5 hotspots boosted by infrastructure projects

1. Adelaide, SA

Expansions worth $1 billion to Adelaide airport, $1 billion worth of redevelopment to Adelaide Riverbank, the $2.4 billion spent for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, and a submarine construction worth $39 billion all spell out success for property, which Ms Porter said would outweigh any negative associated with the manufacturing downturn.

From the airport expansion, Ms Porter said passengers and job numbers are expected to more than double, while the Riverbank will upgrade the health and wellbeing, core entertainment and cultural and education precincts, and the submarine contracts are set to create approximately 8,500 new jobs.

“In years gone by, Adelaide has had annual growth rates typically sitting in the low 2-3 per cent range, but with this boost to infrastructure and subsequent job creation starting to filter through, LGAs like West Torrens, the home to suburbs like Plympton just to the south west of the airport and the CBD have seen an average annual growth rate of 8.49 per cent to July 2017 (according to Corelogic),” Ms Porter said.

2. Wollongong Metro, NSW

The Wollongong Metro area is still feeling the effects of a $16.5 million facility at Wollongong University and a $90 million private hospital run by Ramsay Health, as well as the $200 million West Keira development upgrade for a new shopping precinct, all built within the last three years.

“Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA) has experienced an average growth rate of 14.09 per cent for the 12 months to July 2016, and 15.54 per cent to July 2017 (according to Corelogic),” Ms Porter said.

“The market was going through a growth stage of the cycle at this time anyway, but the renewal of infrastructure has seen it achieve even greater growth.

“This is quite contrary to similar satellite cities, and the likes of Newcastle, which had more modest performance across the LGA, 6.67 per cent and 6.25 per cent for the 12 months to July 2016 and 2017 respectively. The lack of major projects and renewal has certainly seen this market underperform in comparison to Wollongong. “

3. Shellharbour, NSW

Shellharbour’s Shell Cove boat harbor, due to be completed this year, is situated at the heart of a $3.7 billion planned community and is attracting Sydneysiders, Ms Porter said, which will contain a golf course, playing fields and wetlands in the next few years.

“Located to the south of Wollongong, Shellharbour has also seen significant upswing in values due to the anticipated marina development that is currently under construction,” she said.

“This new development has seen values in the Shellharbour LGA shoot up 14.5 per cent for the 12 months to July 2017, which is a strong performance for a location that falls outside of a CBD locale.”

4. South East Melbourne, VIC

Even 10 years later, South East Melbourne is still benefiting from the Eastlink Freeway, which opened in 2008. Additionally, the $115 Bayside Rail Project and the $80.9 million Stage 3 development of Frankston Hospital have also contributed to the local economy, funneling back into property.

“South East Melbourne has seen significant infrastructure by way of transport facilities developed benefiting the likes of Dandenong and Frankston,” Ms Porter said

“Upgrade to transport from Melbourne CBD to the area has seen a significant rise in buyers moving from the inner CBD locations to these outer areas.

“These projects have seen Frankston experience 19.5 per cent average growth for the 12 months to July 2017, according to Corelogic, outstripped nearby Port Phillip Council in Melbourne’s inner metro for the same period, at just 11.15 per cent.”

5. Gold Coast, QLD

“The GC, as it’s fondly known by most Australians, has traditionally struggled to keep pace with Brisbane’s growth rates, but infrastructure required for hosting the Commonwealth Games has created a construction boom,” said Ms Porter.

“Almost $1 billion is reportedly being sunk into the local economy for ‘games related’ projects.

“This past 12 months has seen the GC outstrip Brisbane LGA growth by a 1.62 per cent differential to the 12 months to July 2017, at a rate of 7.76 per cent for Gold Coast LGA and 6.14 per cent for Brisbane LGA.”