VICTORIAN CONFIDENCE LAGS THE NATION, WITH MEDIUM-TERM OUTLOOK IMPROVING
The latest ANZ/Property Council of Australia industry confidence survey highlights Victoria is lagging behind the rest of the country with a long way to go on the path to recovery.
Property industry confidence in Victoria is the lowest in the nation at 124 index points for the March 2021 quarter – below the national average of 142 index points. A score of 100 is considered neutral. However, medium-term outlook in Victoria is turning positive, with Victorians optimistic that the COVID-19 situation will improve over the next three months.
While Victorians demonstrated the lowest state growth expectations in the nation, they also reported the highest level of expected growth for Victoria since June 2018. Victorians also reported an improvement in capital growth expectations across all sectors, with the exception of the hotel sector, for the next 12 months.
The Property Council’s Victorian Executive Director, Danni Hunter said that while currently low confidence remained a concern, the positive medium-term outlook was encouraging and should be leveraged by Government and the private sector to stimulate economic recovery.
“Confidence in Victoria is lagging the nation, but it is growing, and we should look to leverage the positive momentum that is just around the corner,” said Ms Hunter.
“Government should partner with the private sector in a concerted effort to encourage workers back into Melbourne’s CBD which will generate growth across the local and state economy, by stimulating consumer activity.
“Every one office worker generates enough activity to support the employment of another five people in our CBDs. Melbourne’s CBD represents 24 per cent of the Victoria’s economy and 7 per cent of Australia’s economy. It is vital for Melbourne to resume to its pre-COVID glory.”
The Property Council has also called on the State Government to work closely with the property and construction industry to increase housing supply and lock in Victorian jobs in the housing and construction sector.
“Nationally, housing supply and affordability were reported as being the number one critical issue for state governments to address. It is vital the Victorian Government works with industry to increase housing supply, maintain downward pressure on affordability and lock in Victorian jobs in the sector,” said Ms Hunter.
|
Index |
Overall Context |
Quarterly Result |
Quarterly Change |
Comment |
|
Confidence Index |
POSITIVE |
UP |
115 to 124 |
An increase of 9 index points over the quarter, lower than the national average of 19. |
|
State Economic Growth |
POSITIVE |
UP |
6.7 to 13.2 |
Lowest growth expectations in the nation currently. Highest level of expected growth for Victoria since June 2018. |
|
State Govt Performance |
NEGATIVE |
DOWN |
11.5 to -0.5 |
Second lowest in the country behind Queensland. |
|
Debt Finance Availability |
POSITIVE |
UP |
5.7 to 8.9 |
The result is in line with the national trend (off by -0.1 of an index point). |
|
House Capital Growth |
POSITIVE |
UP |
10 to 53.6 |
Lowest growth expectation in the nation, but the highest quarterly increased since last quarter. |
|
Forward Work Schedules |
POSITIVE |
UP |
27.5 to 35.2 |
Lowest expectation in the nation. |
|
Staffing Levels |
POSITIVE |
UP |
11.8 to 18.6 |
Lowest expectation in the nation. |
To view select ANZ/Property Council Survey historical data series, visit the Property Council’s Data Room
To find out more about the ANZ/Property Council Survey and our Support Sponsor RCP, visit www.propertycouncil.com.au/confidence
Media contacts: Danni Hunter M: 0400 230 787 E: [email protected] | Eric Allilomou M: 0400 403 730 E: [email protected]