Interest rates stay on hold – for now
The new-look RBA Board takes a careful middle road as mortgage holders continue to feel the pinch
2 min
Interest rates will stay on hold this month following a meeting of the RBA Board today.
In a widely anticipated move, the announcement comes despite an uptick in the rate of inflation in August, which saw a rise from 4.9 percent in July to 5.2 percent.
All four of the big banks predicted the official rate to remain steady at 4.1 percent for the October meeting, although NAB has forecast that a further 0.25 percent increase was still an option, possibly next month.
The board meeting was the first with Michele Bullock as governor, following the departure of Dr Philip Lowe last month. Dr Lowe was criticised for telling borrowers back in March 2021 that rates were ‘likely to remain at current levels’ until 2024. However, the RBA began raising the cash rate in May 2022 from 0.1 percent to 4.1 percent over a 12-month period in efforts to curb the rate of inflation.
Inflation peaked over the 12 months to December 2022 at 7.8 percent, well above target levels of between 2-3 percent.
CEO of the Real Estate Institute of NSW, Tim McKibbin, said despite the slight increase in inflation, it was important that rates remained on hold this month as the impact of earlier rate rises continues to play out.
“Until last week’s concerning CPI figures, which show the battle against inflation is far from over, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the new-look RBA Board would leave rates unchanged when it meets tomorrow,” he said.
“REINSW believes it is appropriate for rates to remain steady for at least the short-term.”
CoreLogic Research director Tim Lawless said the rate of rising home values had slowed over the past quarter as cost of living pressures kept a firm grip on household budgets.
He noted that the Board had sought a balance between supply and demand in the economy.
“Clearly inflation remains high on the RBA’s risk radar,” he said. “Higher fuel and energy prices, alongside persistently high services and rental inflation have the potential to trigger another rate hike later this year.
“Logically, the RBA will be waiting to see September quarter inflation data, released the week ahead of the RBA’s November meeting. With this in mind, the November meeting will be closely watched.”
A haven for hedge-fund titans and Hollywood grandees, Greenwich is one of the world’s most expensive residential enclaves, where eye-watering prices meet unapologetic grandeur.
Rugged coastal drives and fireside drams define a slow, indulgent journey through Scotland’s far north.
Mount French Lodge offers a rare mix of privacy, scale and hospitality potential as demand grows for prestige estates beyond beachside hotspots.
2 min
Mount French Lodge, one of the most remarkable private estates in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, has been brought to market, offering a glimpse into the growing appetite for high-end lifestyle properties beyond the state’s traditional beachside enclaves.
Located in the tiny locality of Charlwood, around 100km inland from Brisbane and home to just 146 residents at the 2021 Census, the estate stands in stark contrast to its quiet surroundings. Set across nearly 100 acres and positioned some 600 feet above sea level, the property occupies a commanding vantage point beneath the escarpments of Mount French.
It’s this combination of elevation, scale and seclusion that defines the estate, not just as a private residence, but as an experience-led destination. Mount French Lodge has been recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 Best of Queensland Experiences, reflecting a broader shift towards luxury rural retreats that blur the line between home, hospitality and investment.
Last sold for $3.65 million in 2021 to Brisbane-based entrepreneur Tim Woodhouse, the estate has since evolved into a multifaceted holding. At its core is a central lodge, complemented by guest accommodation, entertaining spaces and resort-style amenities spread across two distinct plateaus.
In total, the property comprises 12 bedrooms configured across eight self-contained apartments within multiple lodges. At its heart is the Great Room, a central gathering space anchored by a large living area and fireplace. Nearby, a fully equipped outdoor pavilion with barbecue facilities sits alongside the estate’s swimming pool.
The property is being marketed as a private compound, ranch, corporate retreat and a wedding venue, highlighting its potential as a lifestyle asset with income-generating capability. This kind of flexibility is increasingly resonating with buyers, particularly as demand grows for properties that can serve as multigenerational homes, wellness retreats or boutique accommodation offerings.
Despite its sense of isolation, Mount French Lodge remains within relatively easy reach of Brisbane, around an hour by road or just minutes by helicopter. That balance of accessibility and privacy underscores the broader appeal of the Scenic Rim, which continues to emerge as a quiet achiever in Queensland’s prestige property market.
The listing is being handled by Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty agents Sandy Davies and Nicholas Miranda, and is expected to attract interest from both domestic and international buyers.
The megamansion was built for Tony Pritzker, heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and brother of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
From gorilla encounters in Uganda to a reimagined Okavango retreat, Abercrombie & Kent elevates its African journeys with two spectacular lodge transformations.
