AIFLAM

Around this time two years ago we posted an article "What’s in store for 2024" where we tried to look through the hour glass into the year ahead, so it’s time to have another go!

Australia has always been a beautiful but unforgiving place. The last few years have proven that more than ever, bushfires tearing through regional communities, flash flooding across the east coast, and severe weather events becoming not the exception, but the expectation. For property owners and strata managers, these events haven’t just been a reminder of nature’s extremes, they’ve underscored the critical importance of having the right insurance in place, backed by accurate, proactive risk management. And at the centre of that conversation is the Reinstatement Cost Assessment.

As we approach the end of a very big year, the term “wind down” feels far from reality. Right now, we’re navigating a mountain of urgent valuations as clients strive to finalise property settlements before Christmas, for a fresh 2026 looking forward and not back. One question I’m asked repeatedly is: “How does a valuation for Family Law or Property Settlement purposes differ from one for Mortgage Security?” and why we only allow a small percentage of our more senior and experienced valuers to complete valuations for this purpose.

The development of wind farms and the core driver of renewal energy projects in Western Australia is the retirement of Coal fired power stations in Collie. As part of the state government’s ambitious push for clean energy, hundreds of wind turbines are set to dot the southern WA landscape, marking a significant shift toward sustainability.

Newcastle Awakens. Once considered a quiet contender in the industrial property market, Newcastle is now capturing the attention of investors nationwide. The city’s transformation is being driven by major infrastructure upgrades, a dynamic local economy, and a surge in demand for industrial assets.

A Global Conversation in Delhi. The International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) Annual General Meeting in New Delhi brought together valuation leaders from across the globe, continuing its tradition of attracting participants from over 40 countries. This year’s event focused on strengthening independence, trust, and transparency in a rapidly evolving valuation landscape.

2025 has been a year of significant change for property owners. Here’s a summary of the most important developments and practical tips from across the year.

As we head towards the end of the year, the spring selling season typically accelerates. Families planning to move towns and cities to start 2026 fresh in new jobs with kids in new schools are beginning to feel the pressure, especially in prime areas near quality schools where stock is limited.