price.
Darwin is expected to see price movements of -5% to -2%.
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Darwin is the only capital city expected to record price declines.
It is a result of the Darwin economy continuing to struggle and excess stock for sale weakening the local market.
In the base case forecasts, what SQM view as the most likely scenario, there are no changes in interest rates and no intervention by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
<a href="/expert-insights/buying/sydney-house-prices-could-jump-14-per-cent-in-2020-sqm-research">Sydney</a> and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-house-prices-tipped-to-rise-by-up-to-15-per-cent-sqm-research">Melbourne</a> look set for the largest recovery, with Hobart and Canberra next up, followed by <a href="/expert-insights/buying/perth-real-estate-finally-set-for-price-growth-in-2020-sqm-research">Perth</a> and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/brisbane-housing-market-will-see-growth-in-2020-sqm-research">Brisbane</a> while Adelaide and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/darwin-the-only-city-forecast-for-falling-real-estate-prices-in-2020-sqm-research">Darwin</a> look set for minimal growth, or a loss.
Read the <a href="https://sqmresearch.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9badbd870addb4af72206c2eb&amp;id=944878d0b0&amp;e=0aab96dc54" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">Christopher’s Housing Boom and Bust Report</a> here.
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Property Forecast 2020

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