A new chapter in Sydney’s urban renewal story begins today as NSW Premier Chris Minns officially turns the sod for Dawn, the fifth stage of Sekisui House Australia’s $5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> masterplanned community.

Developed in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-melrose-park-bundil-boulevard-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Dawn</a> will deliver 368 parkside residences, forming part of one of NSW’s largest privately owned urban renewal projects.&nbsp;

The milestone marks the start of the next phase in transforming Melrose Park into a new community delivering over 5,500 homes, a mixed-use town centre, 50,000 sqm of open green spaces and several future schools.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145496 project_image_fid=352993]

Kazunori Ito, Group CEO and Managing Director at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a>, said the milestone symbolises the company’s ongoing commitment to job creation, housing supply and sustainable community building.

“This moment represents more than just the start of construction," Ito said.

"It is about building a new urban heart for Sydney’s geographic centre. Dawn and the wider Melrose Park masterplan will generate thousands of jobs, deliver quality homes for families and help more people realise the dream of home ownership.

“We are proud to be supporting the NSW government’s housing targets and expanded Home Guarantee Scheme, which came into effect on 1 October. The program is already opening doors for more first home buyers at Melrose Park, many of whom are using the scheme to purchase with a five per cent deposit and no Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145496 project_image_fid=334163]

Since its introduction, the enhanced federal government’s Home Guarantee Scheme has given first home buyers greater access to the property market. With value thresholds in New South Wales now lifted to $1.5 million, buyers can secure a new apartment in Melrose Park sooner, reducing the burden of saving a 20 per cent deposit and removing costly mortgage insurance premiums.&nbsp;

The Dawn precinct, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">Group GSA</a> embodies Sekisui House’s global “Love of Humanity” philosophy, integrating sustainability, technology and liveability into every design detail. Residents will enjoy abundant green space, energy efficient features and a direct connection to the future Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 and Melrose Park Town Centre set to open in 2026.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145496 project_image_fid=354734]

As part of the NSW government’s long-term commitment to the local community, work recently commenced on the new Melrose Park High School, a state-of-the-art education facility designed to accommodate more than 1,000 students. The school will be within walking distance to Dawn and will become a cornerstone of the precinct’s family friendly environment.

Melrose Park’s smart community vision includes EV charging stations, environmental monitoring systems with Western Sydney University and NBN node to residence connectivity. With over $216 million in planning contributions committed to local and state infrastructure, this project supports NSW’s 30-minute city goal, ensuring residents can live, work and play within easy reach of key employment and lifestyle hubs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145496 project_image_fid=334049]

Dawn’s contemporary residences all have secure basement parking and start at $649,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1.259 million for three-bedrooms.&nbsp;

The project will also overlook Central Park which spans nearly two hectares and features barbeque and picnic areas, children’s play zones and walking tracks ideal for active residents and pets.

Residents will enjoy exclusive rooftop community facilities including private rooftop gardens, beautifully landscaped podium parks and internal courtyard gardens.

Construction of Dawn, which is being led by regarded builder Decode, will be completed by Q1 2028, adding to Sekisui House’s pipeline of more than 9,000 homes and apartments under development across Australia.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145496]

Staff Writer

Premier Chris Minns turns sod at Dawn Melrose Park as construction commences

Southport is set for one of its tallest new apartment developments in recent years with the approval of Malua, a 32-level tower just one row back from Broadwater.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/malua-18-22-norman-street-southport-qld-4215">Norman St tower</a> will comprise 151 apartments within the Southport Priority Development Area. The three adjoining lots, totalling 1,215 sqm, are currently occupied by three two-storey buildings, one a house, and two duplexes.

The majority of the apartments will be two-bedders (126), with just five one-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedrooms. There will be three basement levels, three podium levels, and a rooftop communal space with a pool, gym, private dining areas and business hub facilities.

<img alt="Malua" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21ab3437-de39-432c-b991-f33227b606dd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-06%20at%208.41.37%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_dOcjcvmSMyn6utzzviBVCAgDp5ZCo_N" />

There had been prior approval for a 14-storey building, however those plans became financially unviable.

“The proposed development seeks to resolve financial viability issues of the existing development approval by providing a higher density development with a more favourable unit mix and streamlined design,” the planning report submitted to the Gold Coast City Council noted.

Plus Studio designed the tower which "aims to contribute positively to the evolving Southport skyline, with vertical relief elements, sculpted facades, and rooftop crowning features."

“When stepping into the lobby from Norman Street, pedestrians and residents pass through a sculpted podium of lush green foliage in an earthy entry experience,” Plus wrote in its design report, emphasising the landscape-led approach to the podium and ground plane.

<img alt="Malua" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="694202c2-be8f-4cde-be26-a494293058a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-06%20at%208.42.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NOIFuolMkoE8vNerov63rnbFRk_TnYUy" />

There is renewed confidence in the development market in Southport. Buyers have jumped at the chance to buy at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/maris-southport-20-queen-street-southport-qld-4215">Maris</a>, the latest local Gold Coast development by MRCB. Over 75 per cent of the 192 apartments have been snapped up prior to launching to the market.&nbsp;

The last notable launch in the suburb was in late 2023 when <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eden-garden-residences-20-bauer-street-southport">Eden Garden Residences</a> hit the market. The 54 apartments, on the corner of Bauer Street and Chester Terrace, are under construction and due to complete in mid-2026.

Joel Robinson

First look: Southport tower Malua to rise 32 levels in latest Gold Coast approval

Woolworths Group’s development arm, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fabcot">Fabcot</a>, has unveiled its latest mixed-use development.

They are seeking to reshape a prominent site in Gladesville, on the northern edge of the town centre. They've filed a&nbsp;State Significant Development Application for the amalgamated 5,623 sqm block with street frontages to Victoria Road and Eltham Street that will see <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/363-victoria-road-gladesville-nsw-2111">two buildings with 171 apartments</a> sit above an activated retail ground plane.

The tallest tower, at 13 storeys, will face Victoria Road and home 115 dwellings. A smaller nine-sytorey tower, stepping down to Eltham Street, will have the remaining 56 apartments.

The towers will rise above a podium containing a full-line 3,800 sqm Woolworths supermarket and cafe, activating along the Westminster and Eltham Street frontages.

<img alt="Fabcot" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="da042a40-288e-41b8-becc-080f235a3717" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-06%20at%208.13.26%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=n99ay71Clcy6WLP4Uajw2ph6BA61wboV" />

The residential offering will include 19 one-bedroom, 118 two-bedroom, and 34 three-bedroom apartments. Residents will have access to rooftop communal terraces on both buildings, as well as a podium-level garden, contributing a total of 1,411 sqm of communal open space.

According to the Urban Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/clarke-hopkins-clarke">ClarkeHopkinsClarke</a>, “The massing places height and density along Victoria Road, reinforcing its role as the commercial spine, while stepping down towards neighbouring areas to ensure appropriate scale transitions.”&nbsp;

The design draws inspiration from the local geology and waterways, with curving tower forms and a warm, tactile material palette referencing Hawkesbury sandstone and nearby riverine landscapes.

The proposal also includes basement parking across three to four levels, accommodating 392 car spaces - 190 for retail and 202 for residents.

<img alt="Fabcot" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f1a01073-9a13-4ba7-9c14-43c84a751e26" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-06%20at%208.13.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=KSImA_iSQiIgSRMswm7.5Sg.WRZ0fZjg" />

Fabcot is aiming to deliver a “landmark building with civic presence,” leveraging the prominent corner site to anchor the precinct’s urban renewal.

“The building’s corner location and carefully sculpted form establish it as a landmark for North Gladesville,” the Urban Design Report notes.

ClarkeHopkinsClarke has previously collaborated on other Woolworths mixed-use projects, and here again deploys stepped setbacks, articulation, and extensive landscaping to manage bulk and enhance street-level engagement. A colonnaded brick base provides texture and rhythm to the podium, while upper levels curve softly to maximise views and cross-ventilation.

The development sits within the North Gladesville Precinct, an area earmarked for transformation under Ryde’s local planning strategy. It is well-served by bus connections along Victoria Road and within proximity to community infrastructure, schools, and riverside parkland.

Gladesville is set for a full transformation with developer Third.i also planning a major mixed-use development in the area. They are seeking to redevelop the Gladesville Village Shopping Centre into an&nbsp;integrated precinct with more than 500 apartments, a new supermarket, and significant public domain upgrades.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-third-i-plots-500-unit-redevelopment-of-gladesville-village-shopping-centre">First look: Third.i plots 500-unit redevelopment of Gladesville Village Shopping Centre</a>

Fabcot reveals mixed-use plans for Gladesville town centre

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> has brought to market a boutique collection of completed, two-storey terraces on Telopea Avenue in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/homebush-west-nsw-2140">Homebush West</a>, offering buyers the opportunity to move straight into brand-new homes in a connected inner-west location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/telopea-avenue-homebush-west-24-36-telopea-avenue-homebush-west-nsw-2140">Telopea Avenue</a> comprises four-bedroom terraces with internal basement parking, designed to balance functionality with contemporary interiors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150682 project_image_fid=6085]

Each residence is arranged across two levels, with layouts tailored to families seeking more space or downsizers wanting low-maintenance living without compromise. Skylights and large windows maximise natural light throughout the interiors, while private terraces and balconies extend living outdoors.

Inside, hybrid timber flooring flows through living and bedroom spaces, complemented by built-in wardrobes with polyurethane finishes and melamine shelving.&nbsp;

Kitchens feature Bianco Imperial Granite benchtops and splashbacks, paired with Smeg appliances including a five-burner gas cooktop, oven, rangehood, and integrated dishwasher.&nbsp;

Bathrooms continue the refined detailing with porcelain tiling, granite accents, gun metal tapware, and integrated LED lighting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150682 project_image_fid=6072]

Landscaped surrounds create a sense of greenery within the community, while individual home designs ensure each terrace retains its own character.

Positioned within a quiet residential pocket, the project sits only minutes from the activity centres of Strathfield, North Strathfield, Homebush, and Lidcombe, as well as the broader lifestyle and employment precinct of Sydney Olympic Park.

Residents also benefit from the project’s proximity to transport and amenity. Homebush and Flemington stations provide direct rail access to the Sydney CBD, with major road connections including Parramatta Road and the M4 close by.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150682 project_image_fid=6064]

Local shops, Sydney Markets, and Strathfield Plaza cater to daily needs, while the area is well-serviced by schools, childcare centres, and universities.&nbsp;

Nearby Sydney Olympic Park and Bicentennial Park add further lifestyle appeal, offering walking trails, sports facilities, and year-round cultural events.

The terraces are delivered by Omaya, a family-run Sydney developer and builder with more than 35 years of experience and over 1,000 dwellings in its pipeline.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150682]

Omaya delivers complete and move-in ready terraces on Telopea Avenue, Homebush West

Melbourne-based developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/las-group">LAS Group</a> has this month received planning approval for two adjoining sites, 101 Clarendon Street and 38 Clarke Street in Southbank, that will add around $700 million to the developer’s pipeline on completion.

The two sites were purchased from Crown in 2023 and occupy the same city block as the iconic Casino complex, acquired in an on-market transaction, consisting of multiple titles that were being used as warehouses and low-rise office space.

The resulting permits will see the delivery of two towers consisting of 52 and 25 levels, both to be designed by Fender Katsalidis.

LAS Group’s successful planning approvals are among only a select few new development sites in Southbank to receive a permit in the last three years, as appropriate sites become even more scarce in the popular city-side location.

The projects will enjoy immediate walking access to Crown Casino, South Wharf, the Aquarium, Southbank and the wider Yarra River walk precinct that features a plethora of restaurants, bars and other hospitality and entertainment offerings.

The Fender Katsalidis-designed towers will feature intricate brick masonry and arched windows at street level that will add character to the Southbank streetscape, with sleek towers rising above each podium.

The larger of the two towers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/101-clarendon-street-southbank-vic-3006">101 Clarendon Street</a>, will have 509 apartments across a 52-level building that wuill also include a resident&nbsp;lounge, private dining room, podcast room, golf simulator, co-working spaces, pet care facilities, and an outdoor terrace.

That is expected to complete in 2029.

<img alt="Clarendon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d8595a7-d225-4532-86a9-d3c5ca7407d4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%208.28.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=quwbfnhk5Vf6yR1Qj0GQtt0EjeIsKMci" /> 
The podium at 101 Clarendon Street. Image supplied

The smaller tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/36-42-clarke-street-southbank-vic-3006">38 Clarke Street</a> will be around half the size at 25 levels and home 188 apartments, a pool, gym, cold plunge, and sauna. That is expected to complete in 2028.

&nbsp;

LAS Group has a long history of developing key sites across Australia, including The Fawkner on St Kilda Road and Guild Apartments in Southbank, as well as holding significant interests in retail, mixed-use and storage facilities across Australia.

<img alt="38 Clarke" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d871b034-d2a4-490f-b9eb-b9d4b99a04c5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%208.28.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=J3fWfemsLPQzXekl_h0QlsXoWFnRbfRF" /> 
38 Clarke Street, Southbank. Image supplied

LAS Group director and founder Les Smith said the planning approvals had come at a time when confidence was returning to the market and the need to deliver quality apartment stock in Melbourne’s inner suburbs was becoming critical to help ease the housing and affordability crisis.

“These planning approvals are the outcome of a collaborative process with multiple stakeholders and we are grateful for the involvement and support of Melbourne Water, the Department of Transport and Planning, Melbourne City Council and Property Council of Australia along the way," Smith said.

“We have a huge affinity for Melbourne believe the macro and micro economic factors that underpin long-term growth mean it is currently undervalued compared to other capital cities around Australia.

“Confidence is starting to return given the recent interest rate drops and the buoyancy in the economic climate, so we believe the time is right to bring these two new projects to market in the coming months."

LAS Group General Manager, Mia Smith said the design intent was to bring a sense of place to Southbank from the ground level and contribute positively to the thriving entertainment precinct, while delivering good quality, affordable stock to the market.

“These projects will deliver product that is affordable and accessible, while delivering a beautiful building with luxury appointments, in a wonderful location that’s next door to Crown Casino and the Southbank entertainment precinct, and on the doorstep to the CBD," Smith said.

“We are incredibly pleased with the designs that Fender Katsalidis have proposed and we are excited to make a positive impact to the urban design of this important pocket of Southbank with these exceptional design outcomes.”

LAS Group to build 700 apartments across two towers on Crown Casino’s former Southbank sites

Tasmania

<html><body>The city of Hobart has again seen a very high rate of profit making sales with 97.2% of resales making money for their vendors in the last quester of 2020.

The rate of profit making sales increased further over the December quarter, up from 96% in the three months to September, the CoreLogic pain and gain report noted.

The lowest typical hold period associated with a profit making sales across the nation was across regional Tasmanian units, where the median hold period on a profit-making sale was just 6.7 years.

The report noted that in the 6.7 years to December 2020, regional Tasmania unit values increased around 40%, compared to an increase in unit values across the Australia-wide market of approximately 7%.

Hobart continued as the most profitable capital city across Australia in terms of the portion of resales with 97.2% of observed resales making a nominal gain in the December 2020 quarter, up from 96.7% in the three months to September.

Hobart houses saw a slightly higher rate of profit making sales (97%) than units (95.2%) in the December quarter. 

It was 97.7% in the rest of Tasmania for houses and 96.2% for rest of Tasmania units. 

"Interestingly, the rate of profit making unit sales increased 80 basis points in the quarter while the portion of unit profit making sales actually declined 80 basis points," the report noted.

Each local government area of Hobart saw a high level of profitability in the December quarter, ranging from 93.3% across Sorrell, to 98.3% across Brighton. 

Hobart has seen a renewed surge in values off the back of the cash rate reduction in November, and will likely see continued increases in profitability through the March 2021 quarter, CoreLogic forecast.

Eliza Owen, Core Logic’s Head of Research noted the lowest incidence of profit making sales across the capital cities was across Darwin, where 51.4% of properties sold for a loss.</body></html>

The city of Hobart once again saw the highest rate of profit making sales at 97%. 

jchancellor

Hobart and regional Tasmania units are selling quick and at big profits

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Known for its lush rainforests, fresh produce and enviable lifestyle, Tasmania provides an acceptable alternative to life on the mainland.

Homebuyers are flocking to the island state as greater opportunities to work remotely arise and home prices remain relatively low.

According to CommSec’s State of the States report, Tasmania holds the mantle for the best-performing economy for the fourth quarter in a row, ranked first on relative population growth, equipment investment and dwelling starts.

Urban takes a look at three brand-new apartments in Greater Hobart. 
 

1. Kings Quarter, Kingston 
Address: Pardalote Parade, Kingston TAS 7050

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29367]

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-16_at_4.45.22_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Traders in Purple"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-16_at_4.45.22_pm.png?itok=any40ZYl" title="Image: Traders in Purple" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Traders in Purple</figcaption></figure>Offering a masterplanned community, developer Traders in Purple will offer a revitalisation at the Kingsborough area at their diverse mixed-use development.  

Birches Row, the first stage of the project, will offer 80 new, free-standing homes and townhouses, as well as retail, dining and office space centred around the Kingsborough Council’s multimillion-dollar public park.

The three and four-bedroom residences offer rich neighbourhood life, and feature alfresco living, multi-purpose space and landscaped courtyards. 
 

2. The Elliott, Hobart 
Address: 62 Patrick Street, Hobart TAS 7000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89729]

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-16_at_4.45.37_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: EIS Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="352" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-16_at_4.45.37_pm.png?itok=0j7kzBxx" title="Image: EIS Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: EIS Property</figcaption></figure>Conveniently located on the doorstep to Hobart’s CBD, the Elliott presents an exclusive collection of 68 luxury homes in one, two, three and four-bedroom configurations.

The residence, designed by HBV Architects, provides expansive interior spaces, outdoor terraces and views of the city, kunanyi / Mount Wellington and beyond.

The Elliott provides convenience with the Salamanca markets, the Hobart waterfront and the CBD within walking distance from the home. 
 

3. Ingomar Residences, Hobart 
Address: 34 Patrick Street, Hobart TAS 7000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94367]

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-16_at_4.46.23_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: La Vie Collective"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="375" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-03-16_at_4.46.23_pm.png?itok=c_46t2Gw" title="Image: La Vie Collective" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: La Vie Collective</figcaption></figure>Developed by the boutique Tasmanian property developers La Vie Collective, Hobart’s latest development provides homebuyers the chance to reside in one of 26 tailored residences in North Hobart.

Designed by S Group, the project boasts the luxe conversion of a historic 1897 mansion into eight residences, with an additional 18 apartments situated on the home’s former grounds.

The home features state-of-the-art technology, luxurious finishes, and heritage details, as well as views toward the city and the Hobart waterfront.
</body></html>

Homebuyers are flocking to the island state as greater opportunities to work remotely arise and home prices remain relatively low

max.kwok_55688

Home to Australia’s best performing economy: 3 brand-new apartments in Tasmania

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Most people don’t let the facts get in the way of an entrenched attitude.
For six months or more, I’ve been getting blank stares or responses like “Seriously?” whenever I suggest to investors they should be considering Hobart and Tasmania.
It’s really easy to get a bad reputation and extremely hard to lose it. Tasmania has the image of a basket base economy. A state that’s losing population. A property market bereft of growth.
For many years, all of that has been true. It’s true no longer.
But most people won’t be convinced until they read there’s a boom on. And by then it will be too late to buy well.
Perhaps it is already. According to the latest House Price Report from Domain, Hobart median prices rose 8.7% for houses and 7.1% for apartments in 2015. The apartment result is the second best among the capital cities, after Sydney.
Other research sources have smaller growth numbers for Hobart but there’s no doubt that this market is moving. Throughout 2015, sales activity rose. Each quarter of the year recorded more sales than the same period the year before. Inevitably that translates into price growth.
Why is this happening? Because the Tasmanian economy is mounting a strong recovery. I’ve been recording this over the past six months or so, as an increasing number of surveys and reports by major organisations like ANZ Bank, NAB and others have recorded increasingly positive outlooks for the state economy.
Here are a few of them:
<ul>
<li>The NAB business survey for August 2015 showed business confidence in Tasmania at plus 12 — three times higher than the next best states, NSW and Queensland. Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Bailey said at the time this was further proof that Tasmania’s economy was looking up. “There’s a feeling Tasmania is a very exciting place to be right now,” he said.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>MyState’s quarterly report showed a rebound in economic indicators for Tasmania. MyState’s David Harradine said Tasmania was no longer the softest state economy on several indicators. “The lower Australian dollar, plus low interest rates, are providing an important tailwind,” he says. “This will continue to present opportunities for improvements ... The lower dollar is positive for the tourism, agriculture and manufacturing sectors which together represent a significant portion of overall activity and jobs.”</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A Sensis survey found that Tasmania leads the nation in business confidence and its State Government is the most popular among small businesses. “Businesses see the Government as supportive and interested in small business and believe it is working to reduce bureaucracy,” Sensis CEO John Allan said. The Sensis Business Index showed business confidence has tripled in the state, rising 46 points to +64 and is now 25 points above the national average. Hobart was the most confident capital city, followed by Sydney and Brisbane, while confidence in regional Tasmania was up 52 points to +60, which ws the highest regional score in the nation.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook report described the Tasmanian economy as “well and truly on the rise”.</li>
<li>Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Bailey said the effect of Australia’s post-mining boom slump on interest and exchange rates was breathing life into Tasmania’s tourism, manufacturing, forestry, building and overseas student industries. “We are seeing phenomenal opportunities, particularly for Tasmania’s agricultural and aquaculture industries,” he said.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>State Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the State Government was working to grow the economy with its $315 million jobs package and $1.8 billion infrastructure program.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The quarterly ANZ/Property Council survey said Tasmania is about to experience a surge in foreign investment. It forecast that foreign investors would be responsible for 14% of residential purchases in Tasmania in the March 2016 Quarter, compared to 4% or below throughout the quarters of 2015. 
</li>
</ul>
The situation in Tasmania right now feels a little bit like 2003. Back then, after prices had surged in mainland cities like Melbourne, investors looked across Bass Strait, noticed how cheap everything was and generated a price boom.
Hobart currently has a median dwelling price around $330,000, compared to $600,000 in Melbourne and $775,000 in Sydney.
Cheap real estate, a market with rising momentum, underpinned by a strongly moving economy - it’s a package worth considering.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Tasmanian property market worth considering: Terry Ryder

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Most property-watchers are aware of the Tasmanian property boom, with attention focused on Hobart as the national leader for capital city price growth, for suburbs with the shortest time-on-market and for the nation’s lowest vacancy rates.
But there’s more to the Tassie story than Hobart. The second city Launceston is also thriving.
Launceston has seen good price growth in the last 12 months, with double-digit increases in the median house prices of several suburbs. This market also features vacancies below 2% and strong rental yields above 5.5%. 
And the future looks strong, starting with the underlying economy – always pivotal in the fortunes of property markets.
The Launceston City Deal, financially supported by all three levels of Government, has secured Launceston’s future as a “University Town”. 
Under the plan, Launceston will be the recipient of serious spending on infrastructure for industries such as education, construction, the Defence Force, transport and forestry. Launceston General Hospital is being upgraded, new industrial estates are emerging and new housing estates are opening up. 
In the 2016 Census, the population of Launceston was 81,000. Other reports suggest around 100,000 live in and around Launceston. 
It is one of Australia’s oldest cities and is home to many historic buildings, including the General Post Office. It’s the commercial hub for northern Tasmania’s agricultural and pastoral activities which, in recent years, have evolved from the growing of apples to viticulture. 
Wool is also an important industry while $130 million has been spent on the Meander Dam and irrigation infrastructure to support the agricultural sector. 
Launceston has a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, minerals and resources, commercial shipping, tourism and educational facilities. 
Human pharmaceuticals manufacturing earns the region about $130 million each year. Tasmanian Alkaloids, located near Westbury, is the largest exporter of opiates from which codeine and morphine are derived. The company employs 200 local people. 
Premium beer drinkers will be familiar with the name James Boag. The Brewery employs around 150 and produces 76,000,000 litres of beer annually. 
Manufacturing makes the largest contribution to the local economy, earning over $1 billion per year. George Town Seafoods announced in April 2016 that it will double production at its processing facility. The business employs 70 people in peak production periods. 
The Bell Bay Aluminium smelter, about 45km from Launceston, is one of the state’s biggest employers claiming 1,500 direct and indirect jobs. 
Tourism employs 2,500 and is worth $340 million a year to the local economy. Around 1.29 million passengers used Launceston airport in 2015, and following a redevelopment completed in mid- 2016, the airport expects to cater for two million passengers each year by 2030. 
Numerous wineries operate along the Tamar Valley which produces about 40% of Tasmania’s premium wines. Another main attraction is Cataract Gorge, home to the longest single span chairlift in the world while Launceston is often called the ‘Garden City’ because of its many parklands. 
Launceston Airport offers regular flights to Melbourne (where travellers can connect with international flights), Sydney and Brisbane. 
Launceston is now one of the leading property markets in regional Australia, attracting mainland investors. The city features prominently in The Price Predictor Index published by hotspotting.com.au, as it has several suburbs with growing sales activity, while the nearby West Tamar LGA also has growth markets. 
Affordable Invermay (median house price $248,000) typifies the growth in this region, the number of annual sales leaping from 64 in 2017 to 99 early in 2018. 
The increased sales activity has delivered a median price rise of 8% in the last 12 months. 
On the other side of the North Esk River, the inner- city of Launceston has seen the median house price grow 23%, resulting in a median price of $449,000. 
The median house price in Newstead, another inner- city suburb with 121 annual sales, has risen 13% to $365,000, while Norwood is up 13% to $348,000. Further out, the median house price in Hadspen is $315,000 following a 14% rise in 12 months. 
Interstate buyers have become common, attracted by the state’s affordability, combined with positive developments in the city. 
Agents have reported that about 30% of buyers in Launceston hail from Sydney - and many intend to move to Launceston rather than buying for investment purposes. 
 
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
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More to Tasmania than Hobart as Launceston also thrives: Terry Ryder

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Tasmania is a fine example of the adage that it’s easy to get a bad reputation but very hard to lose it. 
The days of Tasmania being the basket case economy of Australia are gone, as are the days when investors steered clear of Hobart as a place offering no growth.
I’ve been advocating the merits of investing in Hobart for the past 18 months or so, based on the marked improvement in the state economy and the status of Hobart as the capital city with the lowest prices, tightest vacancies and highest rental yields.
Hotspotting’s regular research into sales activity has noted the rise in sales volumes in Hobart (and also in Launceston and Devonport) this year.
I’ve felt a bit like a voice in the wilderness, given that Hobart and Tasmania is a pretty hard sell. It’s very hard to shift entrenched attitudes, particularly as your average punter isn’t terribly well informed.
So how refreshing to see the latest research-based report from Simon Pressley of Propertyology. 
He says: “Hobart is Propertyology’s tip to be Australia’s best-performed capital city property market in 2017."
“An under-rated economy, limited properties for sale, the tightest vacancy rates in Australia, a more controlled housing supply pipeline than mainland cities, and increased buyer activity are expected to drive property prices and rents higher.
“We have been actively investing in Hobart for a while and our buyer’s agents have observed first-hand price growth of 8 to 10 per cent over the past 12 months. We can only see buyer activity further intensifying and forcing stronger growth over the next couple of years.”
And Pressley makes this forecast for next year: “On an all-things-being-equal basis, double-digit price growth is well and truly on the cards for Hobart in 2017.”
He says the significant retraction in properties listed for sale has made it increasingly difficult for our buyer’s agents to find suitable properties for investors. “Properties are generally selling within a week of listing and often going for prices well above our own appraisal range. The market is red hot.”
All this is happening on the back of improving economic performance. There is now a long list of reports from name brands which have noted the improvement in the underlying fundamentals.
The latest to confirm that view is CommSec’s State of the States report, which notes Tasmania’s population growth is the fastest in five years and the state no longer ranks last overall. 
“Tasmania has improved from 8th to 7th on the rankings,” it says. “Tasmania is 4th ranked on two indicators and 5th on three indicators. Annual growth on home lending is the strongest in the nation at 10.3%. Both home loans and home prices are lifting.”
State Treasurer Peter Gutwein says the report card is the best in five years. “But there is still a long way to go,” he says. He’s right, but a significant turnaround has been achieved already.
Another positive indicator for Tasmania is the level of infrastructure and construction work. The Deloitte Access Economics Investment Monitor report says: “The value of Tasmanian engineering projects under way has stayed well above $1 billion and there’s just under $1 billion worth of planned projects in the pipeline.”
The biggest under way is the $535 million Midland Hwy update. Work worth $239 million is ongoing on the freight rail revitalisation statewide and there is a $40 million extension of the Hobart Airport runway. The report says commercial building is also “coming along well,” with $1.5 billion worth of projects under way and a similar pipeline of planned work.
“The $689 million Royal Hobart Hospital project is still the largest project,” it says. “Planned work has been boosted, with University of Tasmania plans to move its science-technology-engineering building to Hobart’s CBD, at a cost of $400 million.”
The value of projects under way is up 27 percent to $2.9 billion. Adding planned projects, the total is $4.98 billion.
Tourism is big for Tasmania, with strong results for 2015-16. For the first time Tasmania had over one million interstate visitors, who spent $2 billion. Airline capacity rose by 173,658 new seats between the state’s two main airports and Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. TT-Line ran 33 extra day sailings over peak season, with visitors arriving on Spirit of Tasmania growing 17 percent.
In the 2015-16 summer, there were 59 cruise ship port calls in Tasmania — delivering 163,328 passengers and crew. Big growth in cruise ship visits is forecast for the next two seasons. The tourism industry supports 36,700 jobs or 15.3 percent of total jobs, and contributes $2.55 billion to the economy (10 percent of gross state product).
All of that provides a solid foundation on which real estate can continue to grow in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
 
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Solid foundations for real estate growth in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Hobart and Tasmania are national leaders on price growth – although analysis of the latest sales activity data suggests the market has passed its peak after two years of strong growth.
In terms of annual price growth, Tasmania remains the undisputed champion of Australia. Nine out of ten locations across the state have increased their median prices in the past year – and many of them have recorded double-digit growth.
Hotspotting has analysed house price data for 76 suburbs and towns in Tasmania: 69 of them (91%) have recorded growth in their median house prices in the past year. Of the 69 house markets with price growth, 56 have increased by more than 5%, including 35 which have risen 10% or more.
Only 9% of Tasmanian house markets have experienced decreases in median prices – and only one location has dropped by more than 5%.
In the Hobart metropolitan area, the suburbs of Austins Ferry, Chigwell, Gagebrok and Risdon Vale have all increased between 20% and 25% in the past 12 months.
In Launceston, price uplift has been led by East Launceston (17%), Newnham (12%), South Launceston (16%), Summerhill (12%) and West Launceston (12%). 
In other parts of regional Tasmania, Scottsdale and Upper Burnie have both recorded 15% rises in their median house prices.
There are also examples of exceptional growth in unit markets, where 81% of locations have rising prices.
Growth markets for apartments in Hobart include Bellerive (16%), Claremont (19%), Glenorchy (16%), New Town (18%) and West Moonah (20%) – but the highly-rated suburb of Lindisfarne is the standout, with its median apartment price rising 32% to $445,000, based on 45 sales in the past 12 months.
In Launceston, there have been 25-26% rises in median unit prices in Newnham and Prospect Vale.
Strong though those results are, they are a little less spectacular than our findings three months ago. In that previous report we said: “In Hobart, we can find no suburbs with falling prices and none with minor growth. All have increased by more than 5% in the past 12 months – and 80% of them are up at least 10%. A key feature is most have recorded rises in the latest quarter, which indicates prices are still growing.”
So the current data represents a strong result, indeed the strongest anywhere in Australia, but not as strong as three months ago. This confirms our overall conclusion that markets in Hobart and Tasmania have passed the peak in their cycles and are gradually winding down.
The strongest evidence of this comes from our analysis of quarterly sales activity. We have classified 16 locations as rising markets, the lowest number in any quarter since late in 2016. 
The rise of markets in Hobart, Launceston and other parts of Tasmania began with a steady uplift in sales activity early in 2017 and we have seen strong sales activity since then, leading to nation-leading price growth.
But now sales volumes are subsiding and the number of plateau markets across the state is the highest since we began our quarterly surveys five years ago. Indeed, the number of plateau markets in Tasmania, quarter-by-quarter in the past two years, has been 17, 30, 39, 39, 40, 43, 46 and 54 – a clear pattern showing the increase in the number of locations where sales activity has passed its peak.
There are still suburbs with growth markets (measured by sales volumes) in both Hobart and Launceston. In the Hobart metropolitan area, suburbs that still have growth momentum include Berriedale, Bridgewater, Rokeby, Sorell, Old Beach, Margate and Howrah.
In Launceston, the suburbs that still have forward momentum include Mowbray, Prospect and Newnham.
Elsewhere in the state, growth markets include Cygnet in the Huon Valley south of Hobart, George Town in the north of the state near Launceston, Longford in the Northern Midlands, and Smithton in the Circular Head LGA in the far north-west.
While all the recent evidence suggests Hobart and Tasmania are gradually winding down from the peak of the cycle, the key question is whether recent positive events at a national level (election result, APRA changes, lower interest rates, tax cuts, etc) will re-ignite the state’s mini-boom.
We’ll know more three months from now.
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
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Tasmania passes property market peak after two years of growth: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The mini-boom in Hobart and Tasmania is well past its peak in terms of buyer demand, but the state remains the nation’s top performer on price growth in the past year. 
The quarter-by-quarter analysis of sales activity conducted by Hotspotting shows there are few growth markets remaining in Tasmania and we are now seeing the emergence of declining markets for the first time.
Our past three quarterly surveys of sales activity have found that the number of locations with growth momentum has fallen from 23 to 16 to 9. 
The peak of the up-cycle in Tasmania, measured by sales activity, was late in 2017 and there has been a gradual wind-down in activity since then.
But now Tasmania has as many locations classified as declining markets (9) as there are rising markets.
Prices remain buoyant however, although a little less so than three months ago. Our location-by-location analysis of prices shows that 86% of Tasmanian locations have median prices higher than a year ago.
This is down from 91% three months ago, but remains easily the best outcome in the nation. Most of the locations with rising prices have recorded annual growth above 5% and indeed most have had double-digit increases. 
There are only 12 locations across the state of Tasmania with median prices lower than a year ago.
Launceston is the state’s strongest market: it still has three suburbs classified as rising markets – Mowbray, Newnham and South Launceston. Quarterly sales in Mowbray have been 21-23-29-34 and its median price is up 7% to $260,000.
There are 13 suburbs with steady sales performance (suburbs notable for their consistent sales performance include Youngtown, Riverside and Newstead) and none classified as declining markets. 
Suburbs with good annual growth in their median house prices include Newnham (8%), Newstead (11%), Ravenswood (13%) and several others which are up 6-7%.
In the suburb of Launceston, the median apartment price has risen 24% to $400,000 in the past year.
There are still some rising suburbs throughout the Hobert metro area – including Howrah, Margate, Rokeby and Sorell.
Howrah features in our National Top 50 list of Supercharged Suburbs in the Spring edition of The Price Predictor Index, with quarterly sales of 41-46-50-52-58. Its median house price is up 8% to $535,000 and its median apartment price has risen 12% to $415,000 in the past 12 months.
Generally, the Hobart metro area remains steady and suburbs like Moonah and West Hobart make our National Top 50 list of Consistent Suburbs in The Price Predictor Index.
Most locations have median prices well up on the levels of 12 months earlier. Locations with strong annual price growth include Austins Ferry (17%), Lauderdale (21%), Oakdowns (22%), Risdon Vale (18%) and Warrane (15%).
But the Hobart area now has locations classified as declining markets, including Chigwell, Gagebrook and Midway Point.
There are struggling markets elsewhere in the state, notably the West Coast where Queenstown, Zeehan and Rosebery remain classified as declining or danger markets. There’s also mounting evidence of decline in the Burnie market.
At the other end of the scale, regional towns with big price rises include Huonville (15%), Perth (14%), Smithton (23%), East Devonport (16%), Longford (12%) and George Town (12%).
In the Dorset LGA, both Scottsdale (17%) and Bridport (15%) have had strong growth in their median prices. 
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
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Tasmania real estate past its peak, but still Australia's top performer: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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The expiry of Tasmania's first home buyer incentives for purchasers of established dwellings in 2014 saw first home buyer demand decline, according to QBE’s latest housing report.
First home buyer demand in the state has since bottomed out and is now in a recovery phase, the report said.
Loans to first home buyers increased by an annual 6% in 2015/16 and the rising trend has been accelerating, with loans to first home buyers in June quarter 2016 being 24% higher than the same period a year earlier.
It is likely that some of this demand stems from increased interstate migration. In contrast, purchase activity by upgraders and downsizers has been easing, with loans to non–first home buyers having fallen by 4% in 2015/16.
Demand from investors has also been decreasing, with the total value of loans to investors having fallen by an annual 13% in 2015/16. As with the other states, tightened lending policy by the banks is containing investor demand, although the decline in 2015/16 has been lower than the national decline.
Rental growth has been largely flat and vacancy rates are close to balance at just under 3% through 2015/16.
House prices in Hobart were flat in 2014/15, but picked up in 2015/16, with the median house price increasing by 5.2%. Tasmania’s net interstate migration outflow has been steadily declining since peaking in 2011/12, and interstate migration is on track to record a net inflow in 2015/16.
Part of the driver of this recovery is likely to be increased “tree changers” downsizing from the more expensive mainland capitals, while there are also likely to be many returnees from the mining states who contributed to the higher net interstate migration outflows of recent years.
House price growth has been unevenly spread across the Local Government Areas of Hobart. Median house price growth has been particularly strong in Hobart (10.1%), Clarence (8.4%) and Kingborough (6.9%). Glenorchy (1.1%) and Brighton (2.8%) saw more moderate house price growth while Sorell (–3.3%) experienced a decline in its median house price. The overall Greater Hobart median grew 5.2% over 2015/16.
<a href="/images/2016/10/14/Table%2012.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<a href="/images/2016/10/14/Table%2012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2016/10/14/Table%2012.jpg" alt=""></a>
The Tasmanian economy has been weak in recent years. A high Australian dollar and slow population growth have added to general economic weakness. However, improved household spending, non–residential building activity and improving exports suggest a stronger economic recovery.
The weakening Australian dollar should support growth in tourism while the agricultural and mining industries should also benefit. The state unemployment rate fell from 7.8% at March 2014 to 6.6% at March 2016. Greater Hobart has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the state, having fallen from 6.7% to 6.1% over the same period.
Greater Hobart has also been the main destination for migrants from overseas, interstate and the rest of Tasmania, with its population rising by 0.8% in 2014/15 while the population of the rest of Tasmania was flat.
On the supply side, completions at the state level have continued to rise while underlying demand has been slow. This has seen Tasmania’s dwelling surplus climb from 4,800 dwellings to an estimated 5,300 dwellings at June 2016. Given the disparity between population growth, it is likely that the oversupply is greater in regional Tasmania.
Reflecting lower income levels and fewer drivers of employment, Hobart has the lowest median house price compared to the other state capitals. Its relative affordability compared to other capital cities is a significant driver of demand as interstate migrants seek a more affordable market.
The current low interest rate environment is expected to improve affordability and spur purchaser demand, the QBE report said. Poor affordability in Melbourne and Sydney is expected to fuel further migration to Tasmanian cities, a trend already evident with the net interstate inflow forecast to increase further to 1,000 persons in 2016/17 and 2017/18.
Click to open chart in new window
<img src="/images/2016/10/14/Chart%2030.jpg" alt="">
Overall, the gradual recovery in the local economy and interstate migration is expected to underpin price growth, while the presence of an excess dwelling stock at the state level will likely limit price growth to more moderate levels. Hobart’s median house price is forecast to rise from $377,900 at June 2016 to $425,000 by June 2019, reflecting growth of around 4% per annum or a cumulative 12.5%.
With a significantly smaller unit market, and thus a smaller sample of sales volumes to measure the median, movement in the median unit price in Hobart can be much more volatile from quarter to quarter. Overall, however, median unit prices have been in a gradual decline since its peak median price of $420,000 in June 2011.
With falling investor demand, the unit market could experience the greatest impact as investor purchasers have traditionally been more prevalent buying units.
This softness is expected to continue to dampen demand, limiting median unit price growth to a forecast 1%–2% per annum through to 2018/19. This is forecast by QBE to push the median unit price to $315,000 at June 2019; a cumulative growth of 4.5% over the forecast period.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Hobart first home buyers in recovery stage: QBE Housing Outlook

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Much has been written on Hobart’s market, now one of the strongest among the capital cities - but there’s more to the Tasmanian real estate up-cycle than the capital city.
Launceston also has a strong market and is now one of the leading markets in regional Australia.
Several Launceston suburbs have recorded double-digit median price growth in the past 12 months.
Launceston (the suburb within the city of the same name) recorded 16% growth in its median house price, Newstead rose 17%, Mayfield 11%, Mowbray 9% and Prospect Vale 8%.
There were some spectacular growth numbers in the city’s unit market as well, but median price data for units can be distorted and misleading. The median unit price for East Launceston is up 28%, but it’s unlikely values have risen to that degree.
The figures suggest the stock shortage seen in Hobart is also evident in Launceston. In January there were 1,900 listings for the Launceston area on realestate.com.au, but a recent check shows just 1,350 homes for sale.
Launceston prices have risen on the back of increases in sales activity, as revealed by the Spring survey for The Price Predictor Index by Hotspotting.
Launceston has eight suburbs with growth markets, while the nearby West Tamar LGA has three.
Affordable Invermay (median house price $230,000) is an example of the rising activity in this region. Its sales levels have grown from 19 to 22 to 24 to 29 to 34 to 37 in the past six quarters.
Launceston is a substantial regional city with a population around 80,000 and one with many historical features.
It’s the commercial hub for northern Tasmania’s agricultural and pastoral activities which, in recent years, have evolved from the growing of apples to viticulture.
Wool is also an important industry while $130 million has been spent on the Meander Dam and irrigation infrastructure to support the agricultural sector, according to the Meander Valley Council.
But agriculture and history are not the only parts of Launceston’s character - it has a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, minerals and resources, commercial shipping, tourism and educational facilities.
Pharmaceuticals manufacturing earns the region about $130 million each year. Tasmanian Alkaloids, located near Westbury, is the largest exporter of thebaine and oripavine (both opiates from which codeine and morphine are derived) used in the world.
The company employs 200 local people including scientists and engineers, while about 500 Tasmanian farmers are contracted to produce 50% of the world’s licit opiate supply.
With the signing in April of the Launceston City Deal by the Federal Government, State Government and City of Launceston, the city’s future prospects have strengthened.
The five-year plan will ensure investment in serious infrastructure, the headline act being the $260 million redevelopment and relocation of University of Tasmania’s main Launceston campus to Inveresk.
The new campus is projected to increase economic output in the local community by $360 million a year over 10 years, with an estimated direct and indirect economic impact of $965 million during the construction phase.
It is projected to create 2,760 jobs, including 430 jobs during construction. It will provide the capacity to grow student participation by 10,000 students by 2030, including 1,500 international students, and will eventually house 16,000 students, researchers and staff.
Against that backdrop, interest in Launceston real estate from interstate investors is rising – and with it, house prices.
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>
 
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More to the Tasmanian real estate up-cycle than Hobart

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The property markets of Hobart and Tasmania lead the nation. Homes sell faster here than anywhere else in Australia and there are locations with double-digit annual price growth throughout the state. 
The key drivers are a strong state economy and affordable prices. Research from realestate.com.au indicates that buyers out of Melbourne are providing a lot of impetus to Tasmanian markets.
The number of growth locations (those where demand, as measured by sales volumes, is rising), is lower than the peak but remains strong and steady.
The outstanding feature of Tasmania’s markets is the strength of prices. Virtually every location of substance across the state has recorded annual price growth above 5% in the past year, and most have delivered better than 10%. It’s almost impossible to find a market where the median price has dropped – and in this regard Tasmania is probably unique in Australia. 
In conducting our quarterly location-by-location research on demand levels across Australia, Hotspotting also examines patterns with prices. We record suburbs and towns where the median price has increased more than 5% in the past year, those which have grown between 1% and 5%, and those where prices have declined more than 5%. (We disregard locations with fewer than 30 annual sales, because the sales sample is too small to provide accurate and meaningful price trends.)
In Hobart, we can find no suburbs with falling prices and none with minor growth. All have increased by more than 5% in the past 12 months – and 80% of them are up at least 10%. A key feature is most have recorded rises in the latest quarter, which indicates prices are still growing.
The standout markets have grown more than 20%, including the house markets in Bellerive (21%), Carlton (22%), Gagebrook (22%), Howrah (23%), Moonah (20%), Risdon Vale (26%) and Warrane (21%)
The Bellerive and West Moonah unit markets are both up 29%.
But the leading markets on price growth are Clarendon Vale houses and Lindisfarne units, both up 32%.
A standout precinct in the Hobart metro area is the Clarence LGA, where Bellerive, Clarendon Vale, Geilston Bay, Howrah, Lauderdale, Lindisfarne, Oakdowns, Risdon Vale, Rokeby and Warrane have all recorded double-digit growth in their median prices.
Our Autumn survey for The Price Predictor Index, like the previous Summer survey, provides further evidence that the Hobart market is beyond its peak in terms of sales demand. In early 2018 we saw the first hint of a moderation in sales activity in Hobart and this was confirmed by later reports. But the drop in demand has been gradual, there are still growth markets, and prices continue to rise.
The Clarence, Glenorchy, Kingborough and Sorell LGAs all have growth suburbs, but they are outnumbered by plateau markets (those where sales demand has settled on solid levels but below the peak). 
The suburb of Rokeby in the Clarence LGA has recorded quarterly sales of 17, 22, 22, 26 and 29 – and its median price has risen 12% to $285,000 in the past 12 months. 
The Brighton LGA on the northern fringe of Hobart is a growth market, both in terms of rising demand and rising prices. In the suburb of Bridgewater, quarterly sales have been 14, 15, 22, 18, 26, 34 and 31 – and the median house price has increased 15% to $235,000 in the past year.
It’s clear from these figures that the locations with the strongest growth dynamics are mainly the ones that offer affordability.
Regional Tasmania is further back in the cycle than Hobart and continues to show strong activity and rising prices. 
Launceston and neighbouring LGAs like West Tamar and Meander Valley have multiple suburbs with rising demand, including Kings Meadows, Norwood, Prospect, South Launceston, Waverley, Hadspen and Riverside. 
This precinct is also delivering rising prices. Suburbs with double-digit annual growth in house prices include Hadspen, Invermay, Kings Meadow, Mowbray, Newnham, Prospect, Ravenswood, South Launceston, Summerhill, Waverley and West Launceston. Two unit markets with notable growth include Newnham (up 27% to $220,000) and Riverside (up 27% to $325,000).
Many of these suburbs have median house prices below $300,000 and others are in the mid low-$300,000s, continuing the state-wide theme of growth in affordable markets. 
But the Tasmanian location with the strongest growth is the town of Richmond, about 25km north-east of Hobart. Its median house price is up 44% to $630,000, but based on a smallish sample of 34 sales in the past year.
Another town just outside Hobart which is doing well is New Norfolk. Sales demand is rising here and median prices are up 18% to $245,000 for houses and 12% to $225,000 for units. 
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
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