Total credit provided to the private sector by banks and other lenders rose by 0.3 per cent in December, matching the previous month. Annual growth in housing finance slowed to its slowest pace in at least 35 years.

Developers have called on the state government to create a faster approval process for housing developments in built-up areas following revelations it is creating a similar process for new homes on Sydney's fringe.

Banks are tightening the screws on development sites that have breached borrowing covenants, pushing more into receivership with “at least” $1 billion worth of distressed property currently for sale.

Home prices are expected to fall further during the spring selling season as vendors are forced to cut the asking price while buyers hesitate to step into a falling property market, say experts.

The number of home loans approved in March fell to a 10-year low, dragged down by the Queensland floods and by the November rate hike.

The federal government has unveiled its blueprint for the future of the nation's 18 largest cities with a warning that it's prepared to "intimidate" opponents if necessary.

New home lending deteriorated markedly in the first quarter of 2011, highlighting the urgent requirement for government action, says the Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry.

As Australian consumers struggle to get excited about shopping - given high interest rates and, until this week, the warmer weather - the country has been named as one of the world's most expensive retail destinations.

There might not be as many cranes on Sydney's skyline as there were a few years ago but there has been an increase in the number of applications for redevelopments, many of which also involve significant upgrades for the buildings' Green Star ratings.

Total building approvals were up in March 2011, although the core detached housing segment of the market continued its downhill run, said the Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry.