Construction has commenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-palm-house-bellevue-hill-88-birriga-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">Kew Palm House</a>, marking a significant milestone for the boutique Bellevue Hill apartment project on one of the suburb's best streets.

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/kew">KEW</a> recently hosted the traditional ground-breaking ceremony, joined by key project partners, officially turning the soil on what will become one of Bellevue Hill's most impressive new developments in one of&nbsp;Sydney’s most tightly held residential markets.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=133966 project_image_fid=352214]

Set across two low-rise buildings on the dress circle Birriga Road, Kew Palm House will deliver a mix of 16 two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, including whole-floor homes and penthouses, responding to sustained demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking high-quality apartment living without leaving the suburb.

The project occupies an amalgamated 3,000 sqm site bordering the Royal Sydney Golf Club, a rarity for new apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">Bellevue Hill</a>.

Architecture by Woods Bagot takes a townhome-inspired approach, with finely detailed façades and layered massing designed to sit comfortably within the established streetscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=133966 project_image_fid=352216]

The buildings are surrounded by landscaped gardens by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/dangar-barin-smith">Dangar Barin Smith</a>, with communal pathways leading to a pool house and shared alfresco spaces intended to support a quieter, more residential form of apartment living.

Interiors will feature natural materials including travertine, stone and engineered timber, alongside V-ZUG kitchen appliances, with layouts prioritising generous proportions, privacy and indoor-outdoor connection.

Each residence has been designed to maximise natural light while maintaining separation from neighbouring homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=133966 project_image_fid=352222]

Kew Palm House forms part of KEW’s growing Eastern Suburbs portfolio under the Positive Investment Enterprise group. It follows the completion of Kew Bondi on Bondi Road, with Kew Hillcrest in Rose Bay also currently under construction. Palm House reflects the developer’s longer-term commitment to Bellevue Hill, where opportunities for new, design-led apartment projects remain limited.

Kew Palm House is targeting completion in late 2027, with construction to be delivered by Harvestland Construction. KEW also has Kew Hillcrest in Rose Bay under construction, just five luxury apartments near the beach.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=133966]

Staff Writer

Construction commences at Kew Palm House in Bellevue Hill

Brisbane-based <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/spyre-group">Spyre Group</a> is continuing to bolster its impress SEQ development pipeline with one of its most ambitious projects to date.

The developer, led by Daniel Laruccia and Andrew Malouf, is planning just over 300 apartments across three towers on the prized beachfront side of Main Beach Parade in Main Beach.

The prized 3,344 sqm site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/3640-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">3640-3642 Main Beach Parade</a> also fronts Stafford and Montgomery Avenue and will offer street-level hospitality.

<img alt="3640 Main Beach Parade, MAIN BEACH QLD 4217" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18bfcdb3-b958-4b20-a85b-c61e3dbf81b9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Spyre%20DA%20pers.png?VersionId=QvGNOHg6KDoScJZw2nAkvbun0DT2gUn1" />

The project has been designed by New Zealand-based architecture firm Monk Mackenzie, whose scheme references the fluidity of coastal forces. The smallest tower will be 37 storeys, with the other two topping out at 40 storeys. The sculptural form intends to "resonate with the site's unique peninsular position between the Coral Sea and the Broadwater."

The southernmost tower will have just 59 four-bedroom apartments, above two food and drinks venues. Towers two and three, the tallest, will have 125 two- and three-bedroom apartments in each.

“The towers stand not in opposition to the dynamic coastal landscape, but in dialogue with it,” the architects wrote in their Design Report.

“Like tide posts embedded in sand, they register change. The movements of water, light, air, and human circulation gather and disperse around them”.

<img alt="3640 Main Beach Parade, MAIN BEACH QLD 4217" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cb2f3eb7-c517-47e5-afc8-01685c658a82" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/spyre%20podium.png?VersionId=hYe0w7UBEVNY7LPcoK9PnO9myEGn_xES" />

The podiums of each tower will feature landscaped communal open spaces, pools, and active wellness zones.

Spyre's application describes the site as “uniquely positioned” to accommodate such scale, noting its separation from other towers, underutilised status, and alignment with the Gold Coast’s Light Rail Urban Renewal overlay. The staging strategy allows the towers to be delivered independently. Before it's amalgamation to make it a larger site, Spyre had approved plans for MARI, a 19-storey building with 15 apartments.

 
<img alt="3640 Main Beach Parade, MAIN BEACH QLD 4217" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef40ca57-1c77-4568-a8aa-91c742334bef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/spyre%20amenities.png?VersionId=BcaHvU4UeLkabtNlqydmvkuTEyuYmpft" />

<img alt="3640 Main Beach Parade, MAIN BEACH QLD 4217" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef40ca57-1c77-4568-a8aa-91c742334bef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/spyre%20amenities.png?VersionId=BcaHvU4UeLkabtNlqydmvkuTEyuYmpft" />

Spyre’s wide-ranging portfolio includes Watts &amp; Wright in Bulimba, Moray House in New Farm, and ARC Residences in Toowong, all of which are approaching completion. It also includes Hampden Ltd in Melbourne’s Bayside, marking the company’s first project in Victoria’s capital.

Spyre has previously achieved significant success on the Gold Coast, setting region-breaking records at Glass House by Spyre in Burleigh Heads, where apartments sold for $24 million and $24.54 million. Cala Dei in Coolangatta also sold out in record time.

Spyre will soon launch Echo by Spyre, a boutique development of just nine villas in Tugun.

Joel Robinson

Spyre's three-tower beachfront plans for Main Beach

IPM Property is progressing plans for its third development in Mona Vale in Sydney's Northern Beaches, and its latest will be the biggest yet.

IPM, led by Steven Sroba and Chris Webster, has filed a State Significant Development Application to the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for 82 apartments on a prime 6,122 sqm site stretching across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and just under 800m from Mona Vale town centre.

They've had <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> draw up the plans for the three-building development which will offer a mix of 26 two-bedroom units and 56 three-beds with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a>.

According to the Design Report by PBD, the built form "responds to the site’s natural fall, solar orientation, and established vegetation, creating a layered architectural expression that balances scale, materiality, and landscape”.

<img alt="159-167 Darley Street West, Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44040ed2-13c6-4f18-8326-a51467cb8532" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Mona%20vale%20pers.png?VersionId=4H1gEiyyCX2yT_fYV6kAdWaaVlCttC6P" />

The proposal aims to maximise passive design outcomes, with the site’s northern orientation supporting solar access and cross-ventilation. Building footprints have been shaped to preserve high-retention trees and accommodate an overland flow path, which runs diagonally through the rear of the site.

The development includes several sustainability initiatives, such as full electrification, EV charging provisions, and generous communal open spaces integrated across the ground and rooftop levels. As outlined in the planning documents, the buildings have been stepped in both plan and elevation to reduce bulk and provide separation to adjacent dwellings, in line with the Apartment Design Guide and local controls.

The project site falls just within the 800-metre radius covered by the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Reforms, which entered their second stage in February 2025. These reforms introduce specific planning controls that significantly increase the potential for medium-density housing growth within 800 metres of the Mona Vale town centre.

<img alt="159-167 Darley Street West, Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5df61e6d-0696-4c1e-81c2-8d3535228878" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_9.png?VersionId=vWjI2oCZhAkCPKv4xMEVLdVNkn.keD6_" />

IPM has been active in the local market for several years. Its recent projects include Maya on Bungan Street near the town centre, a 33-apartment development completed in late 2024, and Iluka on beachfront Golf Avenue, a boutique project of just 14 apartments. Iluka set a local record in 2021 when a full-floor, three-bedroom apartment sold off the plan for $4.775 million.

Nearby in Palm Beach, IPM is also delivering Snappermans, a collection of just five luxury apartments designed by Koichi Takada Architects, located steps from Pittwater. The developer has also recently completed Como Coogee, a 20-apartment development on Carrington Road.

First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project

With demand for high-quality family homes in the inner west continuing to rise, young families are increasingly turning to new forms of multi-generational living.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/ashbury-terraces-ashbury-165-171-milton-street-ashbury-nsw-2193">Ashbury Terraces</a>, Nikki Pham and Danny Lai are among the growing number of residents choosing the precinct for its space, design integrity and strong sense of community.

For Nikki and Danny, purchasing a three-storey terrace was about securing a long-term home for their young family. Having spent most of their lives in the inner west, they first discovered the project while it was under construction.

“We walked past and had a look during the build and instantly felt the vibe. It had everything we were looking for,” said Nikki.

A return to green, open spaces was a major drawcard after living closer to the CBD.

“We like going for walks, and here it feels like a mini oasis while still being central to everything we need,” she said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112253 project_image_fid=354944]

Inside, the couple were immediately drawn to the craftsmanship.&nbsp;

“I love the Calacatta marble and timber detailing. If I’d designed it myself, these are exactly the fittings and fixtures I would have picked,” Nikki said. “There’s actually very little I’d change.

“We’ve found the craftsmanship has been great and I believe the beautiful arches and curves, including on our stunning staircase, are all made by hand.”

Since moving in with their seven-month-old baby in mid-August, the family has been making the most of the amenities, especially the pool.&nbsp;

“We love using the shallow area with the baby. It’s great for kids, and the sunbeds are perfect when it’s not too hot,” Danny said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112253 project_image_fid=354939]

The home features kitchen, living and dining areas on the ground floor with courtyard access to the pool, two bedrooms and a study on the middle level, and a master suite on the top floor. The proximity to local parks, childcare, and schools also made it an easy choice.

Nikki has noticed the project is sparking interest from the extended families of new residents.&nbsp;

“Several of our neighbour’s parents have now bought here too. It’s ideal for multi-generational living because everyone has their own space but you’re still close by.”

<h2>A growing trend in the inner west</h2>

Aras Labutis, Head of Urban Transformations at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/coronation-property">Coronation Property</a>, said families like Nikki and Danny’s reflect a broader shift.

“Ashbury Terraces was designed for families at different life stages who want to stay connected to the inner west, including multi-generational households," Labutis said.

"Some terraces even include lifts, which make them ideal for older residents who want to remain independent while living close to children or grandchildren."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112253 project_image_fid=354936]

Recent ABS data shows around one in five Australian households is now multigenerational, following a 22 per cent rise in the five years to 2021.

“The demand we’re seeing aligns with broader national data showing ongoing growth in multi-generational living as families look for practical, long-term solutions in well-connected suburbs.”

<h2>Milton Estate launches as the precinct’s next chapter</h2>

Following this strong response, Coronation is now registering expressions of interest for Milton Estate, the next evolution of the precinct. Strong sales and sustained interest in family-focused inner west homes have underpinned the decision to bring this next stage to market sooner than anticipated.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112253 project_image_fid=358839]

The new collection continues the same design principles, quality materials, heritage sensitivity and family-focused layouts, and its launch reflects demand from both local buyers and extended families who want to remain part of the growing community at Ashbury Terraces.

<h2>A new neighbourhood taking shape</h2>

Designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, and brought to life with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/360-degrees-landscape">360 Degrees</a>, Ashbury Terraces comprises 136 residences across five low-rise buildings, supported by amenities including a pool, gym and landscaped communal spaces.

For Nikki and Danny, it already feels like a place to grow for years to come.

“We’ve found great childcare nearby, and Ashbury Primary and Trinity Grammar are within easy reach. There are other excellent public and private school options too,” Nikki said.

“It’s hard to find something like this in the Inner West,” she added. “It’s certainly unique in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ashbury-nsw-2193">Ashbury</a>. We’ve got everything we need here and it already feels like home.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112253]

Ashbury Terraces proves a perfect fit for growing families and multi-generational living

An exclusive collection of luxury Sky Homes featuring sweeping water views, each with their own private rooftop terrace and marina berth, are part of the latest release at Lewis Land’s visionary <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplanned community.&nbsp;

The Sky Homes, which sit within the Signature Collection, have been designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;feature contemporary light-filled coastal interiors, accented by natural textures of timber and stone. The homes range from 282 sqm to 367sqm and offer three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, three car parks, large private balconies, and their own rooftop terraces. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=359204]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the three double-storey Sky Homes occupying the &nbsp;upper levels of The Waterline apartment building formed part of the masterplan’s Signature Collection of &nbsp;luxury residences. &nbsp;

“The exclusive Sky Homes are more than penthouses, they are double-storey homes featuring expansive living spaces and outdoor terraces,” Mr Long said.&nbsp;

“Located on levels five and six of The Waterline, each Sky Home includes its own private marina berth with direct Broadwater access and carefully curated high-end finishes throughout.”&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=359206]

The launch of The Signature Collection coincides with the milestone topping out of The Waterline, the first of three residential collections being delivered in the first stage of Harbour Shores.&nbsp;

Residents will also have access to a private pool and other resident-only amenities including a large &nbsp;lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga and sauna facilities. &nbsp;

Prices for the Sky Homes start from $3.65 million. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=290031]

The Signature Collection also features The Residences, an exclusive release of six premium waterfront villas, positioned directly on the 1.2km waterfront boardwalk.&nbsp;

The Residences offer more than 350 sqm of contemporary living with premium finishes throughout and &nbsp;dining spaces that flow seamlessly to the outdoor entertaining area on the ground floor. Each have their own private plunge pool overlooking the water, and a private marina berth.

All villas include two secure car parks and residents have access to the extensive amenities within the broader precinct. Prices start from $3.05 million. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=290030]

Harbour Shores is a resort-style community focused on lifestyle and wellness where neighbourhoods &nbsp;are connected by extensive landscaping, green spaces and pedestrian networks, including a 1.2- kilometre waterfront boardwalk.&nbsp;

Boasting a 6 Star Green Star Communities V1.1 rating, the highest level of sustainability of any project &nbsp;on the Gold Coast, Harbour Shores will deliver more than 2,000 homes over the next decade.&nbsp;

Colliers is marketing Harbour Shores, and has seen significant demand from local owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land unveils Harbour Shores’ double-storey sky homes with private marina berths

Public Health

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
As the COVID-19 pandemic has grown, you will probably have seen photos and video of workers in protective gear using high-pressure sprays to sanitise city streets. Spain has even taken the radical step of spraying bleach on beaches. You may have asked yourself if this really makes much difference to the risk of coronavirus transmission. If not, why would governments expend time, energy and dollars doing it?
Based on our knowledge of the conditions required for disinfectants to work, we suspect these activities are as much about authorities being seen to do something as about actually stopping the spread of COVID-19.
The likely effectiveness of spraying streets and other public places depends on how the virus spreads, how the disinfectants work and what conditions these are used in.
<h2>How does the virus spread?</h2>
We now know the virus is spread mainly in two ways.
The first is through <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2763852" target="_blank">airborne droplets and aerosols</a> that originate from infected individuals. The droplets are expelled into the air through a cough or sneeze and can infect another person who encounters them at close range. Droplets are larger and do not remain in the air for very long, quickly settling to the ground or another surface.
Aerosols are smaller and remain suspended for longer – <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973" target="_blank">up to three hours</a>. Aerosols will rapidly dry out and disperse over time. This <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/03/commentary-covid-19-transmission-messages-should-hinge-science" target="_blank">makes it less likely</a> a person will be exposed to enough viral particles – known as the <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2238819-does-a-high-viral-load-or-infectious-dose-make-covid-19-worse/" target="_blank">infectious dose</a> – to be infected.
The second way the disease is spread is via contamination of surfaces. When droplets settle, the virus can persist for varying periods, depending on the nature of the surface. For example, <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973" target="_blank">one study</a> found the virus survives for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, 8 hours on copper and 4 hours on porous surfaces such as cardboard.
This experiment, however, was conducted under laboratory conditions indoors. So far, no information is available on how long the virus can survive outdoors. It’s also unknown how likely it is for you to become infected when you’re walking the city streets.
<h2>How might disinfectant work?</h2>
We must also consider the process of disinfection. According to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/coronavirus-sanitation-disinfection-around-the-world-in-photos-2020-3?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank">news reports</a>, most authorities are using a diluted bleach solution to disinfect city areas. Research suggests the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857920300674#bib0045" target="_blank">COVID-19 virus is susceptible to bleach</a>, but it requires a contact time of about one minute to be effective.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/331667/original/file-20200430-42918-1tb55n6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/331667/original/file-20200430-42918-1tb55n6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Disinfectant is deactivated by a layer of organic matter on surfaces, including the same skin oils and sweat that leave fingerprints. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/finger-hand-print-on-black-ground-399219382" target="_blank">Shutterstock</a>
Even if the disinfectant reaches every outdoor surface likely to be touched by people, including areas shielded from the spray, there is still a problem with using bleach in the typical conditions encountered outdoors. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/clinicians/non-us-healthcare-settings/chlorine-use" target="_blank">Sunlight and the build-up of organic matter on surfaces will rapidly deactivate the chlorine</a>, the active ingredient in bleach. This means the disinfectant would probably become ineffective before the virus is killed.
For the virus to infect a person, it needs to enter the body. This can occur when your hands have become contaminated by touching a surface and you put your hands to your face, near your nose or mouth. But when was the last time you touched the ground and then touched your face without washing your hands?
The average person is rarely going to come into direct contact with city streets and footpaths with their hands. That’s another reason spraying these surfaces with disinfectant is unlikely to be an effective control measure.
Commonly touched surfaces such as handrails and road-crossing buttons are more likely sources of infection but would have to be cleaned before being sanitised with bleach. This is because organic matter builds up on frequently touched surfaces, including the natural oils on human skin. Even if cleaning were undertaken prior to sanitising, this process would need to be continuous as the next time an infected person touches the surface it can be recontaminated.
Spraying disinfectant into the air will have the effect of reducing the amount of virus that is suspended as aerosols. However, this will have a very limited effect as the disinfectant will rapidly disperse. Aerosols will be reintroduced the next time an infected person travels through the area.
Another consideration is that the droplets of bleach in the spray can be corrosive and cause harmful respiratory effects when inhaled. Spraying should only be done when there are no people around.
A far more effective regime is to recommend stringent personal hygiene. This includes regular hand washing with soap and water and the use of alcohol-based sanitiser when hand washing isn’t possible.
<h2>Why, then, are countries spraying streets?</h2>
So, if spraying disinfectant in urban areas is unlikely to be effective, why are we seeing some countries doing this?
Without being privy to the decision-making process, it’s hard to say. There are, however, a couple of possibilities. One is that the authorities want to create an environment that is free from COVID-19 but aren’t following the science. A more likely reason is to help people feel safe because they see authorities taking action.
In a crisis, people are <a href="https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ppt/CERC_Psychology_of_a_Crisis.pdf" target="_blank">less likely to take on board information that challenges their current beliefs</a>. Although the science indicates urban disinfection is probably ineffective, it’s likely the general public believes otherwise. As a result, spraying city streets might have the effect of allaying fears and building trust in government and the messages it distributes.
A possible downside of this, however, is people who feel their environment is safe might be less stringent about personal hygiene and physical distancing. These precautions are vital in preventing the virus spreading through the community; if people stop observing these behaviours, the virus is likely to spread much more quickly.
The take-away message from this is that, while urban disinfection may increase public confidence, it is likely to be ineffective in protecting the public from infection.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/136966/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-bricknell-1043565" target="_blank">Lisa Bricknell</a>, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140" target="_blank">CQUniversity Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dale-trott-1043566" target="_blank">Dale Trott</a>, Lecturer, Environmental Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140" target="_blank">CQUniversity Australia</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sanitising-the-city-does-spraying-the-streets-work-against-coronavirus-136966" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sanitising the city: does spraying the streets work against coronavirus?

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION 
Feeling lonely? A dog may help. Our research out today confirms what many dog owners already know: dogs are great companions that can help you to feel less lonely.
Cuddles and slobbery kisses, meeting other dog owners in the park and a general lift in mood all likely help.
But our study, published today in <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-7770-5" target="_blank">BMC Public Health</a>, found dogs didn’t affect psychological distress, the type seen in depression and anxiety.
Why are we studying this?
<a href="https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/report/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people/" target="_blank">Almost two in five Australian households own a dog</a>. And although most dog owners will assure you, in no uncertain terms, their dog is a source of sheer happiness, scientific evidence is lacking.
Most previous studies have compared the mental well-being of dog owners to non-owners at a single point in time. The problem with these studies is they cannot tell if dogs actually make us happier, less lonely or less stressed. They also cannot tell us if dog owners are simply in a more positive state of mind in the first place.
So, in this study, we measured mental well-being at three points in time: before owning a dog, three months after owning a dog and eight months after owning a dog.
What did we do?
<a href="https://sydney.edu.au/charles-perkins-centre/our-research/current-research/physical-activity-exercise-and-energy-expenditure/dog-ownership-and-human-health" target="_blank">Our study</a>, known as the PAWS trial, involved 71 Sydney adults who were separated into three groups:
<ul>
<li>people who bought a dog within one month of starting the study</li>
<li>people who were interested in getting a dog in the near future but agreed not to get one during the study, and</li>
<li>people who had no interest in getting a dog.</li>
</ul>
People filled out surveys to measure their mood, loneliness and symptoms of psychological distress at the three different time-points. We then compared the mental well-being of the groups at the beginning of the study, to the mid-point and to the end-point.
Here’s what we found
New dog owners felt less lonely after they got a dog compared to the other two groups. The effect happened quite quickly, within three months of acquiring a dog. There was no further decrease in loneliness between three months and eight months.
We also found some evidence that dog owners had fewer negative emotions, such as nervousness or distress, within three months of getting a new dog but this finding was not as clear cut.
We found that symptoms of depression and anxiety were unchanged after acquiring a dog. Maybe the dog owners in our study already had low levels of psychological distress before they got a dog, so dog ownership didn’t lower these levels any further.
What does it all mean?
There are lots of possible reasons dogs can help to lessen feelings of loneliness. We know having a quick cuddle with a dog <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08927936.2015.1070008" target="_blank">boosts people’s mood in the short-term</a>. Maybe daily dog cuddles can also boost owners’ mood in the long-term which could help to lower feelings of loneliness.
Dog owners may also meet new people through their dog as <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1348/000712600161673" target="_blank">people are more likely to talk strangers if they are accompanied by a dog</a>. In our study, dog owners also said they had met new people in their neighbourhood because of their dog.
So far, there have only been two similar studies to look at mental well-being in new dog owners, one of which was conducted almost 30 years ago.
Of these studies, one found dog owners had <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1774745" target="_blank">fewer symptoms of psychiatric disorders</a> after they acquired a dog. The other study found <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279307X245473" target="_blank">no difference in loneliness</a> after people brought a new dog home.
Dogs may also improve our <a href="https://ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/cir.0b013e31829201e1" target="_blank">physical health</a>, by reducing blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health and increasing the amount of physical activity their owners perform. But, as is the case with mental well-being, the scientific evidence is still limited.
So, what happens next?
One of the things our study cannot determine is how dogs affect men’s mental well-being. By chance, all the new dog owners in our study were women. So, we don’t know whether dogs affect men’s mental well-being in a different way to women’s.
Our next step is to look at mental well-being in a much bigger group of new dog owners to confirm these findings. A bigger study could also provide more insight into the relationship between dog ownership and mental illness, such as depression and anxiety.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/125495/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Lauren Powell, PhD candidate, University of Sydney.
Emmanuel Stamatakis, Professor of Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Population Health, University of Sydney.
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/dogs-really-can-chase-away-loneliness-125495" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

Public Health

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Public Health

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.