Making headlines this week, values and approvals lift; no change to interest rates; and putting the coffee in concrete
Values improved in patches around the country in October, new data shows.
CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index (HVI) recorded a 0.3 per cent rise in October, the 21st month of growth since the cycle commenced in February last year. But the results vary between cities and sectors of the market.
Lower inflation data was not enough to move the Reserve Bank of Australia this week, with the Board once again opting to leave the official cash rate at on hold at 4.35 per cent for its eighth meeting in a row.
Despite inflation falling to its lowest level in almost four years, economists almost unanimously predicted the decision, and now suggest there will be no change until 2025.
Fewer than half of all Australians believe any level of government is adequately supporting recycling improvements, new research from Planet Ark has revealed.
In contrast, three in four people believe they are doing enough to increase recycling rates in their own home, revealing a belief that legislation is necessary for greater improvements in recycling rates around the country.
Building approvals lifted Australia-wide during September, according to data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The new seasonally adjusted figures show that the total number of dwellings approved rose 4.4 per cent in September to 14,842, following a 3.9 per cent fall in August.
Could you spend two minutes this weekend to check in on our local pollinators?
The annual Australian Pollinator Count monitors the status of insect pollinator populations, including more than 2,000 species of native bee, along with thousands of species of fly, butterfly, moth, wasp, beetle and other insects.
Just take two minutes to record the insect pollinators you see and register the results online. For a guide to help with identifying different types of insects found in backyards, community gardens and farms, visit the australianpollinatorweek website.
Used coffee grounds have been laid into a footpath in Melbourne, RMIT University announced this week.
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) and BildGroup have used concrete mixed with biochar made from spent coffee grounds, replacing a portion of the river sand that is normally used.
Australia generates 75 million kilograms of ground coffee waste every year, most going to landfill, but it could now replace up to 655 million kilograms of sand in concrete because it is a denser material. Globally, 10 billion kilograms of spent coffee is generated annually, which could replace up to 90 billion kilograms of sand in concrete.