Urbis Think Tank
Higher density living continues to thrive
Australians are continuing to embrace higher density housing, according to today’s release of the 2011 Census data.
Medium and high density dwellings have increased across Australia by 14.4% – exactly double the 7.2% growth of freestanding dwellings.
Simon Newberry, Director at one of Australia’s leading independent property consultants, Urbis, has been noting the continuing rise in higher density living across the country, and emphasises the substantial variation across the major cities.
He said: “There is a general trend in Australia towards denser living, but this is less noticeable in areas which have a greater land supply. Whilst Melbourne and Perth are moving in the same direction as the rest of Australia, detached dwellings continue to form the vast majority of new additions to housing stock, reflecting the ample land supply in these cities.
“However, while land supply issues are part of the bigger story, differences in planning policy, development economics as well as land supply continue to influence the delivery of medium and high density dwellings.”
Figures from the Census data show that it is Canberra that is leading the way in the field with over 25% increase in high to mid-density housing in the past five years.
| Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA) | Increase in med/hi density dwellings 2006-11 | Increase in freestanding dwellings 2006-11 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 26.7% | 5.6% |
| Greater Brisbane | 20.8% | 9.0% |
| Greater Darwin | 19.6% | 5.9% |
| Greater Perth | 18.4% | 12.3% |
| Greater Sydney | 15.3% | 2.3% |
| Greater Melbourne | 13.2% | 8.9% |
| Greater Hobart | 11.4% | 6.3% |
| Greater Adelaide | 8.7% | 5.3% |
| Australia | 14.4% | 7.2% |
Source: ABS Census 2011, Urbis
Higher density growth has not been limited to high-rise developments, but has been seen in townhouses as well. This has been reflected in a wide variety of suburbs showing strong increases in density from Camden and Ku-ring-gai in Sydney, to North Lakes and Burpengary in Brisbane and Brighton and Bacchus March in Melbourne.
Mr Newberry said: “Throughout the suburbs of Australia, apartments, townhouses, and duplexes have been developed and are now playing a greater role in accommodating the increased population of Australia. While Bacchus Marsh has seen a strong increase in medium density housing, Brighton has seen apartments. By matching the appropriate development to the area, higher densities are proving popular across a wide range of locations.”
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