Urbis Think Tank
Sea and tree change locations continue strong housing growth
Regional towns and cities have seen major growth in housing according to Census 2011 data released today.
However, the fastest growing areas were not the mining regions – which may come as a surprise to some. Instead, the sea-change and tree-change locations have continued to thrive.
Coastal locations such as Torquay, Portarlington, Busselton, Broome and Merimbula have grown, while inland regions like Kingaroy, Clare, Warwick and Mudgee have also moved ahead.
John Wynne, managing director at one of Australia’s leading independent property consultants, Urbis, explains these results as a reflection of increasing mobility.
He said: “A number of the fast growth areas are within a commuting distance of major centres. If you live in areas like Torquay, Portarlington, Drouin,Busselton or Margaret River you can get to Melbourne or Perth to work if you need to.
“In addition, the growth in FIFO works means that people can choose where to live, and many regional centres offer a lifestyle attraction. For example, in WA we have seen a split between the lifestyle regions of the South West and the emerging northern centres of Port Hedland and Broome.
| Fastest growing Regional urban areas 2006 to 2011 | Percent increase in occupied dwellings from 2006-2011 | Largest growing Regional urban areas 2006 to 2011 | Increase in occupied dwellings from 2006-2011 | ||
| 1 | Torquay (Vic) | 34.5% | 1 | Gold Coast (QLD) | 22,280 |
| 2 | Drouin (Vic) | 32.9% | 2 | Canberra area (ACT) | 13,337 |
| 3 | Kingaroy (Qld) | 30.6% | 3 | Sunshine Coast (QLD) | 13,044 |
| 4 | Latrobe (Vic) | 28.4% | 4 | Lower Hunter (NSW) | 10,738 |
| 5 | Clare (SA) | 28.3% | 5 | Cairns (QLD) | 7,538 |
| 6 | Portarlington (VIC) | 26.4% | 6 | Townsville (QLD) | 7,452 |
| 7 | Capel (WA) | 25.9% | 7 | Hobart (TAS) | 5,431 |
| 8 | Busselton (WA) | 25.9% | 8 | Illawarra (NSW) | 5,253 |
| 9 | Moruya – Tuross Head (NSW) | 25.3% | 9 | Geelong (VIC) | 4,521 |
| 10 | Margaret River (WA) | 24.8% | 10 | Toowoomba (QLD) | 4,304 |
| 11 | Huonville (TAS) | 24.7% | 11 | Ballarat (VIC) | 4,011 |
| 12 | Strathalbyn (SA) | 23.8% | 12 | Darwin (NT) | 3,449 |
| 13 | Yeppoon-Emu Park (QLD) | 23.6% | 13 | Bendigo (VIC) | 3,282 |
| 14 | Broome (WA) | 21.5% | 14 | Hervey Bay (QLD) | 3,217 |
| 15 | Moree (NSW) | 20.8% | 15 | Mackay (QLD) | 3,160 |
| 16 | Mareeba (QLD) | 19.8% | 16 | Tweed Valley (NSW) | 2,513 |
| 17 | Warwick (QLD) | 19.8% | 17 | Bundaberg (QLD) | 2,388 |
| 18 | Mudgee (NSW) | 19.1% | 18 | Albury/Wodonga (NSW) | 2,207 |
| 19 | Port Hedland (WA) | 18.9% | 19 | Geraldton (WA) | 1,877 |
| 20 | Merimbula – Tura Beach (NSW) | 18.8% | 20 | Shepparton (VIC) | 1,757 |
Source: ABS Census 2011, Urbis
Note: Regional Urban areas are 162 customised areas describing regional urban areas outside of the five major capitals with minimum of 1,200 occupied dwellings
Due to its sheer size, the Gold Coast region increased by the largest number of dwellings with over 22,000 added in the last five years. Other Queensland coastal areas also grew such as Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Townsville.
Mr Wynne said: “Queensland has grown extensively, with the Townsville Futures Plan in particular boosting the region. We expect further strong growth under the Newman government.”
One State that didn’t feature strongly was New South Wales, with only one of the fastest 10 growing areas.
“Unfortunately, the economic landscape in NSW has not provided the same foundations to support growth throughout the State. For a major region like Illawarra to grow by just 5,000 dwellings in five years is very modest, and demonstrates the importance of policy. We urge the NSW government to learn from the successes of other States.”
For media inquiries contact:
Ella Riggert, Big Splash Communications
Ph: 07 3395 0772
M: 0411 871 451