Category Archives: Housing

Housing lending remains at super high levels

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Gene Tunny

First, my thoughts go out to all those affected by the recent flooding in Queensland and northern NSW. The intensity of the rainfall was extraordinary – in Brisbane, 80% of a full year’s rain in a few days reportedly. While, … Continue reading →

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Young Economists to debate housing affordability measures

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Gene Tunny

There is an interesting upcoming online debate on measures designed to improve housing affordability among young economists on Thursday 16 September 2021, to be hosted by the Young Economists Network of the Economic Society of Australia (ESA). Here’s the blurb:  … Continue reading →

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Housing approvals at record high nationwide, but Qld’s historic high was in mid-1990s

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Soaring property prices and surging building approvals highlight a residential property market super-charged by record-low interest rates, returning expatriates, and a Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). CoreLogic has estimated property prices were up 2.2% nationwide in May and up 2.0% … Continue reading →

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Most houses approved in one month in Qld since time of high interstate migration in 90s

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The Housing Industry Association was quick to proclaim Detached Building Approvals Reach Record High after the ABS published the December building approvals data today. “Detached building approvals” are approvals for houses, as opposed to approvals for apartments or townhouses. Obviously, … Continue reading →

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Line of 200 people for Gaythorne open house evidence of relative lack of suitable properties in Brisbane – partly due to restrictive zoning policies

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Historic low interest rates and easy access to housing finance, combined with a relative lack of suitable properties in Brisbane’s middle-ring suburbs due to zoning policies, have combined to create an odd sight at suburban Gaythorne on Brisbane’s North-side today, … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on Jackie Trad’s interview by Steve Austin on Qld economy

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Gene Tunny

CommSec’s latest State of the States report which was released Monday reported Queensland in fifth position among Australia’s eight states and territories. On Monday afternoon, 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin interviewed Deputy Premier-Treasurer Jackie Trad on the state of the … Continue reading →

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Personal finance with Dr Di Johnson episode of Economics Explained

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Gene Tunny

The latest episode of my Economics Explained podcast explores the very important topic of personal finance. There is growing interest in personal finance, as evidenced by the stellar sales of Scott Pape’s Barefoot Investor book, which gets several mentions in … Continue reading →

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Economics of apartment living podcast discussion with Dr Stephen Thornton

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Gene Tunny

I’ve just published a new Economics Explained episode in which I interview regular QEW contributor Dr Stephen Thornton on the economics of apartment living: Economics Explained episode 2 – Economics of apartment living Issues discussed include: drivers of rising incidence … Continue reading →

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Worried Master Builders Qld calls for new Building the Education Revolution

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Paul Bidwell, Deputy CEO of Master Builders Queensland, has made some extraordinary comments to the Courier-Mail, calling for the federal government to stimulate the construction industry through a new Building the Education Revolution, which was a Rudd Government stimulus measure. … Continue reading →

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BCC should consider economic consequences of townhouse ban

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday, Brisbane City Council closed its consultation process for its proposed ban of townhouses and multi-unit developments in areas zoned low-density residential, such as Chapel Hill and Mount Gravatt (e.g. see map below). The YIMBY QLD group, led by Natalie … Continue reading →

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