Brisbane development veteran Kevin Seymour's Seymour Group is set to deepen its presence on one of Brisbane's most tightly held riverfront addresses, lodging revised plans for a luxury apartment development on Oxlade, just a few doors down from The Oxlade, which it completed in 2024.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/70-72-oxlade-drive-new-farm-qld-4005">new project at 70-72 Oxlade Drive</a>, directly north of The Oxlade, will have 27 apartments across a seven-storey building&nbsp;overlooking the Brisbane River and Merthyr Park. It's a revision from a 2021-approved design.

Designed by bureau^proberts, the project has evolved from the previously approved 26-apartment scheme, introducing an additional penthouse level while maintaining a low-density, boutique character. The development will comprise 26 three-bedroom apartments and a single four-bedroom penthouse, supported by two basement levels with 86 car spaces and 34 bicycle spaces.

The architectural response is centred around two distinct building forms separated by a landscaped open-air atrium.&nbsp;"This dual composition captures and embraces Brisbane’s subtropical environment whilst breaking down built form and scale," the submission to the Brisbane City Council noted.

<img alt="First look: Seymour Group returns to Oxlade Drive with revised riverfront apartment plans in New Farm" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c12d84d0-bc11-4067-b46f-5bd2d786a34d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/new%20farm%20landscape.png?VersionId=YEPc2k5CAdh6aAPlu4uVpgZadh4MEfRd" />

A defining feature of the design is a deep landscaped void running through the centre of the building, creating what bureau^proberts describes as a "natural ravine" that enhances airflow, daylight penetration and resident amenity. The design report notes that the separation of the two building volumes is intended to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and outlook while strengthening connections to the surrounding riverfront setting.

Curved balcony edges, integrated planting and extensive landscaping throughout the façade reinforce the subtropical design approach. The building's façade is softened by elevated gardens and planter beds, creating a green edge that complements the established landscape character of Oxlade Drive and neighbouring Merthyr Park.

New Farm has become one of Brisbane's most sought-after suburbs for developers delivering premium downsizer-focused apartments.

GRAYA has been particularly active in the precinct, completing both Chalk and York in recent years, while construction of Moray House, being delivered for Spyre, is now nearing completion. Architect-turned-developer Joe Adsett recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/arcilla-new-farm-by-joe-adsett-28-maxwell-street-new-farm-qld-4005">Arcilla on Maxwell Street</a>, an exclusive collection of just nine apartments.

Joel Robinson

First look: Seymour Group returns to New Farm's Oxlade Drive with riverfront apartment plans

A new residential tower will be the first piece of a broader mixed-use precinct set to reshape a prominent Newcastle West site, with local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> bringing its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cambridge-quarter-newcastle-west-12-denison-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Cambridge Quarter</a> vision to market.

The first release, Tempo, will introduce 87 apartments across a 24-storey tower, marking Stage 1 of the residential component of a larger urban regeneration project planned for the western end of Newcastle's city centre, encompassing the former Cambridge Hotel site.

Positioned on Denison Street, Tempo has been designed as the inaugural building within Cambridge Quarter, a precinct that will ultimately combine apartments, retail activation and revitalised public spaces including the revamping of the Cambridge Hotel.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368856]

The tower will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including layouts with multipurpose rooms, catering to a broad cross-section of owner-occupiers. Apartment sizes range from around 60 sqm to 192 sqm, with a number of residences oriented to capture views across Newcastle Harbour, the city skyline and coastline.

GWH has emphasised liveability in the design, with open-plan layouts extending to generous balconies and terraces. Residents will have a choice of two interior palettes, while specifications include engineered stone benchtops, SMEG appliances, full-height bathroom tiling and secure building access. Premium upgrade packages will also be available

Multiple rooftop resident retreats will provide communal outdoor space overlooking the harbour and city, offering an elevated amenity layer above the activity of the precinct below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368851]

The broader Cambridge Quarter vision extends beyond the residential tower itself. Ground-level retail activation and landscaped public areas are planned throughout the precinct, creating a walkable neighbourhood environment connected to the surrounding renewal of Newcastle West. The Cambridge Hotel is also earmarked for future redevelopment into a family-friendly hospitality venue integrated with the new precinct.

The project is strategically positioned within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange, providing access to light rail, regional rail services and direct connections to Sydney. Residents will also be close to Honeysuckle, Newcastle Harbour and the city's beaches and coastal walkways.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368852]

For GWH, Cambridge Quarter represents one of its most significant Newcastle developments to date. The locally based developer, which has operated in the Hunter region since 1995, describes the project as a new chapter in the ongoing transformation of Newcastle West.

GWH Executive Director Jonathan Craig said the project had been shaped by a focus on creating lasting community connections.

"We take pride in creating places that last. Spaces where people feel connected, comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging," Craig said.

"Cambridge Quarter is something we are truly proud of, a place shaped by local knowledge, built with care and designed to be part of Newcastle's next chapter."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135876]

GWH unveils first release at landmark Cambridge Quarter precinct in Newcastle West

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a>,&nbsp;Rainbow Bay's busiest developer,&nbsp;has officially lodged plans for the largest development in its booming local portfolio, seeking approval for a further 88 apartments on Boundary Street.

The proposal&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">209–213 Boundary Street, Coolangatta</a>,&nbsp;marks the next chapter in the developer's transformation of the southern Gold Coast beachside precinct. It will be its fifth in the area, having already delivered Flow, Awaken and Esprit, while construction continues on the 38-apartment Radia. The new project would rise 57 metres above a consolidated 1,518 sqm site, on the same street as Radia and Esprit.

&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, the proposed development comprises 88 two and three-bedroom apartments across a contemporary podium-and-tower form that integrates extensive landscaping from street level through to the rooftop.

The tower would be delivered above a basement and multi-level podium accommodating resident and visitor parking, with the residential component commencing from level three. The design incorporates cascading planting throughout the façade, landscaped podium edges, and deep planting zones along the Boundary Street frontage.

<img alt="First look: S&amp;S Projects lodges plans for 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="677e6615-b5c0-4b6c-b4f9-efb14fcde1a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ss%20da%20pers.png?VersionId=YOnPKQm7IFXv0M5H326djEpxk80500Hi" />

A key feature of the development is its expansive rooftop wellness and recreation precinct. Plans reveal a resort-style pool deck, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, rooftop terraces, barbecue areas and landscaped relaxation spaces positioned to capture views across the southern Gold Coast coastline.

The rooftop wellness focus builds on the vision S&amp;S Projects first outlined when it acquired the site for $20.25 million last year.

"We are taking every advantage to create a truly unique rooftop wellness experience with a natural feel for residents, offering stone features throughout and an underlying theme that emulates a botanical garden," S&amp;S Projects founder and director Paul Gedoun said at the time.

The proposal seeks a 57-metre building height, representing a 50 per cent uplift on the site's mapped 38-metre height limit. Planning documents argue the additional height is consistent with recently approved and emerging towers in the immediate Boundary Street and Rainbow Bay precinct.

Urbis, acting as planning consultant, said the development would provide "88 dwellings, comprising a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, contributing to housing choice and supply within an established medium to high-rise coastal urban neighbourhood."

The scheme has undergone extensive pre-lodgement consultation with the City of Gold Coast, with the design refined following feedback relating to architectural expression, landscaping, traffic access and podium treatment.

<img alt="S&amp;S" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a2d70fd-62ac-4b83-97c6-b798fc1243dd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%209.16.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yHmghUwKM3IVGpBktQU1mE.0Lpf3WimG" />

The architectural team is led by Brisbane-based Cottee Parker, one of Australia's most active residential design studios, with landscape architecture by Dunn + Moran. The consultant team also includes ADG Engineers, Windtech and Acoustic Works.

S&amp;S Projects has become one of the most influential private developers operating on the southern Gold Coast. Since entering Rainbow Bay in 2022, the company has assembled a portfolio exceeding $1 billion in end value, establishing itself as a key player in the area's evolution into a premium apartment destination. Pezet Matheson will again handle the sales for S&amp;S.

Coolangatta is entering another wave of apartment development, following the delivery of several prominent residential projects in recent years.

John Kearney's Immerse Projects will launch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kaiya-kirra-beach-5-haig-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Kaiya on Haig Street</a>&nbsp;soon, meanwhile, Palm Beach-based Sherpa Property Group is preparing to bring its debut Coolangatta development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-viver-87-griffith-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Flourish Viveré</a>, to market later this year, subject to approvals.

First look: S&S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street

A landmark former orphanage site in Surrey Hills could be transformed into a new residential community under plans lodged by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/antipodean-land-developments">Antipodean Land Developments</a> that would deliver 76 apartments and townhouses while restoring some of the suburb's most significant heritage buildings.

The burgeoninng Melbourne-based developer has submitted plans for the 9,158 sqm site at 1 Kent Road and 24 Durham Road, home to the former St Joseph's Home for Destitute Children, a historic institutional complex dating back to the late 19th century. The proposal seeks to adaptively reuse several heritage buildings while introducing two new four-storey residential buildings set within extensive landscaped grounds.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> and Kerstin Thompson Architects, the project has been conceived as a contemporary residential village embedded within a restored heritage precinct. The development team describes the design approach as "The Village in the Garden," with new buildings positioned among mature landscaping by OCULUS and significant heritage structures.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44ec8c1b-c0b6-44ae-859e-5811b3e6a023" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29.png?VersionId=p.p1_KFh4iQoV4nisdnPfQBAsWNi7m79" />

The proposal would deliver 76 dwellings comprising a mix of apartments and duplex-style residences, significantly increasing housing supply on one of the largest privately held residential landholdings in Surrey Hills. The development includes 127 car spaces, 24 bicycle spaces and more than 1,000 sqm of communal amenity, with the existing chapel building earmarked for conversion into resident facilities.

According to the planning submission, the project centres on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the site's most significant heritage assets, including the original c.1889 St Joseph's building, the chapel designed by architect Augustus Andrew Fritsch, and the historic brick perimeter walls and entry gates. The proposal also incorporates the retention of other contributory buildings including the former infirmary and school building.

Tract Consultants, in the planning report accompanying the application, said the scheme had been shaped through extensive heritage analysis and design development.

"The shared vision for the Site by the project team has culminated in a scheme which successfully breathes life back into a historic site while delivering upon the objectives of Victoria's Housing Statement in a carefully curated and contextually responsive manner."

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7263b7d8-95ea-400f-9531-6ca7d22c3c33" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29.png?VersionId=4cR1tiWOsDpgxEOwZi5vVFcyvvOsYkIE" />

The proposal is being assessed under Victoria's Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway. As part of the application, three per cent of the project's residential development cost would be contributed to the Social Housing Growth Fund. The development would also provide a diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences targeting a broader range of buyers than typically found in Surrey Hills' detached housing market.

Sustainability initiatives include an anticipated 66 per cent BESS score, natural cross-ventilation to 80 per cent of apartments, 28 per cent deep soil landscaping and a canopy cover outcome exceeding local planning requirements. The proposal also sets aside more than 1,083 sqm for communal indoor and outdoor resident amenity spaces.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33fad46f-fe26-4d0a-acfd-6b776e1c6a3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design.png?VersionId=D9F6WVSyYCtGvSUmith35LRp6R7PQkw_" />

Planning documents describe the property as one of the largest underutilised residential sites in Surrey Hills, arguing it presents a rare opportunity to introduce "missing middle" housing in an established inner-eastern suburb while preserving and revitalising a significant heritage precinct.

Antipodean Land Developments has built a reputation for design-focused residential projects across Melbourne, particularly in the medium-density sector. Previous developments include Neighbourhood in Brunswick East, delivered with Breathe Architecture, and Balfe Park Lane, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects.

They've been very active in site acquisition as they build out their future development pipeline. They recently launched Thornubury House, 45 apartments above a mix of commercial, retail, and food and beverage tenancies, and have plans for a boutique project in Fitzroy and another <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/antipodean-plan-apartments-for-deepdenes-missing-middle-on-whitehorse-road">"missing middle" project</a> on Deepdene's Whitehorse Road.

First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/auyin-property-development">Auyin</a> is the latest to turn to the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program in an effort to secure approval for its long-planned, mixed-use project in Elsternwick.

In 2018, Auyin lodged plans with Glen Eira City Council for a 14-storey building, however Council approved a reduced eight-storey scheme. A subsequent VCAT appeal in 2019 upheld the eight-storey height limit.

The project was later amended to nine storeys, but Auyin is now seeking to revive something closer to its original vision. The developer argues that the planning context has evolved significantly over the past decade, particularly within the Elsternwick Activity Centre, where higher-density development has increasingly been encouraged along Glen Huntly Road.

The proposal would transform the 1,239 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/7-12-horne-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">7-15 Horne Street</a>, opposite Elsternwick Railway Station, into a 13-storey residential and retail development designed by CBG Architects, with 40 apartments

The site currently comprises three commercial properties.

<img alt="First look: 13-storey mixed-use tower planned for Elsternwick activity centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f465dd4-509b-4082-a669-0253b313914b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/elsternwick%20podium.png?VersionId=72frWi0SmQ5AVJ3ARRhX5ILUYObhTm7x" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 25 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom residences above 200 sqm of retail space at ground level. Residents would have access to a 90 sqm wellness facility, a 351 sqm communal indoor and outdoor terrace on the third level, and extensive landscaped areas throughout the development. A publicly accessible 135 sqm plaza would be created on the north-east corner of the site, providing seating, landscaping, and a new gathering space adjoining Horne Street.

The design adopts a four-storey podium that references the finer-grain character of the surrounding streetscape, with the upper tower recessed behind generous setbacks on all boundaries.

<img alt="First look: 13-storey mixed-use tower planned for Elsternwick activity centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e637e763-2abc-4c34-a0aa-5c7ad36fae18" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/elsternwick%20open.png?VersionId=J1AoOpZgTyaF.KeeFSX6lMjEScX8KKRi" />

A key element of the proposal is the reconfiguration and widening of the surrounding laneways. Vehicle access would be retained from Lois Lane, with upgraded pedestrian connections linking Ross Street and Horne Street. The development would provide 58 residential car spaces, two retail car spaces, and 52 bicycle spaces across two basement levels and ground-floor facilities.

Architecturally, the building draws inspiration from the established character of Elsternwick Village. The façade combines dark charcoal brickwork, textured concrete, bronze-toned metal detailing, and extensive planting integrated into podium and tower levels. The design also incorporates a chamfered corner treatment and publicly accessible plaza intended to strengthen pedestrian activity around the station precinct.

Elsternwick's last new development completion was&nbsp;EVA Elsternwick by Pitard late last year. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a> is working away on its nature-led neighbourhood, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a>, on Gordon Street, with its first stage expected to complete next year.

First look: Auyin seeks mixed-use apartment project in growing Elsternwick Activity Centre

Vacancy Rate

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Data released by SQM Research has revealed the national residential vacancy rate fell further to a low of 2.1% in March 2019, with the total number of vacancies Australia-wide now at 70,877.
Canberra is the only capital city to increase its vacancy rate from 0.8% in February to 0.9% in March 2019, reporting only 575 properties available for rent.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all experienced a 0.1% decrease in vacancy rates.
Darwin and Hobart have remained steady at 3.7% and 0.4% respectively.
Hobart continues to record the lowest vacancy rate in the country since September 2014.
Darwin’s vacancy rate is now 3.7% as the city continues to rank the highest of all capital cities since it overtook Perth in September 2018. Sydney currently has the second highest vacancy rate at 3.1%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/16/sqm%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/16/sqm%201.jpg" alt="">
Although there have been some marginal decreases in vacancies in most states over the month, Perth was the only city to record increases in asking rents for both houses and units.
Hobart’s near double digit growth in asking rents for units reflects the ongoing strong demand in a city where rental supply has been pushed to its limits and experiencing shortages in accommodation.
For the major east coast capital cities, although the latest results show a tightening of vacancies and steady rents over the month and the near term, the expected influx of new construction completions and the uncertainty around the Federal election are likely to contribute to increased vacancies and downward pressure on rents, SQM said. 
Australia’s national vacancy rate has not exceeded 3% since SQM Research began collating vacancy rate data in 2005.
With Sydney’s vacancy rate already hovering at 3.1%, Darwin at 3.7%, Brisbane and Perth not too far behind this mark and with new construction completions set to rise over 2019, this may well become a reality towards the end of the year.
Asking Rents
Capital city asking rents increased 0.2% for units but declined 0.7% for houses over March 2019 to record asking rents of $556 per week for houses and $442 per week for units.
In comparison, over the 12 months, asking rents for units declined by 0.2% and rents for houses declined by 1.2%.
Hobart’s weekly asking rents for units surged ahead with a 9.9% increase over the month and 12.3% over the 12 months. House weekly rents however, have decreased 2.2% over the month but improved 4.9% over the year.
Sydney has managed a steady asking rent for units but house rents have marginally declined by 0.8% over the month.
Perth’s rental market increased for both houses and units at 1.2% and 0.9% respectively. In contrast, Adelaide has recorded rental decreases for houses and units at 0.5% for both.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Vacancy rates fall in March, but election likely to lead to uptick: SQM Research

<html><body>
The national residential vacancy rate has remained steady at 2.2% in February 2019, according to the latest data from SQM Research.
The total number of vacancies Australia-wide is now at 72,333, it said. 
Adelaide was the only capital city to increase its vacancy rate over the month, from 1.1% in January to 1.2%, resulting in 2,197 properties available for rent in February 2019.
Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart experienced marginal decreases of 0.1% in vacancy rates.
Melbourne decreased by 0.2% over the month to 1.7%.
Sydney and Perth’s vacancy rates remained steady at 3.2% and 3.0% respectively.
Hobart still remains the lowest of all capital cities at 0.4% for February 2019.
Darwin ranks the highest of all capital cities at 3.7%.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="13%">City</td>
<td width="12%">Feb-2018 Vacancies</td>
<td width="16%">Feb-2018 Vacancy Rate</td>
<td width="14%">Jan-2019 Vacancies</td>
<td width="15%">Jan-2019 Vacancy Rate</td>
<td width="12%">Feb-2019 Vacancies</td>
<td width="14%">Feb-2019 Vacancy Rate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Sydney</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">15,581 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">2.3%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">22,426 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">3.2%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">22,396 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">3.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Melbourne</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">7,889 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">1.4%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">10,564 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">1.9%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">9,818 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">1.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Brisbane</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">10,925 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">3.4%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">8,911 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">2.7%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">8,611 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">2.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Perth</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">8,319 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">4.1%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">6,121 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">3.0%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">6,170 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">3.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Adelaide</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">2,540 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">1.4%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">2,141 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">1.1%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">2,197 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">1.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Canberra</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">495 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">0.8%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">594 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">0.9%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">502 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">0.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Darwin</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">989 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">3.3%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">1,193 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">3.8%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">1,161 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">3.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">Hobart</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">145 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">0.5%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">144 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">0.5%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">133 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="13%">National</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">69,727 </td>
<td nowrap width="16%">2.2%</td>
<td nowrap width="14%">72,574 </td>
<td nowrap width="15%">2.2%</td>
<td nowrap width="12%">72,333 </td>
<td nowrap width="14%">2.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: SQM Research
Asking Rents
Capital city asking rents declined 0.2% for both houses and units over the month to 12 March 2019 to $559 per week for houses and $441 per week for units. 
Similarly, over the 12 months, asking rents for both houses and units also declined by 0.2%.
Adelaide and Hobart recorded increases in weekly rents over the month for both houses and units with Hobart houses recording the highest weekly rental increase of 4.5% for houses and 1.8% for units.
Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Darwin recorded marginal decreases in both house and unit asking rents over the month to 12 March 2019. 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="6" valign="top" width="100%">SQM Research Weekly Rents Index</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="35%">Week ending: 12 Mar 2019</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">Rent</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="13%">Change on prev week</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="19%">Rolling month % chg</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="17%">12 month % chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Sydney</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">706.9</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.1  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.5%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-4.3%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">507.2</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-0.2  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.7%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-3.2%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Melbourne</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">543.6</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-0.6  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.0%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">2.3%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">420.1</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.9  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">0.7%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">4.0%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Brisbane</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">456.8</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-0.8  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.1%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">2.1%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">370.9</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.1  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-1.0%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">1.2%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Perth</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">440.5</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.5  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.1%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">4.2%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">333.3</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">1.7  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">1.4%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">2.0%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Adelaide</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">394.8</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">1.2  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">0.6%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">3.4%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">302.4</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.6  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">0.9%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">2.3%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Canberra</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">644.9</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">3.1  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.0%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">4.1%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">455.1</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-0.1  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-1.2%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">4.0%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Darwin</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">490.3</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-0.3  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-2.8%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-9.5%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">378.4</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-0.4  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-1.6%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-8.6%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Hobart</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">437.7</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">6.3  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">4.5%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">3.7%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">364.4</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">-2.4  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">1.8%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-0.2%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">National</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">447.0</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">2.0  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.2%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">0.9%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">360.0</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.0</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.6%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">0.8%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="20%">Cap City Average</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Houses</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">559.0</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">1.0  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.2%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-0.2%  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">All Units</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="14%">441.0</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="13%">0.0</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">-0.2%  </td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">-0.2%  </td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a href="http://www.sqmresearch.com.au/" target="_blank">www.sqmresearch.com.au</a>
</body></html>

National vacancy rate steadies in February: SQM Research 

<html><body>
Data released by SQM Research revealed the national residential vacancy rate predictably declined to 2.2% in January, down from 2.5% in December 2018.
SQM had the total number of vacancies Australia-wide declining to 72,574 – some 9,984 fewer properties are now available for rent in December 2018.
All capital cities, except Hobart experienced a decline in their vacancy rates in January with Darwin currently having the highest vacancy rate of all capital cities at 3.8%, down from 0.5% on December’s vacancy of 4.3%.
Although Hobart increased its vacancy rate marginally by 0.1%, it still remains the lowest of all capital cities at 0.5% for January 2019.
Sydney’s vacancy rate, although declining, is still currently the second highest of all capital cities at 3.2% with 22,426 properties available for rent. 
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="13%">
City
</td>
<td width="12%">
Jan-2018 Vacancies
</td>
<td width="16%">
Jan-2018 Vacancy Rate
</td>
<td width="14%">
Dec-2018 Vacancies
</td>
<td width="15%">
Dec-2018 Vacancy Rate
</td>
<td width="12%">
Jan-2019 Vacancies
</td>
<td width="14%">
Jan-2019 Vacancy Rate
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Adelaide
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
2,793 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
1.5%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2,383 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
1.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
2,141 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Perth
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
8,909 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
4.4%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
6,935 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
3.4%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
6,121 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
9,744 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
1.8%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
12,619 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
2.2%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
10,564 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
11,505 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
3.6%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
10,519 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
3.2%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
8,911 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Canberra
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
569 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
0.9%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
829 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
1.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
594 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
15,775 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
2.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
25,177 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
3.6%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
22,426 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Darwin
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
941 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
3.1%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1,317 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
4.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
1,193 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
Hobart
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
126 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
0.4%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
121 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
0.4%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
144 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="13%">
National
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
74,113 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="16%">
2.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
82,558 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="15%">
2.5%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
72,574 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.2%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
SQM’s calculations of vacancies are based on online rental listings that have been advertised for three weeks or more compared to the total number of established rental properties.
SQM considers this to be a superior methodology compared to using a potentially incomplete sample of agency surveys or merely relying on raw online listings advertised. 
The managing director of SQM Research, Louis Christopher said, the decline in vacancies is expected in January as December usually has a higher seasonal listings.
"It still appears to be a tenants market in Darwin and Sydney where vacancy rates are high at 3.8% and 3.2% respectively," he said. 
"Going forward, we expect another seasonal decline in vacancies for the month of February.
"However for the year our expectation is national vacancy rates will rise at the national level, driven by rises in Sydney." 
The decline in vacancies saw asking rents for houses in capital city increase 0.2% over the month to 12 February 2019 to $560 a week.
Unit asking rents also increased 0.7% to $442 a week. Over the year, asking rents for houses declined 0.4% while unit asking rents remained steady.
Hobart recorded the highest weekly rental increase of 4.8% for units but house weekly rents declined 0.6% declined. Just 12 months ago, Hobart’s house asking rent had increased by 4.3%.
Sydney, Melbourne and Perth recorded marginal increases in both house and unit asking rents over the month to 12 February 2019.
Whilst Darwin, Brisbane and Adelaide recorded declines in weekly rents for both houses and units.  Canberra’s house rentals increased 1.6% but unit asking rents declined 1.7%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/2/12/sqm%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/2/12/sqm%201.jpg" alt="">
SQM's <a href="http://www.sqmresearch.com.au/graph_vacancy.php?region=nsw::Sydney&amp;type=c&amp;t=1#terms" target="_blank">methodology page</a> explains how SQM’s vacancies are compiled.
</body></html>

Vacancy rates decline in January across most capital cities

<html><body>
The national vacancy rate rose to 2.5 percent in December, up from 2.3 percent in November, according to SQM Research.
Sydney and Canberra were the biggest contributors, with both of their vacancy rates increasing 0.4 percent.
Sydney's vacant rate is currently the second highest of all capital cities at 3.6 percent, with 25,177 properties available for rent.
Canberra's is at a lot 1.3 percent, with just the 829 properties for rate.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said 2019 could become a tenants market.
"The rise in vacancies continue into December due to seasonality, with Hobart continuing to face ongoing tight rental conditions however rents in Hobart have decreased over the month for both houses and units.”
 “If current vacancy rate levels continue to rise into January and February, Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth will be a tenant’s market in 2019,” Christopher said.
The total number of vacancies Australia-wide increased to 82,558 – an additional 7,968 properties now available for rent since November 2018.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/15/SQM-Rents.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/15/SQM-Rents.jpg" alt="">
Darwin has the highest vacancy rate at 4.3 percent. 
Perth follows Sydney as the third highest capital vacancy rate, although it's remained steady at 3.4 percent from November and well down from 4.6 percent a year ago when it was the highest of all capital cities.
Brisbane edged higher in December from three percent to 3.2 percent in November. A year ago the vacancy rate sat at 3.8 percent.
Melbourne's vacancy rate is at a low 2.2 percent, but increased from its 1.9 percent rate in November. It's up just 0.1 percent from a year ago.
Adelaide rose 0.1 percent in December, but is down from 1.5 percent in December 2017. 
Hobart has continued its record low vacancy rate of 0.4 percent with no change from November.
Asking rents for houses grew 0.7 percent over the month to 12 January to $559 a week.
Unit asking rents also grew 0.7 percent over the same period to $429 a week.
Over the year, asking rents for houses rose 0.7% while unit asking rents slipped 0.2%.
 
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Sydney and Canberra drive national vacancy rates higher in December: SQM Research

<html><body>
The national residential vacancy rate was steady at 2.1% in September 2018, according to data released by SQM Research.
The number of vacancies Australia-wide sat at 70,172 properties.
At a capital city level, Sydney’s vacancy rate remained at its highest level in 13 years, unchanged at 2.8% in September from August with 19,469 properties available for rent.  
Melbourne’s vacancy rate rose to 1.7% in September from 1.6% in August with 9,676 dwellings available for rent.  
Hobart’s vacancy rate slipped to just 0.4% and Canberra’s tightened to 0.6%. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/16/SQM%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge:
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/10/16/SQM%201.jpg" alt="">
Brisbane’s vacancy rate rose to 2.9% from 2.8% in September, but was down from 3.5% a year ago.
Perth’s vacancy rate fell to 3.6% from 3.7% from August, being well down from 4.9% a year ago as the oversupply of rental properties.
Darwin’s vacancy rate rose to 3.6% from 3.5% while Adelaide's slipped to just 1.1% from 1.2%.
SQM’s calculations of vacancies are based on online rental listings that have been advertised for three weeks or more compared to the total number of established rental properties.
Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research, said:
“There is now an extreme shortage of rental accommodation in Hobart with just over 100 properties vacant and available to rent.  
“Hobart rents have already been rising well above the national average for the past three years and I think that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future as the construction pipeline is not keeping up with underlying demand.
“There is a similar situation in Canberra.
“While we may speak of a surplus of rental properties in our largest city Sydney, this is a timely reminder that we have a mixed national housing market overall.”
Asking Rents
Capital city asking rents for houses were steady over the month to 12 October 2018 at $552 a week, while Unit asking rents fell to 0.7% to $437 a week, SQM Research said.
Over the year, asking rents for houses rose just 0.4% while unit asking rents slipped 0.2%.
The asking rent for a three-bedroom house in Sydney remains the highest nationwide at $714 a week and $513 a week for two-bedroom units.
Asking unit rents were down 0.4% in Sydney over the month while asking house rents rose 0.9%. 
Asking rents in Melbourne have fallen, with unit down 0.7% over the month to 12 October to $406 a week while asking rents for houses fell 0.5% to $524.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/16/SQM%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/10/16/SQM%202.jpg" alt="">
</body></html>

Sydney vacancy rate remains at record high in September: SQM Research

<html><body>
The national residential vacancy rate dipped to 2.1% in August 2018, according to SQM research, however Sydney’s vacancy rate remained at its highest level in 13 years.
An oversupply of rental property is keeping asking rents down in the harbour capital.
The number of vacancies across the country sat at 70,447 properties. 
Sydney’s vacancy rate was unchanged at 2.8% from July with 19,114 properties available for rent, and remains at the highest level since SQM started recording the data in 2005, and well up from 1.9% a year ago.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/9/18/sqm1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/9/18/sqm1.jpg" alt="">
Hobart recorded the lowest vacancy rate of 0.5 percent, although higher than this time last year. Melbourne's vacancy rate has remained steadfast at 1.6 percent for over 12 months.
Brisbane has been the biggest mover in the last 12 months. In August last year its rate stood at 3.4 percent. Now it's 2.8 percent, having dropped 0.1 percent since July 2018.
Perth has followed a similar pattern, dropping from 4.9 percent this time last year to its current 3.7 percent. Darwin's vacancy rate was the only capital city rise, from 3.4 percent to 3.5 percent.
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Capital city asking rents for houses rose over the month to 12 September 2018 by 0.7% to $552 a week. Unit asking rents were steady at $440 a week. Over the year, asking rents for houses and units rose just 0.5%.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/9/18/Sqm2.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/9/18/Sqm2.jpg" alt="">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said asking rents had eased in Sydney given the greater supply of rental accommodation, which is now verging on oversupply. 
“The trend for the vacancy rate is definitely up and, as a result, Sydney is increasingly becoming a tenant’s market," Christopher said.
"Over the year to 12 September, asking rents for houses in Sydney dropped by 3.4% and we expect to see further falls. 
"In contrast, the tight rental markets in Hobart and Canberra are continuing to push asking rents higher,” he said. 
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
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National vacancy rate dips in August but Sydney at 13 year highs: SQM

<html><body>
Availability across the Sydney rental market remained relatively steady in July 2018, according to research from the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales.
REINSW Deputy President Brett Hunter said the July 2018 REINSW Vacancy Rate Survey  saw vacancy rates across the Sydney metropolitan at 2.8 per cent, a rise of 0.1 percentage points
“The vacancy rate fell 0.1 percentage points in both Middle and Inner Sydney at 2.9 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively, while Outer Sydney bucked the trend rising 0.3 percentage points at 2.7 per cent.  “The Sydney vacancy rate we are seeing at the moment is in line with the winter seasonal trend,” Mr Hunter said.   
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/8/17/VACANCY%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge: </a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/17/VACANCY%201.jpg" alt=""> 
In the Hunter, vacancy rates fell 0.2 percentage points to 1.7 per cent, with Newcastle down 0.2 percentage points at 2.2 per cent. The Illawarra dropped 0.5 percentage points to 2.0 per cent with Wollongong down 0.3 percentage points to 2.0 per cent.  Across regional areas, Albury was up 0.1 percentage points at 1.5 per cent, while the Riverina and Central Coast were steady at 3.1 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/8/17/VACANCY%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge: </a>
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Sydney rental market remains steady in winter seasonal trend: REINSW

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Data released by SQM Research has revealed the national residential vacancy rate dipped to 2.2% in July 2018.
But the vacancy rate in Sydney remains at its highest level in 13 years, which has pushed down asking rents in the nation’s biggest city. 
The number of vacancies Australia-wide sat at 72,458 properties.
Sydney’s vacancy rate was unchanged at 2.8% from June, the highest level since SQM started recording the data in 2005, and well up from 1.9% a year ago with 19,114 properties available for rent. 
In contrast, to Sydney, Melbourne’s vacancy rate is much lower, just 1.6% in July, though unchanged from June and a year ago. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/14/SQM%201.png" alt="">
Brisbane is enjoying a sustained reduction in its vacancy rate, falling to 2.9% in July, down from 3.0% in June and 3.6% in July 2017. The decline in Brisbane follows five straight monthly declines in rental vacancies in the first half of 2018.
Canberra’s vacancy rate slipped to 0.8%, down from 0.9% in June and 1.1% a year ago. Hobart's vacancy rate was steady at 0.7% in July, but up from 0.5% a year ago. Adelaide’s vacancy rate fell to 1.3% from 1.5%, and down from 1.8% a year ago.
Darwin’s vacancy rate fell to 3.4% from 3.5% in June. Perth’s vacancy rate slipped to 4.0%, and is well down from 5.2% a year earlier as the oversupply of rental properties eases in that city. 
Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research, said asking rents had eased in Sydney given the greater supply of rental accommodation – and he expects rents to keep falling.
“The supply of rental accommodation, especially of new units, has jumped following the building boom in the city. Sydney has also experienced slowing population growth, which has helped to push asking rents lower, as landlords increasingly struggle to fill properties. In contrast, the tight rental market in Hobart is continuing to push rents higher,” Christopher said.
Asking Rents
Capital city asking rents for houses fell over the month to 12 August 2018 by 0.2% to $548 a week. Unit asking rents dropped 0.9% to $440 a week. Over the year, asking house rents rose just 0.2% and unit rents rose a modest 0.5%.
The asking rent for a three-bedroom house in Sydney is the highest nationwide at $707 a week, but fell 0.3% over the month to 12 August. Asking unit rents now stand at $515, down 1.2%. Canberra asking house rents stand at $626 a week and $437 for units. Hobart’s unit asking rents jumped 3.7% over the month to 12 August to $360 a week while house rents rose 0.4% to $400.
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Sydney vacancy rate remains at 13-year high: SQM Research

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Australia’s main CBD markets have recorded a decline in office vacancy rates throughout the first half of 2018, with Sydney and Melbourne CBDs continuing to exhibit their strength as vacancy rates in both markets fell to their lowest levels in more than 10 years.
The findings come in the Property Council of Australia’s (PCA) release of its mid-2018 Office Market Report. 
Here's Savills Australia's analysis starting with the national outlook, then state by state:
National overview
Savills Australia’s Associate Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/research/australian-research.aspx" target="_blank" title="Savills Research">Capital Strategy and Research</a>, Shrabastee Mallik, said there had been a clear difference in performance between the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs and the other main CBD markets, with the resource-reliant Perth and Brisbane office markets feeling the effects of the mining downturn until about six months ago.
“A renewal in economic growth globally in 2017 saw a renewal in demand for Australian resources and subsequent rises in commodity prices, leading to significant growth in corporate profits, particularly in the mining sector,” Ms Mallik said.
“We are now seeing this having a positive effect on the previously struggling Perth and Brisbane office markets, with subsequent falls in vacancy rates in these markets.”
Ms Mallik went on to say that a turnaround in these markets was already evident, with further improvements in 2018 likely when activity on the ground and various forward-looking economic indicators were considered.
“Low rents and high incentives in Perth and Brisbane are providing the impetus for businesses to acquire space in the CBDs, with recentralisation likely to be a key theme in the short to medium term,” she said.
“While there is concern that the Sydney and Melbourne CBD office markets appear to have peaked in terms of performance, when we consider forward-looking economic indicators, such as economic growth forecasts – particularly in the services and education sectors, which are key market-drivers for these markets – these fears would appear to be largely unfounded."
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Source: Savills
New South Wales
In the first half of 2018, the Sydney CBD office vacancy rate fell to its lowest level since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, after a steady decline for the past eight quarters.
The strength of the market has been further highlighted by face rents rising to record high levels across all grades.
“We have seen a large number of tech and IT firms centralising and organically growing in the CBD after decentralisations due to cost pressures during the 2008 to 2010 period,” Savills NSW State Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank" title="Office Leasing">Office Leasing</a> in Sydney, Rob Dickins, said.
“These firms are now profitable and chasing and trying to retain talent in a very competitive industry sector."
“We have obviously also seen the emergence of co-working groups such as WeWork, Regus and Spaces, among others, which are now significant occupiers of space in the CBD.”
Mr Dickins said demand from smaller occupiers was still evident, with a spike in leasing activity in the sub-1,000sq m category, driven largely by the opportunity and capital cost savings in speculatively fitted tenancies.
“While net absorption has been low, this is largely as a result of reduced available space in this category, due to the absorption associated with government projects, and the redevelopment and change-of-use projects currently underway,” he said.
Victoria
The Melbourne CBD experienced a reduction in vacancy rate as a result of tenant migration to higher-quality office space, predominantly A Grade space, as well as some tenants taking on expansion space. 
Savills Australia’s State Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank" title="Savills Office Leasing">Office Leasing</a> in Melbourne, Mark Rasmussen, said that the Melbourne CBD office market continued to maintain strong growth across all office building grades and all sectors.
“Continuing falling vacancy due to lack of supply and steady demand has resulted in maintaining the trend of increasing rentals and lower lease incentives,” he said.
“The strong economy, positive market sentiment and continued migration – of tenants to the CBD and the increasing population – is underpinning demand."
“The co-working sector, education market and growth across Melbourne’s increasingly diversified market is adding further upward pressure to rents.”
Mr Rasmussen said the fourth quarter of 2019 would see the market peak, with record low vacancy rates and rental rates continuing to climb after decades of remaining “stubbornly low”, when compared to most other Australian marketplaces.
“While the 2020 and 2021 new supply numbers are locked in and significant, the pent-up demand will see the new higher rent levels being maintained, with increases in incentives back to 2016 and 2017 levels likely,” he said.   
Queensland
Following a slight spike in the total office vacancy rate in Brisbane’s CBD in December 2017, vacancy rates dropped after strong leasing activity in the first six months of 2018. 
“With rents and incentives in the Brisbane CBD now very similar to the surrounding fringe office market, we have seen a number of recentralisations from large firms in the finance and insurance sectors consolidating space in the CBD, as they take advantage of large floor plates in refurbished prime grade buildings,” Savills Australia’s State Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank" title="Savills Office Leasing">Office Leasing</a> in Brisbane, John McDonald said.
South Australia
Adelaide’s CBD office vacancy rate appears to be in a holding pattern, as the “flight to quality” trend continues to partially offset the migration from potentially non-competitive space, to prime-grade space concentrated within specific buildings.
Increasing competition on the supply side for prime-grade stock had previously led to a rise in backfill vacancy within secondary space as these tenants relocated but this trend seems to be subsiding, as the gap between prime and secondary vacancy rates begins to shrink. 
This observation comes on the back of owners looking to reposition buildings on a floor-by-floor basis to retain existing tenants.
Savills Australia’s Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank" title="Savills Office Leasing">Office Leasing</a> in Adelaide, Adam Hartley, said the majority of demand for office space in Adelaide was for prime-grade space, although the market was seeing lower levels of take-up.
“We are starting to see signs that incentives are tapering off, particularly for prime or refurbished space,” he said.
“We have seen examples of tenants securing a net incentive of around 35 percent – this time last year, that figure would have been around 40 percent.”
Mr Hartley said he was expecting to start seeing a shift in the technical vacancy rate in the second half of the year.
“There have been a number of economic metrics that have constrained tenant decision-making throughout the past nine months, including the state election and the last stage of abolishing stamp duty cuts for non-residential property transfers being finalised,” he said.
“On that note, there are several green shoots emerging, which will begin to benefit office take-up in the CBD – defense announcements being key, as well as general public infrastructure investment that is underway."
“These industries bode well for take-up of engineering or project space in the short-term,” he concluded 
Western Australia
Perth’s office leasing market is unlikely to see any further increases in the technical vacancy rate in the medium term, as the market is no longer facing the high volume of incoming new supply that it was through 2015 and 2016.
While the period of tenants rationalising space is over, the “flight to quality” trend remains a key driver in the market, as does recentralisation back to the CBD.
Savills Australia’s Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank" title="Savills Office Leasing">Office Leasing</a> in Perth, Shelley Ritter, said demand for prime-grade space was continuing to drive a reduction in the overall vacancy rate, and it was becoming “increasingly challenging for larger tenants to secure contiguous floor options, especially in premium-grade space”. 
“The differential between prime and secondary space that began to emerge mid-2015 has never been this wide, a trend which is beginning to drive down incentives, particularly in premium and A Grade space,” she said.
Ms Ritter said there had been some “marked improvements” in the state’s economy, with long-term outlooks suggesting a return to a more sustainable investment level in regards to the mining and resource sector. 
“Some of the state’s biggest and best-known mining producers have announced commitments to new projects, and investment in emerging sectors such as lithium is rising,” she said.
“We know that there is circa 70,000sq m in active leasing requirements currently in the market for new or expansion space from some of these large occupiers.
“These companies will play a significant role in office take-up for the next three to five years, with indirect organic demand expected to be created on the back of this from other industries, such as finance, legal, property and business services.”
Ms Ritter said a conservative outlook would suggest that the weight of this demand, together with a “somewhat cautious” development pipeline, will contribute to a decline in vacancy rate.
“Our view, however, is that this will potentially occur much faster than the market anticipates,” she said.
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra’s office market offers stable rental growth unlike any other office market in Australia, due to the strong government sector presence, according to Pip Doogan, Savills Australia’s Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank" title="Savills Office Leasing">Office Leasing</a> in Canberra.
“While other markets are often subject to economic cycles, the nature of the government tenants in Canberra means that lessors are protected against significant rises and falls in rents,” she said.
Savills Australia data shows that on average, net face rents for Canberra’s A Ggrade assets grew 2.8 percent throughout the 12 months to June 2018, largely in line with the 10-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.95 percent per annum. 
“Interestingly, rental growth across B Grade assets was more pronounced, with net face rents growing 8.5 percent throughout the past financial year, far exceeding the 10-year CAGR of 0.7 percent per annum,” Ms Doogan said.
Ms Doogan noted that a slight increase in incentives across secondary-grade assets has meant that growth on an effective basis has been flat. 
“Based on leasing deals we are currently looking at and witnessing, there appears to be a divergence in rental growth in prime and secondary grade buildings,” she said.
“Given the wide range of buildings available in Canberra (based on quality), lessees are able to negotiate more favorable terms on secondary-grade space, while the pendulum remains firmly in the landlord’s favour, particularly in those sub-precincts with record low vacancy rates.”
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Source: Savills
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Savills on what the future holds for Australia's office market

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Renters are on the front foot as Sydney’s residential vacancy rate hits levels last seen in September 2012, according to research from the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales.
REINSW President Leanne Pilkington said the April 2018 REINSW Vacancy Rate Survey saw availability rise 0.3 percentage points to 2.5% for the Sydney metropolitan area.  
“The tide is beginning to turn for tenants with vacancy rates at five-year lows,” Pilkington said.  
“There appears to be a saturation of supply, and agents are noting that previously high rents are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. 
“In Outer Sydney vacancy rates rose 0.2 percentage points to 2.5%, while Inner Sydney and Middle Sydney both increased 0.3 percentage points to 2.2% and 2.9% respectively. 
In the Hunter, vacancy rates rose 0.1 percentage points to 1.7%, with Newcastle up 0.4 percentage points at 2.2%. The Illawarra added 0.3 percentage points to 2.1% with Wollongong increasing 0.1 percentage points to 2.3%. 
Across regional areas, Albury slipped 0.4 percentage points at 1.8%, the Central Coast fell 0.2 percentage points at 2.0%, while the Northern Rivers added 0.1 percentage points to 1.3% and the South Coast gained 0.5 percentage points to 3.0%.
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