Docklands takes up slack

Docklands has been the main focus of supply in the Melbourne CBD over the past five years, providing about 750,000 square metres of new and refurbished office space, according to CBRE.

"It is set to dominate again over the next five years, accounting for 61 per cent of gross completions over the period," said CBRE's senior manager, global research and consulting, Luke Nixon, in his Australian CBD Office Market Review for the first quarter of this financial year.

Of important new projects under way or committed, Docklands will host buildings for NAB, Victoria Police, Aurecon, Marsh Mercer and the Australian Taxation Office.

Mr Nixon said in sharp contrast to 2010, when most of these pre-commitments were made, minimal new commitments were made last year. Victoria Police, with 298 Spencer Street in Docklands, was one large tenant to commit to space, as was Westpac, which planned to go to Scots Church at 150 Collins Street.

"Other large tenants currently in the market include Medibank, Esanda, CBA, KPMG and Corrs Chambers Westgarth," he said.

Mr Nixon said the CBD vacancy rate was tipped to rise this year from the January level of 5.3 per cent, with net additions to stock rising to about 84,600 sq m.

The ATO would also release backfill space on to the market at La Trobe Street and Casselden Place, while quite strong net absorption would stop the vacancy rate blowing out.

The vacancy rate would rise again once the new NAB and Marsh Mercer buildings were built, but moderately strong demand would keep it in check. Its lowest point this year would be 6.1 per cent.

Mr Nixon said the poor sentiment in the global economy was stymying action. On the back of this and rising vacancies, rental growth would be moderate over the next few years before picking up in 2014 when vacancies fell again.

"The outlook for property markets remains uncertain as long as the sovereign debt issues in Europe remain," he said. "Fundamentals remain solid, however, and this bodes well for a return to strong growth in property markets once the issues in Europe are solved."

Office sales in the Melbourne CBD last year were about $1.1 billion, accounting for 15 per cent of national office sales. Mr Nixon said buyer interest would continue this year due to the prospect of income growth and a comparatively affordable capital value per square metre compared to other major cities.

The biggest transactions in the second half of last year included 452 Flinders Street to Dexus Property Fund ($201.5 million).