The final apartments in the most recently completed new development in Balwyn present some of the largest and most exclusive ever delivered in one of Melbourne’s most established and character-rich neighbourhoods.

Boutique developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wulff-projects">Wulff Projects</a>,&nbsp;alongside partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pga-group">PGA Group</a>, has just finished <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/threadneedle-balwyn-1-5-threadneedle-street-balwyn-vic-3103">Threadneedle</a>, 17 home-sized residences designed completely for the owner-occupier.

Named after its location on Threadneedle Street, the new project has been shaped by the heritage fabric of Balwyn. It offers two low-rise buildings of eight and nine apartments respectively, designed to emulate traditional standalone homes.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355582]

John Scaramuzzino, Director at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, explains the design intention.

“Given the quiet residential character of the street with many homes dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, we approached Threadneedle wanting to appear less as a collection of apartments and more as a traditional residence. This led to creating not one but two buildings that could “breathe” with larger garden-based apartments functioning more like small homes.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355605]

The north-facing residences are nestled among extensive landscaped gardens by Ben Scott Garden Design, with over one-third of the site dedicated to greenery. The resulting setting is one of calm seclusion, where architecture and landscape work in tandem to offer immediate liveability.

With construction now complete, the final apartments include a top-floor, single-level penthouse residence priced from $2.8 million. This home offers three bedrooms, a dedicated study, two bathrooms plus powder room, and three car spaces with an oversized storage room.&nbsp;

Interiors prioritise spatial comfort and natural light, with three-metre-high ceilings, oversized internal doors and a full-width terrace oriented to the north, east and west.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355604]

Floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows ensure thermal performance across seasons, supported by automated external blinds, zoned heating and cooling, and a fireplace for added ambiance.

Each apartment has been individually designed to maximise privacy and garden outlooks. Kitchens combine refined finishes with practical considerations: stone benchtops, butler’s pantry, full-height joinery and concealed rangehoods.&nbsp;

The inclusion of dedicated home offices responds to contemporary living patterns, while bathrooms feature sculptural bathtubs and brushed nickel fixtures.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355590]

Threadneedle also integrates best-practice sustainability measures, achieving a 7 Star average NatHERS rating. Initiatives include solar PV systems, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and irrigation, and high-performing building insulation. These elements enhance daily comfort while reducing ongoing maintenance and energy demand.

"We believe Threadneedle sets a new standard of design excellence and building quality for Balwyn,"&nbsp;Scaramuzzino added.

"It’s an architectural response we’re particularly proud of, and one we’re sure residents will be equally proud to call home."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=27816]

Staff Writer

Final homes remaining as Threadneedle, Balwyn completes construction

Joel Robinson

Sydney's top 15 new apartments developments set to launch in 2026

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

The outdoor amenities elevating life at Senso, Epping

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

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

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

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

Regional Nsw

Although summer has passed by, Sydney&rsquo;s latest lockdown has reminded many Australians of the benefits that come with investing in a coastal holiday home.

SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher claimed that its likely regional occupancy has already reached its highpoint.

&ldquo;With the costs of renting a holiday home soaring thanks to huge local demand, combined with record-low interest rates, we&rsquo;re experiencing a unique situation where it may actually be more cost-effective to buy rather than regularly rent a holiday home&rdquo;, said David Hancock, senior financial planner at Montara Wealth.

To assist in your search, Urban takes a look at five stunning coastal properties to consider in regional NSW.

1. Horizon, Gosford 
Developer: JMGM 
Two-bedroom apartment prices available upon request

[smartcode_project:default project_id=101204 project_image_fid=162047]

Delivered by JMGM, Horizon comprises 184 architecturally-designed in one, two and three-bedroom configurations.

Set across 24 stories, the mixed-use development boasts spacious interiors and 2,500 sqm of retail space that forms a vibrant precinct in the heart of Gosford.

In the beautiful Gosford region of the NSW Central Coast, residents can enjoy magnificent national parks, sparkling waterways and golden sandy beaches.

2. Ridgewaters, Kiama 
Developer: St Trinity Property Group 
Three-bedroom apartments from $945,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27858 project_image_fid=162070]

Positioned amongst Kiama&rsquo;s serene landscape and only a short walk to pristine beaches, Ridgewaters is a selection of three-bedroom apartments.

This collection of luxury apartments presents an ideal home for a range of purchasers, from retirees and young families to investors and holidaymakers searching for a laid-back coastal lifestyle.

Located just 90 minutes south of Sydney and 30 minutes from Wollongong CBD, the boutique two-storey development promises convenience and local amenity.

3. Sky Residences, Newcastle 
Developer: GWH 
Two-bedroom apartments from $675,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8430 project_image_fid=28045]

Sky Residences is Newcastle&rsquo;s newest skyline tower in the heart of the CBD&rsquo;s Civic Cultural Precinct, connecting residents to everything they love.

Offering a choice of 180 apartments in one, two and three-bedroom configurations, Sky boasts light-filled living spaces, security swipe access and energy-efficient fittings.

&ldquo;We reserved the prime rooftop space, making it possible for every SKY resident to enjoy unprecedented 360-degree views and contemporary lifestyle amenities that enrich the way they live&rdquo;, GWH managing director Jonathan Craig said. 
 
4. Midtown, Wollongong 
Developer: Level 33 
Two-bedroom apartments from $575,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=34275 project_image_fid=153610]

Midtown encompasses a collection of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments that capture the impressive views of the Illawarra Escarpment.

Delivered by Level 33, the home includes a ground-level retail podium that activates the building, a number of apartments that boast ocean views and a communal rooftop entertaining terrace.

The development is perfectly located for those who desire convenience and connection, and will benefit from the Wollongong Council&rsquo;s $800 million infrastructure investment 2018-2022.

5. Highpoint, Charlestown 
Developer: GWH 
Two-bedroom apartments from $640,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8980 project_image_fid=28277]

Developed and built by Hunter locals, GWH, Highpoint boasts premium finishes and fittings that are purposefully designed to reflect the needs of today&rsquo;s living.

The development is located in Charlestown, the shopping, dining and entertainment precinct of Lake Macquarie, ideal for young families and downsizers.

Exclusive to Highpoint residents is the terrace garden, entertainment and barbeque area on the level three podium, as well as a rooftop entertaining space.

Although summer has passed by, Sydney’s latest lockdown has reminded many Australians of the benefits that come with investing in a coastal holiday home

max.kwok_55688

Five coastal apartments to consider in NSW

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
Most of the strongest markets in the nation are now in regional Australia. And regional NSW is the strongest market jurisdiction in the nation.
The key point is that regional New South Wales is moving in the opposite direction to Sydney. While there are now few rising markets in the state capital, there are growth locations spread across the regions of NSW.
Hotspotting’s Winter 2018 survey for The Price Predictor Index reveals that a record 38 local government areas have growth markets – a total of 60 suburbs or towns with rising sales activity.
1. Newcastle and the Hunter Region form a compelling growth precinct. Suburbs in the City of Newcastle have had very strong price growth (most have had double-digit growth and some have risen 20% or more) in the 12 months.
Now the momentum has shifted to neighbouring Lake Macquarie and locations in the nearby Hunter Region near Newcastle (including Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton and Muswellbrook).
Sales in the suburb of Rutherford in the Maitland LGA have been 64, 75, 70, 91, 86, 99 and 102 in the past seven quarters, while Medowie in the Port Stephens LGA have risen from around 40 a year ago to 55 in the latest quarter.
2. Muswellbrook and Singleton continue to improve after the previous downturn caused by over-development and a downturn in the coal industry.
Muswellbrook’s quarterly sales have risen from 41 to 52 to 57 to 75 over 12 months. Singleton and Singleton Heights combined previously had 35 to 45 sales per quarter but in the past 12 months quarterly sales have been 55, 58, 88 and 86.
Following the merger of the Wyong and Gosford LGAs to form the Central Coast LGA, this municipality is now a significant market in regional NSW. The sales patterns suggest this market has probably passed its peak – there are a large number of Plateau markets, places where sales activity has tapered off at levels below the peak.
But sales growth in the recent past has created strong growth in median house prices in the last 12 months, including in Narara (13%), North Gosford (16%), Terrigal (10%), Toukley (15%), Umina Beach (17%) and Wyoming (16%).
3. Queanbeyan on the ACT border continues to stand out as an affordable growth alternative to Canberra. The LGA of Queanbeyan-Palerang has multiple suburbs/towns with upwardly-mobile sales activity. Quarterly sales in Queanbeyan (the suburb) have been 38, 40, 50 and 59 in the past year.
Queanbeyan is closer to central Canberra than many parts of the ACT, has more affordable prices than most Canberra suburbs and benefits from first-home-buyer incentives available in NSW.
Other regional centres to stand out as above-average markets in regional NSW include Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Grafton Gunnedah, Lismore, Orange, Parkes, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
A number of regional towns that would normally not attract much attention from investors are also rising, including Griffith, Inverell, Kempsey, Leeton and Tumut.
A standout is Merimbula on the far south coast of NSW. Quarterly sales have been 36, 46, 47, 56, 55 and 60 in the past 18 months and the median price has risen 18% in the past year.4
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

The three strongest property markets in NSW: Terry Ryder

<html><body>
The slow and inevitable fade of the Sydney market is happening in concert with a rise in New South Wales regional markets.
Hotspotting’s monitoring of sales activity shows there are growth markets across the state – indeed Regional NSW now has more upwardly-mobile markets than Sydney does.
The Newcastle region and the Central Coast stand out, as markets a little north of Sydney head a strong NSW Regional sector.
While the Sydney market is past its peak and has relatively few growth markets compared to 2015/2016, Regional New South Wales has risen.
Our Spring survey has identified almost 50 regional towns or suburbs with rising markets – a little down on the number revealed in the Winter report, but still very strong.
I’ve observed previously that Newcastle and the regions surrounding it have provided the stand-out precinct in Regional NSW.
This remains the case, but with a new market leader - the Lake Macquarie LGA on the fringe of Newcastle.
This municipality has five suburbs where sales activity is rising steadily and six others with steady sales performance. Growth suburbs include Belmont North, Edgeworth, Macquarie Hills, Toronto and Warners Bay.
Nearby LGAs (including the municipalities of Port Stephens, Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton and Muswellbrook) all have busy sales activity. 
Jointly the Newcastle/Hunter region has 19 growth markets (up from 17 three months ago).
To illustrate what some of these markets look like, dwelling sales in Cessnock have been 65, 67, 84, 90, 96 and 101 in the past six consecutive quarters. This kind of pattern inevitably delivers price growth – and the median house price for Cessnock has increased 13% in the past 12 months.
Hunter Valley locations like Muswellbrook and Singleton continue to improve after the previous downturn caused by over-development and a downturn in the coal industry.
Following the merger of the Wyong and Gosford LGAs to form the Central Coast council area, this municipality is now a significant market in Regional NSW.
It has four rising locations, but 24 with steady sales performance (many of them what we called “plateau” markets, where sales have levelled off a little below the peak), which indicates this market overall is strong but past its best.
On the south coast of NSW, both Batehaven and Tuross Head in the Eurobodalla LGA have growth markets.
Queanbeyan on the ACT border continues to excel as an affordable growth alternative to Canberra. Others to stand out as above-average growth markets in Regional NSW include Bathurst, Dubbo, Taree, Tuncurry and Gunnedah.
Tamworth, Orange, Goulburn, Ballina and Wagga Wagga all have solid markets with steady sales activity.
Areas which were among the Regional NSW growth stars previously, but have now levelled out with plateau markets, include locations close to Sydney which caught a ripple effect from the capital city boom: Wollongong, Blue Mountains and the lifestyle towns of Wingecarribee Shire (the Southern Highlands).
Other previous growth stars now past their peaks include Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
</body></html>

Regional NSW now has more upwardly-mobile markets than Sydney

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
The vast majority of NSW Regional markets have price levels higher than 12 months ago – 85% of the locations in our latest survey have recorded growth in the past year.
Hotspotting has surveyed 303 significant markets across the state outside of Sydney (we exclude small markets with fewer than 30 sales in a year, as small sales samples provided distorted medians and unreliable figures on growth or decline). 
Of these, 171 (56%) have recorded median price growth above 5% and a further 88 (29%) have had growth between 1% and 5%.
The 171 locations with growth above 5% included 78 places which had double-digit price growth in the past 12 months.
It provides quite a stark contrast to the trends in Sydney.
Our survey reveals only 11 Regional NSW locations where prices have dropped by more than 5% and another 33 where prices have fallen marginally (between 1% and 5%).
The regional growth has been led by 14 markets with growth of 20% or more: 
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Ballina units (up 21%), </li>
<li class="li1">Berry houses (up 36%), </li>
<li class="li1">Broken Hill houses (up 21%), </li>
<li class="li1">Casino units (up 31%), </li>
<li class="li1">Casuarina houses (up 20%), </li>
<li class="li1">Crestwood houses (up 25%),</li>
<li class="li1">Moruya houses (up 23%), </li>
<li class="li1">Sawtell units (up 21%), </li>
<li class="li1">Catalina houses (up 20%), </li>
<li class="li1">Shelly Beach houses (up 29%), </li>
<li class="li1">Wangi Wangi houses (up 40%), </li>
<li class="li1">Uranga houses (up 21%), </li>
<li class="li1">Tura Beach units (up 26%), and </li>
<li class="li1">Taree units (up 20%).</li>
</ul>
The Newcastle region (above) continues to be strong on price growth. The LGAs of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens all have multiple suburbs with solid to strong median price growth in the past year.
Lake Macquarie markets with rising prices include Belmont, Belmont North, Cardiff, Cardiff South, Caves Beach, Edgeworth, Macquarie Hills, Speers Point, Swansea, Wangi Wangi and Warners Bay.
Other precincts with significant numbers of locations with solid-to-strong price growth include the Central Coast, the Tweed region, Byron Bay and Ballina.
In terms of locations with rising demand, as measured by quarterly sales activity, this Autumn 2019 survey has found 61 Regional NSW locations with markets trending upwards, up from 53 in the Summer 2019 survey but down on the 70 rising markets identified in the Spring 2018 analysis.
There are new growth leaders revealed in this survey: the Lake Macquarie LGA beside Newcastle has six rising markets while the Wagga Wagga LGA has five.
As we have recorded in previous reports, the Hunter Region is a growth market – the LGAs of Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter (Scone) all present markets where buyer demand is trending higher.
Other centres where markets are busy include the municipalities of Queanbeyan-Palerang, Albury, Ballina, Bathurst, Tamworth and Armidale. Smaller centres with momentum include Parkes, Kyogle, Kempsey, Mudgee, Griffith, Glen Innes, Forbes, Cootamundra , Young and Broken Hill.
A number of major markets that were previously leaders in Regional NSW are now showing signs of having passed their peaks in terms of sales demand, although several of these continue to deliver good price growth.
The Central Coast still has a small number of growth suburbs, but a much greater number of plateau markets – and now there are four we have classified as declining markets. 
This market is perhaps more influenced by Sydney than most in the Regional NSW and the level of sales activity has declined recently – although some locations still have price levels well above those of a year ago, including Shelly Beach (29%), Ettalong Beach (17%), Halekulani (11%), Saratoga (11%) and Wamberal (13%).
Newcastle still has four suburbs classified as rising markets, but many more than are plateau or consistency markets. There are similar trends with Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour, the Southern Highlands and the Blue Mountains – notably, most of them places quite close to Sydney.
While our survey found only 11 Regional NSW markets with median prices down more than 5% in the past year, five of them were in the Wollongong LGA, providing further evidence that this previously strong market is now past its peak.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
</body></html>

Regional New South Wales continues to see property price growth: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
Markets in Regional NSW continue to head in the opposite direction to Sydney. While the Sydney market is showing increasing signs of decline (generally speaking – there are exceptions), the cities and towns of Regional NSW are delivering growth markets right across the state.
This is particularly evident in the price data. Hotspotting’s location-by-location analysis has revealed 150 Regional NSW locations where median prices have grown 5% or more in the past year, of which 65 locations have increased more than 10%.
In addition to the 150 places with 5%-plus price growth, there are another 67 locations with annual price growth between 1% and 5%.
The growth has been led by seven locations with growth of 20% or more: Crestwood (up 26%) Evans Head (up 23%), Kiama (up 22%), Catalina (up 21%), Berry (up 20%), Soldiers Point (up 23%) and the Shoal Bay unit market (up 31%).
The Newcastle region has been particularly strong on price growth in the past year. The LGAs of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens all have multiple suburbs with solid to strong median price growth.
The Central Coast is another standout, with 13 suburbs with median price growth above 5%, including Ettalong Beach (up 17%), Kincumber (up 10%) and Wamberai (up 13%).
In terms of locations with rising demand, as measured by quarterly sales activity, our Summer survey has found 53 Regional NSW locations with markets trending upwards. This is slightly below the average of the past two years and is down on the 70 rising markets identified in the Spring 2018 sales survey.
The Queanbeyan-Palerang LGA just outside Canberra is the leading precinct, with five locations with rising demand. Leading locations include Crestwood and Queanbeyan East, where quarterly sales activity has been trending steadily upwards over the past 1-2 years. Crestwood’s median house price has risen 26% in the past 12 months.
The Newcastle region continues to stand out, although Newcastle itself is past the peak in terms of sales activity. There are only two Newcastle suburbs with rising demand but many with plateau markets. The previous strong demand is still delivering significant price growth and a number of suburbs (including Hamilton, Hamilton South, Mayfield, Wallsend and North Lambton) have risen more than 10% in the past year.
Outside Newcastle in neighbouring LGAs, Lake Macquarie and Maitland both have four suburbs with rising demand, while nearby Port Stephens has two. Out in the Hunter Region, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone all have increasing buyer activity. Muswellbrook’s quarterly sales have been 41, 52, 57, 74, 60 and 78 in the past 18 months – and its median house price has risen 8% to $305,000 in the past year.
Tamworth is one of the emerging markets. It now has four suburbs with rising demand, including North Tamworth where quarterly sales have been 17, 30, 34, 39, 34, 41 and 45 – with its median house price up 11.5% to $430,000 in the past 12 months.
There are towns with growth markets right across Regional NSW, including Casino, Kyogle, Cooma, Griffith, Parkes, Gunnedah, Cowra, Glen Innes, Inverell, Gloucester, Lithgow, Mudgee, Tuncurry and Broken Hill.
Some significant markets have passed their peaks in terms of sales activity, but still have strong prices. They include the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, the towns of the Wingecarribee LGA and the Tweed region near the Queensland border.
In the Tweed area, prices have risen strongly in the past 12 months in Bogangar (11%), Casuarina (19%) and Kingscliff (14%).
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au, ryder@hotspotting.com.au, twitter.com/hotspotting
</body></html>

Regional NSW rising as Sydney falls: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
Regional NSW is now one of the most compelling growth markets in Australia. There are locations right across the state with growing sales activity and many places are delivering double-digit annual price growth.
Regional NSW continues to move in the opposite direction to Sydney. While there are now few rising markets in the state capital, there are growth locations spread across the regions of NSW: a record 39 local government areas have rising markets.
Queanbeyan on the ACT border (above) is the leading precinct, as it continues to stand out as an affordable growth alternative to Canberra. The LGA of Queanbeyan-Palerang has seven Rising Steadily suburbs/towns. Quarterly sales in Queanbeyan (the suburb) have been 39, 40, 50, 59, 38 and 62 in the past 18 months. Many locations in this precinct have had double-digit annual price growth, headed by Crestwood (up 18%).
Newcastle and nearby LGAs also form a compelling growth precinct. Suburbs in the City of Newcastle have had very strong price growth (many have risen between 10% and 20% in the past 12 months).
Now the momentum has shifted to neighbouring Lake Macquarie (which has five suburbs with strongly rising demand) and locations in the nearby Hunter Region (including Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton and Muswellbrook) and neighbouring Port Stephens. Jointly the Newcastle/Hunter region has 19 suburbs with rising markets.
The Maitland LGA has five of them, including Rutherford (median $400,000) where quarterly sales have been 64, 75, 70, 91, 83, 99, 96, 81 and 102 in the past two years, while Aberglasslyn (median $470,000) has recorded 27, 37, 41 and 48 sales in the past year. Both locations have recorded 6% rises in their median prices, with further growth expected. 
Muswellbrook and Singleton continue to improve after the previous downturn caused by over-development and a downturn in the coal industry. Muswellbrook’s quarterly sales have risen from 41 to 52 to 57 to 74 to 83– and its median price has risen 11% over 12 months to $305,000.
Many suburbs in the Lake Macquarie LGA have had strong annual price growth, including Belmont (up 13%), Edgeworth (up 12.5%), Warners Bay (12.5%) and Swansea (15.5%).
Port Stephens just outside Newcastle is also producing growth markets, with demand rising in Medowie, Corlette and Shoal Bay, and solid markets also in Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay and Raymond Terrace. Many of these locations have had double-digit annual price growth, including Nelson Bay (up 17%) and Medowie (up 12%).
Others to stand out as above-average markets in Regional NSW include Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Lismore, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga. Sales in Casino in the Richmond Valley area have been 62, 65, 63, 71, 74 and 91 in recent quarters, with the median price up 14% to $285,000.
A number of regional towns that would normally not attract much attention from investors are rising, including Broken Hill, Glen Innes, Gloucester, Inverell, Kempsey, Kyogle, Leeton, Malua Bay, Mudgee and Tumut.
Quarterly sales in Inverell have been 52, 56, 56, 69, 69, 60 and 81, with the median price rising 16% to $275,000 in the past 12 months.
Areas which were among the Regional NSW growth stars previously, but have now levelled out with plateau markets, include locations close to Sydney which caught a ripple effect from the city boom, such as the Blue Mountains, the lifestyle towns of Wingecarribee Shire (the Southern Highlands) as well as Wollongong and nearby locations. 
Other previous growth stars now past their peaks include Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and the Tweed region – but all remain solid markets with prices rising.
The Central Coast LGA, which has been busy for 2-3 years, is still producing growth markets, although it has a greater number of plateau markets. Many Central Coast locations have recorded strong price growth in the past 12 months – including Point Frederick (up 15%), Kincumber (15%), Wamberal (17%) and Gwandalan (13%).
Other regions delivering big price movements include Ballina in the north-east of the state, where Ballina, East Ballina, Lennox Head and West Ballina (up 28%) have lifted significantly the past year. 
Other north-eastern areas with rising prices include Kyogle (up 15%), Lismore (12%) and Casino (14%).
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
</body></html>

Queanbeyan leads the 39 rising growth areas in regional New South Wales: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
The pre-election negativity that hit real estate in the first half of 2019 impacted previously busy Regional NSW markets, with the lowest number of growth markets in two years. It nevertheless remains one of the nation’s busiest market jurisdictions. 
And price performance has been good in many locations, with 60% of Regional NSW markets delivering median price growth in the past 12 months.
Regional NSW continues to provide a stark contrast to Sydney. While many sectors of the Sydney market have been in decline, the cities and towns of Regional NSW have proved resilient – even though not as strong as in 2018.
Last year Hotspotting’s Spring 2018 survey found 70 locations with rising demand in Regional NSW and the Autumn 2019 identified 61 growth markets. But this latest Winter 2019 found only 40 growth markets – still solid by national standards but well down on the levels of the past year or two.
The sales data on which this survey is based pre-dates the Federal Election in mid-May and the subsequent positive events such as interest rate reductions, easier finance (the APRA changes) and the tax cuts.
So any locations that delivered rising sales activity in that pre-election climate have strong claims to being regarded as growth markets.
There are still growth markets in and around Newcastle (pictured above), although this market overall appears well past its peak. The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGAs both have suburbs with growing sales demand, but they are outnumbered by plateau markets.
But locations near Newcastle, such as the Port Stephens LGA, remain buoyant, led by Anna Bay, Medowie and Salamander Bay. Some sections of the Hunter Valley still have momentum, including Cessnock and Muswellbrook.
The same cannot be said for the Central Coast. Two years ago, this was the strongest market in NSW but it’s now well past its peak. Bateau Bay and Budgewoi still have some forward momentum, but the Central Coast now has 19 plateau markets and seven we classify as declining markets (including Toukley, Gwandalan, North Gosford, Point Frederick, San Remo and The Entrance). We note also the decline in median prices in many Central Coast locations.
Similarly, other regional centres close to Sydney have passed their peaks and started to decline, including Wollongong, the Southern Highlands and the Blue Mountains (although Katoomba remains busy). The Byron Bay market is another to have lost its mojo.
The growth markets in Regional NSW are now found further afield. The Tweed LGA at the Queensland border is particularly busy at the moment, headed by Casuarina, Kingscliff and Terranora. Quarterly sales in Kingscliff have been 59, 61, 67 and 70 – and its median house price has risen 19% to $1,025,000.
At the other end of the state, Wagga Wagga continues to be a market leader, led by upwardly mobile suburbs like Gobbagombalin, Kooringal and Lake Albert. Quarterly sales in Wagga Wagga (the suburb) have been 37, 39, 48 and 50 in the past 12 months – and its median price has started to rise, up 4% in the past 12 months.
And the Eurobodalla LGA in the South Coast region has some busy markets, notably Catalina and Malua Bay.
A large number of smaller and distant regional centres have growth markets, including Grafton, Forbes, Griffith, Wingham, Mudgee and Gulgong in the Mid Western LGA, Leeton, Lismore, Nambucca Heads and Young.
There has been plenty of price growth in Regional NSW markets, though not as prolific as in our previous survey.
Three months in our Autumn 2019 report we commented: “The vast majority of NSW Regional markets have price levels higher than 12 months ago – 85% of the locations in our survey have recorded growth in the past year.”
This Winter 2019 survey finds that 61% of house markets and 53% of unit markets have median prices higher than a year ago. 
Locations with strong price growth include three locations in the Tweed LGA – Casuarina (up 21% to $1,150,000), Kingscliff (up 19% to $1,025,000) and Tweed Heads South (up 15% to $585,000).
But the biggest growth has been recorded by Berry in the Shoalhaven region, up 25% to $1,300,000.
A number of apartment markets have recorded median price growth above 20%, including Nambucca Heads, Ballina, Sawtell and Taree.
At the other end of the scale, many Central Coast locations have recorded declines in their median prices. House markets to fall include those in Wyoming (8%), Woy Woy (5%), Umina Beach (6%), North Gosford (7%), Long Jetty (9%), Wyong (6%) and Gorokan (8%). 
Among the apartment markets, those to drop include Woy Woy (6%), Toukley (9%), Umina Beach (9%), East Gosford (12%), Gorokan (8%), Terrigal (6%) and Berkeley Vale (19%).
Some of key markets in Wingecarribee LGA in the Southern Highlands region have dropped also, including Bowral (6%) and Mittagong (10%).
Suffolk Park at Byron Bay has recorded a 17% fall in its median house price to $1,050,000.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
</body></html>

2019 property price growth markets in Regional NSW are now found further afield: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER 
Regional NSW is showing nation-leading strength, with a record number of towns and suburbs recording growth in their sales activity in our new quarterly survey.

A total of 116 locations have rising markets, easily the highest number in the six years that Hotspotting has been conducting its quarterly surveys. The previous best were 70 growth locations in a mid-2018 survey and 77 late in 2019.

The results show evidence of the Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle trend which is sweeping the nation, with growth markets right across the state but most noticeably in locations close to Sydney.

The No.1 market, by a considerable margin, is the Central Coast. As the closest sea change market to Sydney, this market is getting significant uplift from the Exodus trend. There are 17 suburbs with rising sales activity and we expect strong price growth in the near future.

South of Sydney, the Wollongong, Shoalhaven and Shellharbour LGA jointly have 10 suburbs with upwardly-mobile markets.

Hill change markets within striking distance of Sydney are also rising, including the Blue Mountains (where four locations have rising sales activity) and the Southern Highlands (with five towns in the Wingecarribee LGA having upward sales momentum – refer below for data on price growth).

The Queanbeyan-Palerang LGA just outside Canberra is also thriving – it has five locations with rising sales activity. Nearby Goulburn is also a growth market.

The data for Newcastle is somewhat muted – it has only five growth suburbs, which is a small number for a city of its size in the current circumstances.

But neighbouring municipalities are doing better: Lake Macquarie has six growth suburbs, while Hunter Valley LGAs like Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton and Muswellbrook jointly have seven growth locations – with the Maitland LGA the standout.

The growth momentum has now spread further afield, with strength evident in markets like Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Albury and Wagga Wagga.

The strategic regional cities of Tamworth and Wagga Wagga both have five suburbs with rising sales activity.

In the Eurobodalla LGA on the state’s south coast, there is growth impetus in Malua Bay, Moruya and Tuross Head.

In terms of price performance, Regional NSW has done well in the past 12 months but in particular in the latest quarter.

Two-thirds of locations across Regional NSW have recorded growth in their median house prices in the past 12 months, but eight out ten have recorded uplift in the most recent quarter.

This indicates that the regional areas of the state have had an uplift in price performance recently, with the Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle a major influence.

The outcomes in annual terms include 67% of locations with apartment markets recording increases in their median unit prices and 65% of locations also having increases in median house prices.

Multiple locations have delivered double-digit increases in their median house prices over the past 12 months.

The Southern Highlands region south of Sydney is a standout. Median prices are up strongly in Bowral (23%), Burradoo (13%) and Mittagong (10%), boosted by the trend of people relocating from the big cities to lifestyle locations.

Parts of the Wollongong market are showing signs of benefiting from the trend, with Bulli up 13% and Thirroul up 18%. The Central Coast is a natural beneficiary also and several suburbs have delivered strong rises, including Umina Beach (10%) and Wyong (15%).

Ballina is also doing well, with annual median price increases in the suburbs of Ballina (15%), East Ballina (10%) and West Ballina (12%). Further north, locations in Tweed Shire are rising, including Kingscliff (12%) and Murwillumbah (10%).

In the far south of the state, the Wagga Wagga region continues to be a strongly-performing market, with median house prices rising in Lake Albert (11%), Mt Austin (11%) and Wagga Wagga (14%).

Growth markets are sprinkled throughout the regional areas of the state and across different price ranges. They include Caves Beach (up 11% to $870,000), Corowa (up 11% to $265,000), Inverell (up 11% to $290,000), Kyogle (up 12% to $300,000), Maitland (up 15% to $460,000), Malua Bay (up 24% to $640,000), South Grafton (up 12% to $280,000), Windradyne (up 11% to $460,000), Yass (up 18% to $500,000) and Young (up 11% to $310,000).

Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au 
ryder@hotspotting.com.au 
twitter.com/hotspotting 
 
</body></html>

terryryder

Regional NSW property market showing nation-leading strength: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

<html><body>
Non-essential travel to regional NSW towns and remote communities must be cancelled and Easter holidaymakers should indefinitely postpone their visits, in line with the nationwide effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said National Cabinet has clearly asked everyone to stay at home unless they are shopping for essentials, are receiving medical care, are undertaking daily exercise or are attending work or school.
“My message today is simple, now is not the time to travel from metropolitan areas to regional NSW for a holiday, for meetings, or even to relocate yourselves for a longer period - the safest thing you can do right now is stay in your community,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This also applies to people living in regional NSW towns, because the virus does not discriminate and does not care about borders, so now is not the time to travel between towns, whether it be for meetings or even to visit family and friends.
“To help slow the spread we need to do the right thing by our families, friends and neighbours, which means staying 1.5 metres away from others, avoid social gatherings, wash hands and ensure that if you are sick, that you self-isolate.”
Mr Barilaro said he is particularly worried about city residents using the upcoming Easter break to try and relocate themselves to regional NSW in an attempt to escape quarantine, which would be extremely dangerous for rural and remote communities.
“We continue to battle the worst drought in recorded history, we have endured bushfires that took the lives of 25 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes and what we don’t need is people spreading the virus across regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
“I know towns hit hard by the drought and bushfires are relying on holidaymakers to keep people in jobs and put food on the table, but right now health and safety is paramount and lives depend on every single one of us doing our part by staying at home.”
Mr Barilaro said help is available to people across regional NSW, particularly people who are isolated and the elderly, and encouraged anyone who needs a hand to call the NSW Government’s COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Non-essential travel to regional NSW towns and remote communities must be cancelled: NSW Government

<html><body>
Scone's Westpac branch building has sold under the hammer for $730,000.
The building at 170-172 Kelly Street in the Scone town centre has been occupied by Westpac for over 15 years.
They currently have a lease until 2022, with options to 2032.
The property, with 430 sqm of NLA and a 22 metre retail frontage, sold with a net income of $48,000 per annum.
It last traded in 2015 when it sold for $582,000, slow growth from its $550,000 sale 10 years earlier.
Kieran Bourke and Beau Coulter, from Burgess Rawson Melbourne, secured the sale.
</body></html>

Regional Nsw

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.

Regional Nsw

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.