Country and coastal towns feel the pressure as city exodus continues
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Country and coastal towns feel the pressure as city exodus continues

The Regional Australia Institute says the nation is unprepared for this shift with housing supply a key issue

By Bronwyn Allen
Tue, Feb 13, 2024 10:04amGrey Clock 3 min

More Australians are choosing a life in the regions as local employment opportunities grow and the work-from-home era enables young families to leave expensive metropolitan housing markets for a new lifestyle on the coast or in the country where homes are more affordable.

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) estimates 3.5 million Australians would like to set up a new life in the regions but we are unprepared for this population shift. The RAI says many regional towns are already struggling to meet the needs of their growing populations, especially in terms of housing supply and essential services like childcare and education.

“A significant societal transformation is underway in Australia,” said RAI CEO Liz Ritchie. More people are choosing a life in the regions, and metropolitan to regional relocations remain almost 12 percent above the pre-COVID average. With all those additional people calling regional Australia home, we must now ensure that they are able to access the services they need to lead safe, productive, fulfilling lives and contribute to the nation’s success.”

The Federal Government’s newly released State of Australia’s Regions 2024 report reveals key insights as to how the country’s regional areas are changing. It notes significant population increases since the pandemic, especially around coastal cities, and strong economic growth. This is creating more jobs — so much so that regional areas are finding it difficult to fill vacancies.

Job advertisements in regional Australia more than doubled over the four years to October 2023 amid the best three years of agricultural, fisheries and forestry production on record. The tourism industry has also expanded, with more than 100,000 tourism-related businesses now operational across the regions. This is providing a direct economic boost to other local businesses as more visitors flood in. The report also notes that Australia’s net-zero ambitions will require 213,000 new clean energy jobs by 2033, and more of them will be in the regions than the cities.

Ms Ritchie said regional housing supply constraints are alreadyputting a handbrake on our nation’s growth and prosperity. Regional areas have as much of a supply issue as the cities, with home values soaring at a greater rate than the capitals, and rental vacancies just as low at an average of 0.8 percent, according to the latest data from Domain. The RAI says that between March 2020 and December 2023, the median value of regional dwellings grew by 54.2 percent from $392,802 to $605,780. By comparison, capital city dwelling values increased by 29.3 percent from $643,540 to $832,193.

“While it is still more affordable to buy in the regions, for now, there is no third option if locals or metro-movers are priced out of the market, and supply fails to meet demand,” Ms Ritchie said.

Last Friday, RAI co-hosted a National Regional Housing Summit in Canberra attended by 300 industry insiders and government figures including the Federal Minister for Housing. The RAI said one of the issues highlighted was the need for housing diversity, especially medium-density developments. RAI analysis reveals that apartments make up just 2-3 percent of the total housing stock in some regional markets compared to more than 42 percent in metropolitan areas.

“Our regional communities are crying out for one- and two-bedroom properties. Workers need easily accessible and affordable accommodation, older people want to leave their large properties for easier-to-maintain apartments, and a lot more people could get into the property market if there were more entry-level options on the market,” Ms Ritchie said.

In the NSW city of Dubbo, construction is underway on a 15-storey apartment block. This isn’t the sort of development you’d normally expect in an inland community, but it shows that demand for this type of housing is certainly there, she said.



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11 ACRES ROAD, KELLYVILLE, NSW

This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan

35 North Street Windsor

Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.

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Property of the Week: 8-10 Howard St, Kew

Home to Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie, this grand Melbourne estate is a piece of Australian political history.

By Kirsten Craze
Mon, Feb 17, 2025 2 min

It may be a well-worn cliche, but if these walls could talk there would be plenty of state secrets to share. The landmark residence at 8-10 Howard St, Kew was once the private residence of Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie between 1929 and 1949, during the Prime Minster’s first term in the top job. He later held the role again from 1949 to 1966, making him Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister.

Historical land records indicate that the Howard St property was sold to Leonard Clinton Shaw, brother-in-law of Pattie Menzies. Robert and Patti then moved to live into The Lodge in Canberra.

The stately arts and crafts era home was built in the 1910s and has reportedly played host to a long list of dignitaries and VIP guests. As rumour has it, the drawing room of the Kew property is where Menzies crafted his iconic speeches and held many clandestine meetings.

Today the imposing five-bedroom residence, which sits on a vast 1874sq m land parcel in the coveted Studley Park precinct, has come to market through Marshall White agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million.

According to CoreLogic, the property last sold in 2018 for $7.75 million.

Beyond the expansive parklike grounds that to pay homage to celebrated Australian landscaper Edna Walling, the two-storey house is packed with meticulously maintained period features.

Showcasing the best of arts and crafts design influences, the home has a charming tuck-point brick façade, a tessellated tile veranda, coloured leadlight glass windows, dark stained wood panelling inside, as well as high decorative ceilings and cornices.

The large foyer divides the lower level into two distinct zones; big formal rooms and more casual family-friendly spaces. Built for entertaining on a grand scale, both the lounge and dining rooms rooms have original fireplaces and open out to either the undercover veranda or enclosed sunroom.

Also on the ground level, a spacious family room with yet another fireplace connects to an everyday meals area, and the contemporary kitchen comes complete with granite surfaces, a Paul Bocuse stove, an integrated Miele dishwasher, a walk-in pantry and wine cellar. A home office, or potential guest bedroom, plus a large laundry and two powder rooms round out the lower level floor plan.

Up via a majestic timber staircase, four big bedrooms have fireplaces and built-in wardrobes, while the primary suite is home to a palatial ensuite and dressing room. This accommodation level also houses two family bathrooms and a rear balcony that overlooks the grounds.

Outdoors there are multiple lifestyle features including a north/south tennis court with lighting, a unique rounds swimming pool and all-weather terraces.

Other features include an alarm, hydronic heating, a 60,000L underground tank, a garden shed, a remote double garage and additional off-street parking.

Located on the old Oakland Estate, the Menzies’ former home is close to popular eateries, Xavier College, St Vincents Private Hospital and golf courses.

 

Expressions of interest close on March 11, at 5pm for 8-10 Howard St, Kew. The home is listed with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million through agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett of Marshall White.

MOST POPULAR
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This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan

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Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.

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