<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.</p>

<p>A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.</p>

<p>Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]</p>

<p>“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.</p>

<p>From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.</p>

<p>The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]</p>

<p>Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.</p>

<p>A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.</p>

<p>Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]</p>

<p>Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.</p>

<p>“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.</p>

<p>Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]</p>

<p>Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.</p>

<p data-end="8307" data-start="8063">The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.</p>

<p data-end="8543" data-start="8312">“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”</p>

<p data-end="8915" data-start="8548">The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.</p>

<p>The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]</p>


Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

<p>A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.</p>

<p>The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.</p>

<p>Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.</p>

<p>The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.</p>

<p>The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" /></p>

<p>Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.</p>

<p>Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.</p>

<p>The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."</p>

<p>The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" /></p>

<p>Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.</p>

<p>The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.</p>


First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

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<p>A 60-apartment building nine storeys tall would be a rarity almost anywhere along this stretch of Moreton Bay, but that's exactly what's been lodged for a modest Deception Bay street better known for its single-storey weatherboard homes.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherlock-construction-homes">Sherlock Construction Homes</a> is seeking to push Deception Bay’s emerging medium-density housing profile higher, lodging plans for a nine-storey apartment building near the suburb’s shopping centre and foreshore.</p>

<p>Dubbed Grosvenor Apartments, the proposal at 14-20 Grosvenor Terrace would replace two detached homes with a new building designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mode">Mode Design</a>&nbsp;which would&nbsp;reach nearly 30 metres, well above the site’s mapped 21-metre building height.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches 9-storey tower for low-rise Deception Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="86c21a25-5a97-4ca7-a361-80757137ea5b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Deception%20da%20front.png?VersionId=aXIujfvEhH33sLHOEjHFv9Ii6qxSvAF4" /></p>

<p>The apartment mix is weighted toward larger homes, with 14 three-bedroom apartments, 31 two-bedroom apartments and 15 one-bedroom apartments. Six apartment types are spread across the floors, ranging from 66 sqm one-bedroom units through to three-bedroom apartments of 116 sqm, most with private balconies or terraces.</p>

<p>Levels one through seven follow a consistent layout of six to eight apartments per floor arranged around a central lift and stair core, with the top floor, level eight, trading one apartment for a landscaped community breakout space rather than repeating the standard layout below.</p>

<p>Ground floor is dedicated to arrival and services, with a lobby, mailroom and manager's office, alongside 91 car spaces.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches 9-storey tower for low-rise Deception Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b098bde0-5fe1-4e6c-9601-e5446612e5fc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Deception%20podium.png?VersionId=A0hfENMNxSxkfh9Jl6D4WJ9XIraeOukA" /></p>

<p>Mode Design's brief describes a "serene coastal-inspired design blending soft curves, natural textures and light-filled spaces to reflect the relaxed Deception Bay lifestyle."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The material palette leans on white and grey render, timber-look aluminium screening and stacked-brick-look finishes, with hanging greenery and vine planting proposed across balcony edges and ground-level walls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Balconies feature asymmetrical geometries intended to vary the building's rhythm rather than repeat a single module up the tower, while lush planting is concentrated over the entry and level one balconies to soften the building's base.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches 9-storey tower for low-rise Deception Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c05c5693-3e00-42d0-b075-55c36094f4db" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Deception%20da%201.png?VersionId=cMKJgBsBaaVCd2dA5O22SOT38OT_.BPA" /></p>

<p>The design evolved following an April 2025 prelodgement meeting with council. At that stage, the project was conceived as a seven-storey building containing 45 apartments. The subsequently lodged scheme increases the development to nine storeys and 60 apartments while introducing one-bedroom residences to the mix.</p>

<p>Zone Planning argues the additional scale reflects the site's position within an area earmarked for increased residential intensity. The planning report points to the North Lakes-Redcliffe-Moreton Bay Rail corridor strategy, which identifies Deception Bay as a district-level activity centre and supports greater housing choice within urban neighbourhoods.</p>

<p>Market Square Deception Bay, Deception Bay Sports Centre, Deception Bay State School, public transport, community facilities and the Moreton Bay foreshore are all identified within approximately one kilometre of the site, while the property falls within a 400-metre walking catchment of Market Square.</p>

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

<p data-end="587" data-start="368">Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.</p>

<p data-end="778" data-start="589">The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.</p>

<p data-end="907" data-start="780"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.</p>

<p data-end="1052" data-start="909">The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.</p>

<p data-end="1311" data-start="1054">The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.</p>

<p data-end="1451" data-start="1313">The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.</p>

<p data-end="1676" data-start="1453">MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.</p>

<p data-end="1908" data-start="1678">Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.</p>

<p data-end="2142" data-start="1910">The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.</p>

<p data-end="2142" data-start="1910"><img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" /></p>

<p data-end="2308" data-start="2144">MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.</p>

<p data-end="2648" data-start="2310">"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.</p>

<p data-end="2797" data-start="2650">"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."</p>

<p data-end="2938" data-start="2799">The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.</p>

<p data-end="3216" data-start="2940">Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.</p>

<p data-end="3325" data-start="3218">Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.</p>

<p data-end="3442" data-start="3327">"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.</p>

<p data-end="3662" data-start="3444">"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."</p>

<p data-end="3818" data-start="3664">MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.</p>

<p data-end="4076" data-start="3820">"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.</p>

<p data-end="4375" data-start="4078">"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."</p>

<p data-end="4503" data-start="4377">Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.</p>

<p data-end="4741" data-start="4505">"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."</p>

<p data-end="4910" data-start="4743">The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.</p>

<p data-end="4951" data-start="4912">MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.</p>


First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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<p data-end="600" data-start="394">Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.</p>

<p data-end="733" data-start="602">But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.</p>

<p data-end="970" data-start="735">Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.</p>

<p data-end="970" data-start="735">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]</p>

<p data-end="1159" data-start="972">The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.</p>

<p data-end="1357" data-start="1161">It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.</p>

<p data-end="1664" data-start="1517">Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.</p>

<p data-end="1826" data-start="1666">Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.</p>

<p data-end="1826" data-start="1666">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]</p>

<p data-end="2045" data-start="1828">Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.</p>

<p data-end="2269" data-start="2047">"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.</p>

<p data-end="2430" data-start="2271">A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.</p>

<p data-end="2606" data-start="2432">It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.</p>

<p data-end="2724" data-start="2608">At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.</p>

<p data-end="2892" data-start="2726">Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.</p>

<p data-end="2892" data-start="2726">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]</p>

<p data-end="3004" data-start="2894">Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.</p>

<p data-end="3214" data-start="3006">"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.</p>

<p data-end="3670" data-start="3538">&nbsp;</p>

<p data-end="3670" data-start="3538">[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]</p>

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Western Australia

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<p>Amendments to the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 are being drafted in Western Australia to include new plumbing standards for subdivision plumbing work in relation to survey strata schemes.</p>
<p>The changes are outlined in Industry Bulletin 125 – New requirements for plumbing services to survey strata lot developments.</p>
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<p>The new standards for plumbing services in relation to survey strata schemes commenced operation on 15 August 2020.</p>
<p><span>Plumbing services to individual survey strata lots consist of sanitary drainage service lines and connection points, and water supply service lines and connection points. </span></p>
<p><span>The requirements apply to survey strata developments consisting of two or more survey strata lots.</span></p>
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<p><span>Prior to 2015 the Water Corporation provided guidance and direction to land developers in the form of ‘Plumbers advice kits’ for the provision of sanitary drainage service lines and connection points and </span><span>to;</span><span>water supply services to individual survey strata lots.</span></p>
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<p><span>The developer would then engage an LPC to install the services where necessary as part of the process towards obtaining titles for the lots. This generally ensured that survey strata lots were provided with suitable plumbing services prior to the lots being sold and building commencing.</span></p>
<p><span>In 2015 the Water Corporation came to a decision that it was not in their remit to enforce requirements for plumbing services to individual survey strata lots beyond providing a connection point at the main lot boundary. Since then there have been consistent issues regarding the provision of plumbing services to individual survey strata lots including:</span></p>
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<p><span>• new strata lots not being provided with services at all;</span></p>
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<p>• services to lots being inappropriately located, e.g. installed diagonally across other lots where they are susceptible to damage during site-works;</p>
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<p><span>• lots that are not serviced being ‘built out’ when a house is built on another lot that is between them and the main sewer connection point; and</span></p>
<p><span>• difficulty locating connection points due to no drainage plumbing diagram being available.</span></p>
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<p><span>Where sanitary drainage services are required a developer must engage an LPC to install a suitable sanitary drainage service line(s) and connection point(s) to each lot. </span></p>
<p><span>Where water services are required the developer must enter into an agreement with a water services provider (in most instances the Water Corporation) to either install infrastructure, or provide direct services </span><span>or </span><span>multi-metering to each lot on the survey strata scheme, or alternatively engage an LPC to install water supply services to each lot on the scheme.</span></p>
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Plumbing standards regulations being drafted for strata subdivision plumbing work

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<p>Ahead of the full impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, nearly 1 in 10 stores across WA’s 78 largest supermarket based shopping centres is currently vacant, according to a new study by independent commercial property research and information firm, Y Research.</p>
<p>The study physically reviewed the occupancy of metropolitan Perth’s 78 largest supermarket based centres from Butler in the north, Mundaring in the east and Halls Head in the south across June 2020, after relaxation of COVID 19 restrictions.</p>
<p>As of June 2020, the vacancy rate across these centres was 9.4%.</p>
<p>The vacancy rate for WA’s largest centres, Major Regionals which includes centres such as Lakeside Joondalup, Westfield Booragoon and the Galleria, was 7.4%, more than three times higher than their historical average of 1 to 2%. Despite anecdotal evidence that consumers are shopping at local neighbourhood centres, these centres recorded the highest vacancy rate of 13.9%, followed by sub regional centres with 11.5%.</p>
<p>There is a wide disparity across centres reflecting economic conditions across Perth’s suburbs. Claremont Quarter recorded the lowest vacancy rate - 1.7%. Conversely 21 centres across suburban Perth have vacancy rates already over 15%, with 5 centres more than 25% vacant.</p>
<p>There are a range of factors contributing to the current level of vacancy - weak economic conditions post the mining boom, a string of national retailers going into administration and recent centre expansions adding supply.</p>
<p>Y Research Principal Damian Stone said, “So far COVID has had minimal impact on current vacancies. A limited number of retailers, mainly tourism based retailers such as travel agents, have surrendered their tenancies. For a majority of retailers, a combination of rental relief from shopping centre owners, a national code of conduct restricting evictions and Government Assistance (Job Keeper) has seen them return to trading."</p>
<p>"The longer term impact of the pandemic on WA’s shopping centres remains uncertain. Based on discussions with industry stakeholders, the expectation is that across the balance of 2020 we will see a limited number of retailers close, but the new looming cliff is February/March 2021 when Government assistance ends and investment decisions, such as ordering winter stock, are required."</p>
<p>"Retailers will be depending on a strong Christmas/New Year period in order to trade through the worst of the economic pain caused by the pandemic. Going forward, the internet is as much a threat to centres as COVID. The pandemic has driven significant retail sales online with a broader range of consumers happy to shop online through platforms such as Amazon, Uber Eats and retailers’ expanded e-commerce platforms."</p>
<p>"The pandemic has seen the range of products purchased online grow from fashion, food and entertainment (Netflix and books) through to groceries and homewares."</p>
<p>"The continued closure, either full time or on reduced hours, of a number of national chain stores is a likely early indicator of consolidation of store networks adding to existing high vacancies. Further closures will be difficult to fill."</p>
<p>"In response, in the years ahead the tenancy mix across WA centres will evolve with services such as medical centres and gyms becoming a standard feature; lower discretionary spending will drive take up from discount retailers and moves to add density surrounding the centre will be common place."</p>
<p>"For retailers, further discounting will likely be required in order to get consumers to part with limited discretionary spending post Government assistance."</p>
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Nearly 1 in 10 stores across WA shopping centres is vacant: Y Research

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<p>Western Australia is the most affordable state to live in for the eleventh quarter in a row, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of Australia report. </p>
<p>REIWA president Damian Collins said the report findings revealed affordability in WA's housing and rental market were still at their best levels. </p>
<p><span><span>“The March quarter was an unusual one for the entire nation due to COVID-19, however it’s pleasing to see that WA has remained the most affordable state, while seeing prices and rents holding and not falling significantly, as was predicted by many early on,” Mr Collins said. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>According to the report, tenants in WA were only required to use<span> 16.6 per cent of their</span> family income to pay their rent in the March quarter.  </span></span></p>
<p><span>"This is significantly below other states where it reached as high as 30.5 per cent.” Mr Collins said. </span></p>
<p><span>The proportion of family income required to meet home loan repayments was 25 per cent in WA over the same period, significantly less than </span><span style="font-size: 12.16px;">NSW where homeowners still pay an average of 42.5 per cent of their family income on home loan repayments. </span></p>
<p><span>However, affordability improved across the nation overall as red-hot markets in Sydney and Melbourne cool. </span></p>
<p><span><span>“While the dream of home ownership remains a challenge on the East Coast, it’s very much alive and well in WA, as our rents and home values are the most affordable of all the states,” Mr Collins said. </span></span></p>
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Western Australia retains top spot as most affordable state; REIWA

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<p><span>Consumer sentiment is a big driver in Western Australia's property market and due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, at the time of writing, consumer sentiment is fragile to say the least, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </span></p>
<p><span>The current COVID-19 pandemic is going to have a negative impact on key drivers, so it will be interesting to see what impact this may have on the property market in the short to medium term, the valuation firm said.</span></p>
<p><span> The report suggests there are many other key local, national and global drivers that influence the property market and these economic drivers are in a constant game of tug-o-war, continuously shifting along a scale between supply and demand - the result of which creates price movement within the property market. </span></p>
<p><span>"In Western Australia, our economy is most heavily influenced by the mineral and gas resources industry. The resources boom has been mentioned in almost every Western Australia segment of the Month in Review in recent years as it has impacted the state so significantly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>Mining projects throughout the state create thousands of jobs through construction work, maintenance, cleaning, machine operation, management etc. These jobs bring in hundreds and sometimes thousands of interstate and overseas workers in what can be relatively short periods of time, due to the enticing remuneration packages offered by large companies that compete for a limited workforce. </span></p>
<p><span>Conversely, when projects </span>come to completion, net migration can turn negative rapidly. The fluctuation of job vacancies and unemployment plays a large role in Perth’s property market as it influences our overall population in significant waves.</p>
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<p><span>"Net state and overseas migration statistics are directly linked to median house price and rental trends. We observe the nearly direct relationship of net migration and median house price growth, the effects of which have an approximate one-year delay," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
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<p><span>Not only does resource sector employment influence migration, it also plainly affects total unemployment. Net migration partially determines the number of people moving into Western </span>Australia to soak up housing stock and unemployment shapes how many residents are in a suitable financial position to make purchases within the property market.</p>
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<p><span>"As we touched on in our September 2019 edition, increased resource investment in 2006 influenced the mining sector across the whole state," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>Mineral exports were ramping up as the amount of iron ore Western Australia was capable of exporting quadrupled in value from 2006 to the peak in 2012. This enabled businesses across Perth and regional Western Australia to find space for a number of new job vacancies and in 2006 we saw 31,000 migrants flock to the state, including both net interstate (3,100 persons) and overseas migration (28,070 persons). It didn’t stop there though. </span></p>
<p><span>Migration figures increased again, then had a lull and eventually peaked in 2012 when we saw a total of 58,600 people travel to Western Australia to get their share of the revenue from the resources boom.</span></p>
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<p><span>As mining investment declined, so did the availability of jobs. Some mining construction projects came to completion and this began the increase in unemployment rates. </span>The construction phase had ended, temporary contracts did not get extended and we started to see a significant level of redundancies.</p>
<p>Suddenly businesses were consolidating their workspaces as they employed less and less people. Many office buildings, apartments and land developments were under construction and now coming to completion, however there were no tenants or home buyers to lease or purchase these spaces, the report noted. </p>
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<p><span>The CBD office vacancy rate skyrocketed to over 20 percent and supply severely overshadowed demand, reversing the economic cycle. From here consumer sentiment began to slip and less access to finance stopped any interest from investors and owner-occupiers. Residential rents, office rents and house prices started their slow descent to their current position. </span></p>
<p><span>Net interstate migration has been in the negative since 2014. In 2017, 14,000 people left Western Australia for other Australian states, however since then, both interstate and overseas migration has improved slightly.</span></p>
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<p><span>The trends mentioned above are demonstrated in Figure 3. BHP recruited over 10,000 new employees and contractors between 2008 and past the peak in 2012 as the construction phase progressed to operational. </span></p>
<p><span>When many construction projects came to completion, there was a significant shedding of employment forces. Figure 3 does </span>show that BHP has been ramping up Australian recruitment again in recent years, which aligns with the commencement of its South Flank iron ore development in 2019, and other companies are doing the same.</p>
<p>"The data is not as transparent as it once was, due to the level of employment via third party contractors, hence the clarity of the current situation is difficult to demonstrate," the valuation firm said. </p>
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<p><span>Recent investment into Western Australia’s natural resources has come as positive news for our property market and economy as a whole. </span></p>
<p><span>There are several projects already underway or awaiting commencement in Western Australia and iron ore is dominating the mining sector with an estimated $17 billion worth of projects that will or are generating around 11,000 construction jobs over the next few years, some of which started back in 2018. </span></p>
<p><span>These projects will also employ an approximate 3,000 continuing operational jobs. Many experts have suggested that this will create a mini-boom such as the one seen in the early 2010s, however on much smaller scale.</span></p>
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<p><span>Net interstate and overseas migration has reverted to positive figures again and this has helped to stabilise property values in the Perth metropolitan region.</span></p>
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<p><span>"So how is Perth faring at the moment? Greater Perth’s median house price settled at $478,000 for the December 2019 quarter, falling by 1.2 percent," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span> Negative house price growth has been easing off for some time now, however the disparity between Perth’s inner and outer suburbs has caused some confusion for homeowners on where we currently sit. A very positive sign for Western Australia is the rebounding of vacant land prices. </span></p>
<p><span>Between the March and December 2019 quarters the median price of vacant land saw three consecutive increases, rising 3.4 per cent from $236,000 to $244,000. Perth hasn’t seen an increase in median vacant land prices since mid 2017 and that only lasted for one quarter.</span></p>
<p><span>Perth’s apartment sector over the past 20 years has been very cyclical, but is maturing rapidly. From 2012 to 2015, Western Australia saw a boom of apartment construction, fuelled by the resource sector</span>.</p>
<p>During this time, demand was high and developers of all kinds jumped in to fill the void with mainly investor grade products and several prestige developments that commanded high values as the market matured. Unfortunately the timing of completion of these was poor and on the downward part of the cycle.</p>
<p>Today Perth’s apartment market is still reeling from a large oversupply in some areas and it does not appear that this supply line will be going away any time soon, with an estimated 1600 new apartments completed in 2019, as well as 800 more anticipated by the end of 2020.</p>
<p>Beyond then, 3,100 apartments are expected to reach completion in 2021 and 2022 (JLL, 2020). This coupled with the 2,400 units currently on the market could mean further price corrections in this segment which is exacerbated by current state government policy directing demand to new supply.</p>
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<p><span>First home buyer locations such as Baldivis, Byford, Ellenbrook and Alkimos have all experienced continued value decreases over the past few years, the report noted. </span></p>
<p><span> Vast land development alongside Perth’s suppressed population growth has spelt disaster for this market segment. Advice from our valuers suggest that there has been little improvement </span>in these areas recently and we don’t hold much hope for the short term either. We do expect to see diminishing rates of negative growth over the medium term as long as economic conditions improve, however recent events have now cast doubt on this.</p>
<p><span>Moving closer to Perth, upgrader locations are faring slightly better than their outer rim counterparts. There has been a mix of value increases and decreases amongst various suburbs, however some recent positive signs include improving selling periods and declining vendor discounting. This can mostly be attributed to home owners heeding advice from their agents and pricing homes correctly from the get-go. </span></p>
<p>Kingsley is a suburb located 16 kilometres north- west of the CBD and is considered an upgrader location. The median house price in Kingsley decreased 0.3 percent during the December 2019 quarter, settling at $543,250. Negative house price growth has diminished over the past four years and hopefully we will see values increasein the medium term.</p>
<p>A four bedroom house in Kingsley is currently on the market with a price guide of over $579,000.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-kingsley-133547830" target="_blank">7 Chauncey Court </a>home (pictured below) comes with large family living, two bathrooms, home office, updated kitchen and double carport. </p>
<p>It is situated close to shops and schools. </p>
<p><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/2020/5/25/kingsley.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Previous news of positive economic conditions has been a big driver for sales in established suburbs as owners take up the opportunity to upgrade before prices increase.</p>
<p><span>In the south-west part of the state, the recent uptick in activity in the resources sector has seen </span>the number of fly-in-fly-out workers begin to increase for the first time since the winding up of the mining construction boom. While the numbers are a far cry from the previous peak they are definitely improving.</p>
<p>There has been significant investment in the growth of the Talison lithium mine in Greenbushes (north of Bridgetown) as well as the associated infrastructure in the past few years.</p>
<p>On top of this there is a $1 billion lithium processing plant under construction in Kemerton (north of Bunbury). This was expected to bring a large number of workers to these regions however the reduction in the price of lithium has slowed these projects down.</p>
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<p><span>The south-west region relies a lot on local and international tourism. There is much anticipation for the start of the interstate direct flight from Melbourne to Busselton which started in March. </span>The timing, however could have been better as the slow down caused by the reaction to the spread of COVID-19 is likely to limit the number of travellers and tourists visiting the region at a time when it was hopeful there would be a significant increase in this sector.</p>
<p><span>There are a number of large residential subdivisions on the outskirts of Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River which hold a large number of affordable properties.</span></p>
<p><span>A three bedroom unit in Bunbary was sold for $215,000 in April.</span></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-wa-bunbury-133296874" target="_blank">10/180 Forrest Avenue</a> (pictured below) unit comes with open plan kitchen, meals and family room, outdoor patio area and double garage plus storeroom.</p>
<p>It is situates closed to shopping centres, schools and parks. </p>
<p><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/2020/5/25/bunbury.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>The report notes first home buyer activity has been on the increase in these areas however this is also likely to stall due to the uncertainty over the outcome of the effects of COVID-19. It is anticipated that new building construction is also likely to stall as a result of this.</span></p>
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<p><span>The residential market in Cowaramup has outperformed most other towns in the region. As the number and quality of houses in the suburb increases and the town becomes more established, demand has also increased. Land sales were at their lowest level in ten years in 2019 which is an indication of the low levels of residential land now available in Cowaramup. With good demand and low supply of land, values are expected to increase in the short to medium term.</span></p>
<p><span>Kalgoorlie is the major city within the eastern goldfields region – located some 600 kilometres east of Perth. Known for its gold mines, there have been many excavation projects of all sizes here. KCGM Super Pit produces up to 800,000 ounces of gold annually. The Kalgoorlie-Boulder area has a median house price of $290,000, falling three percent over the December 2019 quarter, however the region has seen some positive signs of late as Piccadilly, South Kalgoorlie, Kalgoorlie and West Lamington experienced quartlerly increases between 0.2 percent and 14.8 percent.</span></p>
<p><span>Hannans, Kalgoorlie and West Lamington also showed annual improvements between 0.8 and 4.2 percent. The price of gold has a direct impact on this town’s prospects as many of the workers live in the region.</span></p>
<p>The report notes gold has been a relatively stable long-term investment over the past 20 years. The recent COVID-19 outbreak could potentially see gold prices increasing further due to investors selling stocks and moving to a safer venture in gold. Conversely, prices could also drop in the short term due to a lack of demand from Chinese manufacturers and jewellers.</p>
<p>In 2019, China held the largest portion of demand in the world for gold at 33 percent, so it will be interesting to see which direction the market shifts towards.</p>
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<p><span>"COVID-19 will no doubt have significant negative economic outcomes. Historically in times of uncertainty investors look to consolidate their capital instead of growing it through new ventures, and this will certainly slow the market down further. </span></p>
<p><span>"Government subsidies and cash rate cuts may come in hopes of stimulating the economy, although it will be hard to curb consumer sentiment when we are faced with a global pandemic.</span></p>
<p><span>"It’s not all bad news though - investors and residents with secure jobs may be able to find great value in the property market over the coming year," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
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<div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Note regards COVID-19 </em></span></div>
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<span><em>This edition of Month In Review had its topic defined in late February with submissions from our offices collated through to late March. During this period, shifts in the social and economic landscape due to COVID-19 became increasingly dramatic, as demonstrated by the varied information provided by offices over the course of three weeks.</em></span><em><br></em>
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<div><span><em>This month’s residential theme on baseline property market drivers remains a common thread, and provides an indication of what influences to monitor as the property sector recovers post-crisis.</em></span></div>
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How will COVID-19 pandemic impact Western Australia property market: HTW residential

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<p>Up to 10 people at a time will be allowed to attend open homes in Western Australia after the state government eased coronavirus restrictions.</p>
<p>Real estate agents across the state have only been able to show one person through a property at a time in the four weeks since the state government imposed a two-person only restriction on March 30.</p>
<p>These stage 3 restrictions will be eased on Monday in WA, Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Roger Cook announced on Sunday.</p>
<p>Real Estate Institute of Australia president Adrian Kelly said, “We would obviously like to see that extended throughout the other states, but at the same time that needs to be done very slow and steady because the last thing we need in Australia is a second wave of the virus to occur … we’ve all worked hard to get this far."</p>
<p>Under the changes, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed at weddings, funerals, outdoor personal training, open homes and display village inspections.</p>
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Restriction eased on open home inspections in Western Australia

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<p>Frasers Property Australia has appointed Tod O’Dwyer as its new General Manager WA Residential.</p>
<p>Mr O’Dwyer has more than 30 years of experience in the residential development sector, focused primarily on the development of masterplanned communities.</p>
<p>Prior to joining Frasers Property a decade ago, he worked with Delfin Lend Lease for 17 years in Queensland and Victoria.</p>
<p>He has relocated to Perth from Melbourne, where he has held the role of General Manager - Development and Design for the past nine years.</p>
<p>Cameron Leggatt, Executive General Manager Residential, Frasers Property Australia says Mr O’Dwyer is one of the company’s most experienced executives with a passion for delivering strong, vibrant communities.</p>
<p>“Frasers Property has operated in Western Australian for more than 50 years. Tod’s move to Perth is a reinforcement of our commitment to Western Australia and our confidence in that market,” says Mr Leggatt.</p>
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Frasers Property Australia appoints new General Manager for WA Residential

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<p>Medina, Armadale and Parmelia are among the top 10 Perth suburbs for investors to keep an eye out for in 2020, according to the latest reiwa.com data.</p>
<p>REIWA President Damian Collins said with the Perth property market starting to show signs of improvement, there are some great opportunities out there for investors.</p>
<p>“Our analysis showed there are a number of suburbs that have high rental returns for investors and the properties are leasing at faster than the average time. With interest rates at record lows, many of these properties are likely to be positively geared,” Mr Collins said.</p>
<p>“There are a lot of contributing factors that make a good investment property, however suburbs that have a high rental yield, such as Medina which had a 7.5 per cent rental yield, and lower than average days to lease, are ones to consider."</p>
<p>“In the 12 months to December 2019, it took approximately 17 days for a property to lease in Medina, which is well below the Perth average of 28 days, and demonstrates the suburb is in high demand by tenant,” Mr Collins said.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/2/24/WA%20leasing%20data.JPG" alt=""></p>
<p>Of these top suburbs, eight of them are located south of the river, with Armadale and Parmelia following close behind Medina.</p>
<p>It took 14 days on average to lease a property in Parmelia, which had a rental yield of 5.6 per cent. Armadale had a higher yield at 6.2 per cent, however it took 27 days on average to lease.</p>
<p>Rounding out the top five is Seville Grove and Port Kennedy which both had a rental yield of 5.6 per cent.</p>
<p>Mr Collins said, "while the suburbs in this top 10 list are not rated by their lifestyle, popularity or future growth, they have faster leasing times and high rental yield which is important to investors."</p>
<p>“With Perth currently the most affordable capital city in Australia and the vacancy rate at a low of 2.3 per cent, now is the ideal opportunity for investors to get back into the Perth property market,” he concluded.</p>
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Top suburbs for WA property investors revealed: REIWA

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<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>With economic activity in Western Australia well below its 10-year average and effective unemployment significantly above the 10-year benchmark, the property market, particularly units, continues to experience weakness.</p>
<p>However, according to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, buyer confidence is on the increase in the state, particularly Perth with housing finance increasing 15.1 per cent since February 2019 after a reduction of 2.4 per cent relative to August 2018.</p>
<p>With low economic activity and high unemployment, Western Australia’s annual population growth of 1 per cent was the third lowest in the country.</p>
<p>As a result, the housing market, particularly units, has experienced continued weakness in recent years. According to CoreLogic, house and unit prices in Perth have declined by 8.6 per cent and 9 per cent in the past year, respectively.</p>
<p>Western Australia is still in a long transition process from a mining-oriented economy and while unemployment has slightly improved from 6.1 per cent in April to 5.7 per cent in October, it is still projected to deliver low economic growth, a soft job market and low population growth.</p>
<p>Mortgage arrears are at an alarming level with the delinquency rate sitting at 2.75 per cent. While this has improved from 3.05 per cent as reported in August, this number has grown over the course of several years and is now well above the Australian average. The relatively high unemployment rate also increases the risk of credit defaults.</p>
<p>Negative equity also remains a major risk especially for lenders who have a concentration of loans in this market. These risks are compounded by this high rate of arrears. High-risk borrowers, combined with properties that suffer from low demand, require special attention in relation to credit provisioning.</p>
<p>While Perth was ‘very affordable’, there were a small number of suburbs where houses delivered reasonable capital growth in recent years. However, these were exceptions only.</p>
<p>Despite lower interest rates (with another expected in the new year) and some loosening of credit restrictions, houses still carried a medium level of risk due to Western Australia’s economic conditions.</p>
<p>House prices have declined by 9 per cent in the past year and in Perth, house and unit prices declined by 8.6 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.</p>
<p>Low-performing areas for houses in the past year include Perth - North East (with -8.8 per cent capital growth), Perth – Inner (-8.4 per cent) and Perth - South West (-7.3 per cent).</p>
<p>However, the risks associated with units is even higher as they are expected to deliver poor or negative capital growth due to the combination of oversupply, lending restrictions and low demand as they are generally not attractive to families or owner-occupiers.</p>
<p>Also, units in some suburbs are subject to voluntary lending restrictions by the major lenders, such as lower loan-to-value ratio (i.e. higher deposit). In addition, the state government tax on overseas investors further decreases the demand for new units as investment properties.</p>
<p>Perth – South East has the highest rate of unit oversupply in the state with 1900 units in the pipeline (a 6.7 per cent increase to the current stock).</p>
<p>The issues with construction defects in NSW and Victoria and the publicity they have received in the media mean this situation is unlikely to materially improve in the short term.</p>
<p>While there have been no major construction defects reported in relation to high-rise buildings in Perth, the events in Sydney and Melbourne increase the risk of reputational damage and, consequently, lower demand for both existing and off-the-plan high-rise units.</p>
<p><em><strong>DORON PELEG </strong>is the CEO of RiskWise</em></p>
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WA property market remains in the doldrums: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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<p>The past year has been a relatively quiet one for high priced properties in a region that has its fair share of prestige properties given the extensive coastlines and magnificent ocean views, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </p>
<p>The report notes the region in the past five years regularly achieved residential sales upwards of $3 million, however 2019 has been a quiet one.</p>
<p>"It’s probably a good indicator of the subdued state of the top end of the market that there have been so few sales," the valuation firm said. </p>
<p>A couple of sales which were notable in the past 12 months are:</p>
<p>The report at 2/28 Ella Gladstone Drive, Eagle Bay (pictured below) was sold for $2.8 million in June. </p>
<p><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/2019/11/27/28%20ella%20galdstone%20drive.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>This is a circa 2011, two storey, four bedroom, two bathroom, architect designed dwelling which has been finished to a very high standard and includes quality fitout and a below ground pool.</p>
<p>The property is located at the end of a cul-de-sac on a 916 square metre elevated site and has very good ocean views.</p>
<p>"Eagle Bay is a salubrious locality and comprises many high quality homes many of which have views of the ocean and bay. This property ticks all the right boxes," the valuation firm commented. </p>
<p>The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-naturaliste-130138482" target="_blank">15 Duckworth Place, Naturaliste </a>(pictured below) was sold for $2.3 million in January. </p>
<p><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/2019/11/27/15%20duckworth%20place.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>This property comprises a circa 2000, single level, four bedroom, two bathroom, architect designed dwelling with rammed earth and timber walls.</p>
<p>The property has many features including a 14 metre high ceiling and has been finished to a very high standard with a top quality fitout.</p>
<p>It is located on Mount Duckworth which is situated between Dunsborough and Yallingup on a moderately sloping elevated rural residential lot which has a land area of 4.3 hectares.</p>
<p>The elevated location of the house gives it excellent panoramic views of the coastal plain and distant ocean views of Geographe Bay.</p>
<p><strong>Listings</strong></p>
<p>In terms of listings, it would be hard to go past the property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-eagle+bay-132010658" target="_blank">7 Picquet Close, Eagle Bay</a> (pictured below).</p>
<p><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/2019/11/27/7%20picquet%20close.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>It is a 2003 built two-storey limestone dwelling with three bedrooms and two bathrooms and is situated on a 2,243 square metre elevated site and has absolute beach front to Eagle Bay.</p>
<p>"The very private house has been finished to a high standard however it is the fact that is has ocean views from almost every window and that you could stand on the back deck and almost reach out and touch the whales as they pass by that makes this property stand out.</p>
<p>"Be prepared to put your hand in your pocket though - it doesn’t currently have an asking price and is asking for offers," the valuation firm said.</p>
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A quiet year for South West WA prestige market: HTW residential 

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<p><span>The residential property market in general in the South West of Western Australia does not, as a rule, take yields into consideration, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </span></p>
<p><span>The valuation firm took a look at rental yields across the nation. </span></p>
<p><span>"Yes, investors want good returns adequate to cover the annual costs and help pay off the mortgage but it is capital growth that underpins most of the investor market in the South West," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>"If you are after return on investment in the residential market, then the short stay accommodation market may be your thing. </span></p>
<p><span>"However these also have their issues. High strata levies and expensive management and cleaning fees eat into an income which is very seasonally dependent," the valuation firm added. </span></p>
<p><span>The report notes on top of this in general there has been very little capital growth in the short stay market.</span></p>
<p><span>The Airbnb market has increased significantly in the region over past years to such an extent that it has limited the supply of rental properties on the market. </span></p>
<p><span>In some instances, this has placed upward pressure on rental values in peak holiday periods.</span></p>
<p><span>"Properties which have a mix of both short stay and permanent use become more attractive, particularly if they are well located and with good views." the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>These properties can benefit from high returns in the holiday seasons and modest returns </span>in the off seasons. They are also more likely to benefit from capital growth.</p>
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<p><span>There has been an increase in demand for properties which have the potential for a little income on the side, such as properties with granny flats or a second dwelling which can be rented<br>out on either a short stay or permanent basis.<br></span></p>
<p><span>The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River now permits granny flats and second dwellings to be leased on a permanent and short term basis which increases the options available for extra income. </span></p>
<p><span>Agents have indicated that this sector of the market is on the rise. It is also having an influence on the design of new homes so as to allow for Airbnb style accommodation.</span></p>
<p><span>"Rental income be it short stay or permanent is important to cover costs but capital growth is still king." </span></p>
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