Melbourne developer Spacious Group has completed Voyage Altona, one of the closest new apartment developments to Altona Beach.

Off the plan purchasers have started moving into the 49-apartment project on Pier Street, with the remaining move-in-ready one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $500,000.

Display apartments have now been fitted out, allowing prospective buyers to inspect the completed residences by appointment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=372638]

The completed apartments feature open-plan living and dining areas which extend onto private balconies and terraces, while full-height glazing maximises natural light throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Hybrid timber-look flooring, stone benchtops, Miele appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms and generous storage feature throughout the building which also features landscaped communal areas, expansive shared terraces, lift access and secure on-grade parking.

Drawing inspiration from its bayside setting, Voyage adopts a restrained palette of warm neutral tones and textured finishes. Many of the apartments take advantage of views across Port Phillip Bay, while the indoor-outdoor living spaces have been designed to make the most of the coastal outlook.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=3286]

Voyage was developed to address what Spacious Group identified as an undersupply of higher-quality apartment product in Altona, with a focus on owner-occupiers looking to remain within the bayside community.

"Voyage responds to very strong local buyer demand for quality, owner-occupier-focused product," says Barry Plant Projects Director Jarrod Farey, who has handled sales since the project's launch.

"The project delivers an elevated lifestyle proposition, with its design and quality of finish far exceeding anything previously produced in the area, as well as its proximity to Pier Street Village and the beach."

The majority of purchasers have been local downsizers and owner-occupiers looking to stay within the Altona community but who previously had limited opportunities to buy a brand-new apartment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112195]

Joel Robinson

Spacious Group completes Voyage Altona in Altona's beachside precinct

Homecorp has secured approval for a $360 million apartment development at Budds Beach, paving the way for one of the Gold Coast's most amenity-rich residential projects to launch later this year.

Gold Coast City Council has approved Lýon Residences, a 32-level tower that will deliver 178 two and three-bedroom apartments across a prominent corner site at 8-10 Acacia Avenue and 25-27 Oak Avenue.

The approval comes as developers continue to invest in premium lifestyle-driven apartment projects on the Gold Coast, where owner occupiers are increasingly prioritising amenity as much as apartment size and location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/l-on-residences-25-27-oak-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Lýon Residences</a> has been designed around a resort-style wellness offering, headlined by a Moroccan-inspired spa precinct featuring treatment rooms, a Nordic sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a soaking pool and a residents-only juice bar.

The rooftop will include a heated infinity pool and spa, residents' lounge with private kitchen and bar, gymnasium, yoga and Pilates studio, outdoor entertaining areas and barbecue facilities overlooking the Surfers Paradise skyline.

<img alt="Lyon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d3e29af-8793-486e-a684-52cef862241f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-15%20at%204.32.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ayG2zpLf3SS6Zy8XmKDcQods4kVWb0gm" />

Homecorp Founder and CEO Ron Bakir said Budds Beach provided the ideal location for the company's latest luxury apartment project.

"Budds Beach represents one of the most unique and sought-after pockets of the Gold Coast, and Lýon Residences has been designed to reflect that sense of rarity and refinement," Bakir said.

The project arrives as wellness continues to become a defining feature of new residential developments both in Australia and internationally.

The latest Global Wellness Institute figures show wellness real estate remains the fastest-growing segment of the global wellness economy and is forecast to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030. Australia continues to rank among the world's 15 largest wellness real estate markets, with developers increasingly integrating health, recreation and community facilities into apartment projects.

Queensland is also experiencing strong population growth, with the Gold Coast continuing to outperform many other Australian cities as demand for new housing remains elevated ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bakir said the project had been designed to respond to that shift in buyer expectations.

"Strong population growth and sustained demand across the Gold Coast continue to highlight the need for well-designed new housing supply. Lýon Residences responds directly to this demand while setting a new benchmark for residential living," he said.

Each apartment has been designed to maximise views across the coastline, the Nerang River and the Gold Coast hinterland.

Located just minutes from Surfers Paradise beach and the Broadwater, the development also offers easy access to the light rail network, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.

Early site works are underway, with construction expected to commence later this year.

Homecorp approved for Budds Beach apartment tower, Lýon Residences

New apartment developments with uninterrupted, north-facing views over Perth's Swan River are exceptionally rare.

Recognising just how limited those opportunities are, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth's most respected builder-developers, targeted <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/applecross-wa-6153">Applecross</a>, assembling an unrepeatable 6,342 sqm riverfront site on the corner of Moreau Mews and Canning Beach Road to create one of Perth's only new north-facing apartment developments directly overlooking the Swan River.

Today, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/riviere-residences-applecross-59-canning-beach-road-applecross-wa-6153">Rivière Residences</a> offers buyers a unique opportunity to choose between completed residences ready to move into now and off-the-plan homes in the final stage, Rivière West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3823]

Across the completed East and Central buildings, residents are already enjoying the development's luxury amenity, while two of the precinct's hospitality venues are now open.

The completed component of the development gives buyers the advantage of experiencing the finished product firsthand, including its uninterrupted river views, while still having the opportunity to secure a residence in the final stage.

"People are wowed by the view and the quality of the apartments,"&nbsp;Edge Visionary Living Sales Executive, Holly McSweeney, says.

"They're looking for the convenience of lock-and-leave living, but they're not looking to downsize on quality."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3826]

The rarity of the development hasn't been lost on prospective buyers, McSweeney says.

For McSweeney, it all comes back to a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate.

"Location, location, location," she says. "We are nestled right on the front of the Swan River. You can never get built out, so wherever you are in Rivière Residences, you've got views of the river forever."

The unique waterfront position has resonated particularly strongly with local downsizers. McSweeney says many buyers are long-time Applecross residents looking to transition from large family homes into a luxury apartment without sacrificing space, quality or the lifestyle they've enjoyed for decades.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_FowNW0wu8?si=vb25XFq1wZ-iufAW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A major focus for Edge in recent years has been resident amenity. Across its apartment portfolio, from beachfront developments in Scarborough to luxury towers in South Perth, the developer has increasingly invested in the spaces beyond the apartment itself.

The strategy has largely been shaped by downsizer demand. Many buyers are moving from large family homes with swimming pools and established gardens. While they're looking to leave the maintenance behind, they don't want to compromise on lifestyle.

At Rivière, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hillam-architects">Hillam Architects</a> designed the resident facilities as an extension of each apartment. A 25-metre heated swimming pool takes advantage of the north-facing river outlook, complemented by a large gym, sauna and steam rooms, private dining spaces, residents' lounges, a cinema, games room, and dedicated wine and whisky rooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=372542]

The waterfront location has also proved to be a major drawcard. Residents are within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel, South of Perth Yacht Club, the Heathcote Cultural Precinct and the cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Ardross Street.

Beyond the location and amenity, McSweeney says many buyers take confidence from Edge's fully integrated development model.

Having delivered apartments across Perth for decades, Edge now designs, develops and constructs its projects in-house, giving the company greater control over quality, delivery and the finished product.

"What I love is when people walk through their apartment for the first time and say, 'This is better than what we imagined,'" McSweeney says. "We hear that all the time."

Completed apartments in the East and Central buildings are now available to inspect by appointment, while Rivière West, the final stage of the precinct, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=28384]

North-facing Swan River views drive demand at Rivière Residences in Applecross

Nearly 60 per cent of apartments at McNab Group's $220 million The Tannery development in Brisbane's West End have sold ahead of the project's public launch, including a suburb-record $2.57 million sale for a two-bedroom apartment.

The early sales campaign has secured buyers for 50 of the project's 87 apartments, highlighting continued demand for larger owner-occupier apartments that combine generous floorplans with premium lifestyle amenities in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374768]

McNab Group Executive Chairman Michael McNab said selling more than half the project before launch reflected changing buyer expectations.

"Selling more than half the project before public sales open tells us buyers are actively seeking apartments that offer something genuinely different," McNab said.

"Today's buyers are looking beyond four walls. They want homes that genuinely enhance the way they live, with spaces that support health, connection and everyday wellbeing."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374767]

A key point of difference for the project is the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed Dixon's Tannery building, which will become The Retreat, a residents-only wellness precinct rather than being redeveloped into additional apartments.

The Retreat will feature a sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a commercial-grade gym, Pilates studio, cinema, library, co-working spaces and private dining room. Rooftop amenities will include a swimming pool, landscaped gardens, outdoor entertaining areas and dog-friendly spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374760]

Designed by Cottee Parker Architects with interiors by Tom Mark Henry and landscape architecture by Aspect Studios, The Tannery comprises 87 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 11 levels overlooking the Brisbane River.

Cottee Parker principal Dee Passenger said preserving the original tannery building had been central to the project's design.

"The easy option would have been to maximise the site's development potential with additional apartments. Instead, McNab has chosen to preserve the original tannery as a shared wellness retreat, ensuring this important piece of Brisbane's history remains at the heart of the community."

Passenger said sustainability also played a key role in the design, with materials from the original industrial site salvaged and repurposed throughout the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374761]

Motiv CEO Carly Cottam said buyers had responded strongly to the combination of larger apartments, wellness facilities and the West End lifestyle.

"We are seeing more buyers looking for homes in the sky that provide the space and functionality of a traditional home, while benefiting from the convenience and lifestyle that apartment living brings," Cottam said.

She said purchasers included both owner occupiers and investors, with demand coming from local buyers as well as interstate purchasers.

Coinciding with the public launch, McNab also announced a partnership with Queensland Ballet, whose neighbouring Thomas Dixon Centre shares historical ties with the original Dixon family.

Located on a 4,465 sqm site at 439 Montague Road, The Tannery overlooks the Brisbane River and is around 10 minutes from the CBD.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in the second half of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143337]

More than half of residences sold before public sales as McNab announces significant partnership with Queensland Ballet

McNab's The Tannery nears 60 per cent sold before public release, sets two-bedroom West End record

Iwan Sunito's vision for a landmark mixed-use precinct in Sydney's Inner West has taken a major step forward, with approval granted for the $1.9 billion Five Dock development first unveiled earlier this year.

The approved scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/one-global-capital">One Global Capital</a> will deliver an 80,500 sqm mixed-use precinct comprising 840 apartments, integrated hotel accommodation, commercial and retail space, alongside publicly accessible open space designed to create a new destination for the growing suburb.

"This is a significant milestone for One Global Capital and for the future of housing delivery in Sydney," Sunito said.

"The Housing Delivery Authority was established to identify major housing projects capable of delivering meaningful supply more efficiently, and we are delighted that Spencer Street has been recognised as one of those projects.”

He said the declaration reflected the rapid progress achieved since acquiring control of the site.

"In less than seven months we have progressed from taking control of the site to securing entry into one of the NSW Government's most important planning pathways. It reflects the experience of our team, the strength of our consultant group led by Urbis, and our long-term commitment to delivering transformational projects that contribute to Sydney's future."

When the project was revealed earlier this year, Sunito described the opportunity as one of the strongest development sites he had worked on.

"I probably hadn't appreciated the uniqueness of the site until more recently when putting together the concept plans," Sunito said.

"The proximity to the water, and the golf course opposite, is unlike any other part of Parramatta Road. We have a unique position and view corridors over the water that makes this one of the best sites I've worked on."

The development has evolved since its initial announcement, with the approved plans increasing the residential component from the originally proposed 750 apartments to 840 homes while retaining the project's focus on creating an integrated neighbourhood rather than a standalone residential development.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/a-city-within-a-city-iwan-sunito-flags-1-5-billion-mixed-use-precinct-in-five-dock">"A city within a city": Iwan Sunito flags $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct in Five Dock</a>

The precinct will combine apartments with hotel accommodation, commercial workplaces, retail offerings and public spaces, creating a mixed-use environment intended to serve both residents and the broader Five Dock community. The proposal also continues the collaboration between One Global Capital and internationally recognised architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>, whose previous work with Sunito includes Infinity, Arc and Skye North Sydney.

Takada previously said the design was driven by a philosophy of integrating nature into the built environment.

"The concept for this development is born from our design approach to naturalising architecture," Takada said.

"The public realm benefits from biophilic design that integrates generous landscaping, and the development is optimised for natural daylight, airflow and water views to foster wellbeing, sustainability and spaces that foster community interaction."

Sunito has consistently described the project as a "city within a city", with a strong emphasis on creating a destination that extends beyond housing.

"We want to create a development that's not only to be seen, but to be experienced by the whole local community," he said.

The approval comes as Five Dock continues its transformation ahead of the opening of the Sydney Metro West line, with the new Five Dock station set to significantly improve connections between the Inner West, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.&nbsp;

The precinct will also benefit from its proximity to the Parramatta Road corridor, nearby waterfront parklands and established retail and dining offerings that have made Five Dock one of Sydney's most tightly held Inner West suburbs.

Iwan Sunito secures approval for $1.9 billion Five Dock mixed-use precinct

Westpac

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Burgess Rawson have successfully auctioned off the Kempsey Westpac.
Located at 4-6 Smith Street, the building sold for $1.11 million.
It is currently leased to Westpac until 2022 with options to 2032.
Net income on the property is $80,027 per annum, plus GST.
Set on a 510 square metre holding, the two story building is situated near both a Coles shopping centre and a post office.
The property last sold in 2001 for $330,000, a reduction on its previous sale price of $502,250 in 1989.
It was last marketed unsuccessfully in 2015 and spent two thirds of a year on the market.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Kempsey Westpac building sold for $1.11 million

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Fintech's ongoing transformation of global finance is well understood but equally important is an honest reckoning of how to utilise its disruptive nature to create a more socially responsible industry in coming years.
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The ubiquity of the term ‘fintech,’ a composite of finance and technology, shows how the lines between the two sectors have blurred. While this symbiosis offers great promise for the future, it has also caused some existential concerns among finance practitioners arguing for the importance of the human touch in a field that in many respects remains a great unknown.
That was the conclusion of a lively panel discussion titled ‘Beyond Fintech: The Future of the Finance Industry’ at the Milken Institute’s Women Leaders Summit in Singapore.
An audience poll at the event found that most of those present believed technology would make nearly a third of all jobs in the banking sector redundant. With Wall Street increasingly under pressure to adopt machine learning and companies like Google <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/05/googles-launchpad-studio-accelerator-welcomes-a-cohort-of-blockchain-and-finance-startups/?ref=gazelle.popsugar.com" target="_blank">working with</a> startups to disrupt financial markets, those fears are understandable.
“There has been a lot of talk about the progress we have made in technology. But, what we haven’t spent enough time thinking about is whether we have the ability to harness the power of technology.
Becoming inseparable
Addressing the debate around the disruptive and double-edged nature of technology, the panelists agreed that instead of worrying about fintechs taking over the traditional banking landscape, it’s best to view the next decade as an era of cooperation that will present significant opportunities.
"The future is, I think, going to be the human and the machine working together to create value in the world,” said Teresa C. Barger, Co-Founder and CEO, Cartica Management, LLC. In the asset management industry, machines driven by artificial intelligence (AI) will take over short-term trading functions, she predicted.
It’s important to understand how technology is changing the landscape for clients and the entire supply chain, and adapt one’s internal processes and capabilities accordingly, suggested Lisa Robins, Global Head of Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered. And, to do that, “we need a very different type of creativity, a very different way of thinking, and a lot of curiosity,” she said.
Banks are already acting accordingly. Citibank spends about a fifth of its costs on technology as the bank invests in innovation to disrupt its business model from within, noted panel moderator Julia Raskin, Managing Director, APAC Head Investor Sales &amp; Relationship Management, Citi Markets and Securities Services.
“We work with platforms and we also become a platform,” observed Robins. “It’s not black and white anymore. Now, it’s a bit more complicated, and more exciting too.”
Enabling emerging markets
The impact of technology on the financial services sector is nowhere more apparent than in emerging markets, as innovation rushes to fill the gaps left by the region’s nascent financial institutions. Across Asia Pacific, the panel observed, institutions are joining forces with fintech firms to develop a range of products and solutions.
Standard Chartered, for example, is <a href="https://av.sc.com/hk/content/docs/hk-stanchart-appointed-ant-financial-for-new-blockchain-remittance-services-eng-final.pdf" target="_blank">working with</a> Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s fintech arm, to develop a blockchain-based cross-border remittance service, Robins noted, to help Hong Kong’s Filipino expats send money home to their families.
Chinese fintech firm CreditEase uses its own credit assessment system to promote inclusive finance and serve segments of the population largely overlooked by mainstream financial institutions by effectively analysing vast troves of credit data, explained Lin Hou, General Manager, Wealth Management Product, CreditEase.
Westpac meanwhile has just opened regional innovation hub co.lab in Singapore and has tripled its investment in its venture capital arm, which incubates early-stage fintechs. One of the companies Westpac has invested in provides a payment platform that supports government healthcare and motor accident insurance payments in Australia. Westpac has also partnered with another firm that simplifies cash register transactions at restaurants and cafes.
Fear of fintech
For all the potential of fintech, a sobering note was struck while gauging the potential of a global economic crisis triggered by technology-related excesses. Barger noted that there is indeed a very real chance for such an event in the next decade. And, given the volume of money coursing through the global economy, even the impact of a small reversal could be hugely magnified, she warned.
Sanghvi pointed out that technology has enabled the flow of billions of dollars in investments into passive exchange traded funds run by trading algorithms. Sure enough, the rise of high-frequency trading has led to <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611890/the-world-economic-forum-warns-that-ai-may-destabilize-the-financial-system/" target="_blank">‘flash crash’ events</a> that neither emerging nor developed markets may be prepared to deal with.
“I wonder whether we've introduced more systemic risks in our financial markets, and I worry about whether we've done enough to ensure that our financial markets are stable and secure,” she said.
Many emerging economies, especially China, are dominated by retail ‘mom-and-pop’ investors with little or no financial expertise, Barger noted, calling for more regulatory oversight especially in corporate governance of listed firms.
Lin agreed, noting that while the Chinese government is working to put regulatory checks and balances in place, there is an urgent need for more efforts to ensure investor protection.
Growing a social conscience
The finance industry is still viewed with caution by the general public. Whilst regulation has gone some way towards making banks less risky (since 2008, global banks have paid over $300 billion <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/business/global-banks-have-paid-453b-in-fines">in fines</a>) it still has not clearly articulated how the industry is contributing to the economy, the community and the world as a whole. 
The industry needs to develop a social conscience and it is important that the right tone is set at the top and perhaps, even more critical, is how this change is embraced through the organisation, Sanghvi observed.
Apart from making banks safer, regulation can be a good thing for innovation too, Raskin noted.
“A lot of what we've done with data, comes not because we wanted to do it, but because we're being regulated into it. And that's spurring a ton of innovation,” she said.
Overall, considering the risks posed by technological disruption, understanding the human impact can help deal with them effectively and allow businesses to balance commercial imperatives with societal ones, panelists noted.
“I think the one thing I can say for sure is the future of finance is exciting. It's never been more exciting. The next 10 years are going to be very different from the last ten,” Sanghvi concluded.
Sneha Sanghvi is head of financial markets Asia at Westpac.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Beyond fintech - the future of finance 10 years from now

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Consumer sentiment has tracked back to neutral as the earlier tax cut boost wanes and a variety of negatives impact. The housing market correction is in the mix but the detail suggests the impact on sentiment has been small so far.
The Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment has weakened over the last 3 months, falling 4.2% and retracing all of the gains seen through the middle of the year.
At 100.5, the Index is now broadly unchanged on a year ago and only just above the 100 line, indicating a near even mix of optimists and pessimists.
A waning boost from the income tax cuts announced in May, renewed political instability, mortgage rate increases, further declines in house prices, rising petrol prices and unsettled financial market conditions all look to have contributed to the softer reads. Indeed, given the range of negatives, the pull back in sentiment has arguably been mild.
There is some evidence that positives around economic growth, the labour market and more balanced conditions across states have provided some underlying supports.
A key area of interest is the extent to which the house price correction is having spillover effects on the consumer. Assessments of family finances remain a notable weak spot.
Concerns around interest rates and house prices are both apparent – sentiment amongst households with a mortgage falling 6.4% over Sep-Oct.
That said, the more pronounced house price corrections in Sydney and Melbourne do not appear to be weighing more heavily on sentiment in these regions, at least not yet.
<img src="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/image/The_Red_Book/Red_Book_bites/Redbook-bite-20181023-1.jpg" alt=""> 
Matthew Hassan is a Senior Economist for Westpac.
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Matthew_Hassan-HHWHptmrw4

Housing market correction impact on consumer sentiment small so far: Matthew Hassan

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Westpac’s forecast for the September quarter headline CPI is 0.5%qtr which will see the annual pace ease to 2.0%yr from 2.1%yr.
Westpac’s forecast leaves the two quarter annualised pace at 1.6%yr.
The September quarter is a seasonally strong quarter with the ABS projecting a seasonal factor of +0.30ppt. However, this is larger than the average of the June quarter seasonal factor for the previous two years (average 0.27ppt) so there is a risk that this estimate will be revised downward.
Core inflation is forecast to print 0.3%qtr (0.31% at two decimal places) seeing the annual pace ease to 1.8%yr from 1.9%yr. The trimmed mean AND weighted median are both forecast to rise 0.31%.
The two quarter annualised pace of core inflation eases back to 1.5%yr from 2.0%yr putting inflation momentum below the RBA’s target band.
We have lifted our Q3 forecast (it was 0.3%qtr) due to rising petrol prices (impact is set to be even larger in the December quarter) plus the impact of drought on fresh fruit, lamb and cereal product prices (beef prices have been falling as cattle have been sold).
We have also made a small allowance for the introduction of GST on imported goods worth less than $1,000.
The big unknown this quarter is the impact of changes to childcare rebates. Back in 2007 and 2008 increases in rebates saw childcare prices fall between 20% and 30% each year.
This time the impact appears to be somewhat less but we have not found a way to confidently estimate it. Our -7% forecast is our “best guess” with the limited information. 
Traded prices are forecast to rise 1.2% in the quarter to be up 1.8%yr, while non-traded prices are forecast to rise 0.1%qtr/2.0%yr due to moderating housing costs moderate and falling childcare.
Core inflation remains below the bottom of the RBA target band due moderating housing costs.
Overlay a competitive deflationary cycle in consumer goods and it makes it hard to see core inflation breaking much higher.
Market forecasters over estimated the quarterly change in the CPI for the last seven quarters by an average of +0.14ppt. Will they do it again making it two consecutive years of overestimating inflation?
Justin Smirk is a Senior Economist for Westpac
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Westpac's Australian Q3 CPI forecast: Justin Smirk

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Westpac has denied an AFR report it is giving risky property investors less than a month to find another lender.
The bank is alleged to be sending a single-page letter to investors warning it can "no longer support our commercial relationship with you."
Victor Kumar, a director of Right Property Group, a buyers' agency, reportedly has seen the letter sent to property investors.
The letter informs borrowers that Westpac is a responsible lender.
Martin North, principal of Digital Finance Analytics, has reportedly been in contact with borrowers who have received the letter.
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Westpac denied the claims. 
Initially Westpac said it was attempting to locate the letter and declined to comment.
"We don't support the claims made regarding the Westpac customer communications," a spokesman later told the AFR.
"Based on the limited information we have been provided, the statements made are incorrect."
As banks are forensically examining their lending books, the Westpac letters are reportedly being sent to interest-only borrowers with multiple properties and high loan-to-value ratios, usually 80 per cent or above.
The investors, who often have up to six properties, have been told they have until October 20 – or less than a month – to find a new lender.
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Westpac denies risky property investors are being given one month to find alternate finance

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Westpac has cut its rates, and promised longer discounts.
The nation's second-largest lender has cut lending rates by up to 110 basis points in an aggressive bid for new borrowers.
Its new loan packages also aim to lock-in new borrowers with lucrative discounts of up to 80 basis points for the life of the loan. A basis point is 0.01 percentage point.
Fairfax Media advised the new Westpac rates will also apply for new lenders for Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and St George Bank.
The offer will replace the existing two-year introductory discounts with a life of loan discount for principal and interest and interest only borrowers. The new flexi first option home loan, with its basic home loan product with a headline rate of 3.98 per cent, will now include a 75 basis point discount for the life of the loan.
The flexi first principal and interest option for investors, which has a headline rate of 4.48 per cent, includes an 80 basis point discount for the life of the loan.
The interest only version has a headline rate of 5.08 per cent and a 71 basis point life of loan discount.
The offer excludes owner occupied loans with interest only repayments or to switches within the Westpac Group.
Westpac is set to advise the new first time buyer flexi first option home loan borrowers will receive an 85 basis point discount for the first five years and then roll onto a 75 basis point discount for the life of the loan. The headline rate is 3.88 per cent. First time investors will receive a 110 basis point discount for the first five years and then revert to a 80 per cent discount for the loan's life.
Its headline rate is 4.18 per cent.
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Westpac cuts new loan rates, and promises longer discounts

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Following the strong GDP Report Westpac has lifted its growth forecasts for 2018 and also revised slightly its forecasts for 2019 and 2020.
However, the key themes that growth will slow in 2019 and remain below the 2018 pace in 2020 are intact.
The June quarter GDP report was released this week. Due to upward revisions of around 0.5 percentage points, the Australian economy was revealed to be much stronger than we had been led to believe.
Real GDP expanded by a solid 0.9% in the June quarter and annual growth printed 3.4% – well above potential of around 2.75%. Markets were expecting annual growth of around 2.8% with most of the lift being attributed to revisions of earlier quarters.
These accounts have prompted a review of our growth outlook.
We have lifted our growth forecast for 2018 from 2.7% to 3.3%.
The growth forecast for 2019 has been lifted from 2.5% to 2.7% and the 2020 forecast has increased from 2.8% to 3.0%.
While the levels of the growth forecasts have been lifted, the profile of an economy that will slow into 2019 and lift modestly in 2020 remains.
Furthermore, these growth rates (following 2.4% in 2017) are insufficient to make any meaningful impact on the spare capacity in the economy and therefore our inflation and wages forecasts remain essentially unchanged.]
Bill Evans is the Chief Economist for Westpac
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Westpac still expects a growth slowdown in 2019 despite recent strong GDP report: Bill Evans

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Westpac has admitted breaching its responsible lending obligations when providing home loans and agreed to submit to a $35 million civil penalty to resolve Federal Court proceedings under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth) (the National Credit Act).
A three-week trial for this matter was due to commence in the Federal Court yesterday.
The parties have jointly approached the Federal Court seeking orders that Westpac contravened the responsible lending provisions of the National Credit Act because its automated decision system:
<ul>
<li>did not have regard to consumers’ declared living expenses when assessing their capacity to repay home loans, and instead used a benchmark (the Household Expenditure Measure); and</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>for home loans to owner occupiers with an interest-only period, failed to use the higher repayments at the end of the interest-only period when assessing a consumer’s capacity to repay the loan. For example, for a loan of $500,000 at 5.24% with a term of 30 years and a 10-year interest-only period, the assumed repayment using the incorrect method is $2,758 per month, whereas the actual repayment after the expiry of the interest-only period using the correct method is $3,366 per month.</li>
</ul>
The litigation related to Westpac’s home loan assessment process during the period December 2011 and March 2015, during which approximately 260,000 home loans were approved by Westpac’s automated decision system.
For approximately 50,000 home loans, Westpac received, and did not use, consumers’ actual expense information that was higher than the Household Expenditure Measure.
For approximately 50,000 home loans, Westpac used the incorrect method when assessing a consumer’s capacity to repay a home loan at the end of the interest-only period. Of these approximately 100,000 loans, Westpac should not have automatically approved approximately 10,500 loans.
If approved by the Federal Court, this will represent the largest civil penalty awarded under the National Credit Act.
The new ASIC chair James Shipton said it was "a very positive outcome and sends a strong regulatory message to industry that non-compliance with the responsible lending obligations will not be tolerated. Responsible lending in the home lending market is absolutely vital to consumers, banks and our economy." 
"This outcome is a warning to all lenders that they must comply with the responsible lending obligations. If they do not, ASIC will take action to enforce the law."
 
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Westpac fined $35 million after breaching home loan lending obligations

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<div>Variable rate customers who have their mortgage with Westpac and some of their subsidiaries will be forking out an average of $35 extra per month and $420 per year.
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<div>This is thanks to Westpac hiking rates by 14 basis points.</div>
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<div>The new Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has demanded Westpac justify its out-of-cycle interest rate increase.</div>
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<div><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/30/Westpac%20rates.JPG" alt=""></div>
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RateCity research director Sally Tindall said Westpac had held out longer than the market expected before caving into the pressure to hike rates.</div>
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<div>"Westpac has today decided to use variable rate home loan customers to help ease their cost of funding pressures. Most households will be able to absorb the rate hike, however anyone who overstretched to get in the market will feel burdened by this extra cost," she said
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Now that Westpac has hiked, taking the brunt of the bad PR, it is expected the other three banks will match them.
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<div>“Ironically the banks are desperately seeking out customers to boost their lagging profit margins. They’re doing this by offering rock bottom rates, but only to new customers so if you’ve got a bit of equity in your home, now is a great time to consider refinancing,” she concluded.</div>
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Westpac is the first of the big four banks to hike out-of-cycle

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Wespac Leading Index has posted a solid rebound from last month’s below trend.
Despite this, the Leading Index growth rate has still slowed materially since the start of the year, from +1.31% in February to +0.55% in July.
Over the course of the last six months the Leading Index has only dipped below zero on the one occasion which was last month. That is sending a more positive signal around the growth outlook than we are expecting at Westpac. We are expecting growth over the remainder of 2018 and into 2019 to hold slightly below trend particularly in light of an uncertain outlook for the consumer. Falling property prices; amid a slowdown in jobs growth; fading jobs confidence and high household debt are likely to create headwinds for growth.
Three components account for the bulk of the slowdown in the Leading Index growth rate over the last six months: a turnaround in the Westpac-MI Unemployment Expectations Index (–0.35ppts); reduced support from commodity price gains (–0.28ppts); and a narrowing yield spread that mainly reflects rising short term interest rates (–0.27ppts).
These drags have been partially offset by some lift in aggregate monthly hours worked (+0.22ppts); and dwelling approvals (+0.08ppts) although the momentum in both of these components remains patchy month to month. While the remaining components have seen little change since February, US industrial production has continued to provide steady support.
The Reserve Bank Board next meets on September 4. Earlier in the month the Bank released its latest Statement on Monetary Policy which provided an update of its forecasts. Of most interest was a downward revision to the Bank’s inflation forecast for 2018 from 2.25% to 1.75%. If correct that would mark five consecutive calendar years when headline inflation has printed below the bottom of the Bank’s 2–3% target band.
The Reserve Bank still expects inflation to lift to 2.25% by 2020 and anticipates that the next move in the cash rate will be up. An obvious headwind to the Bank’s plan to move inflation back into the target zone is the impact that five years of underperformance in inflation will have on households’ and firms’ expectations.
The reason why the Bank is reluctant to lower its 2–3% target range is because such a move may have a further dampening impact on inflationary expectations.
Westpac is sceptical that the Bank will be successful in lifting inflation particularly under the weight of low inflationary expectations.
In fact, yesterday Westpac extended its forecasts to now expect the bank to remain on hold in 2020. This complements its existing forecast which has the bank on hold in 2018 and 2019.
Bill Evans is the Chief Economist for Westpac.
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