By Rich Harvey, CEO & Founder, propertybuyer.com.au
For decades, the New South Wales Central Coast region was in a property market holding pattern. It was flying under the radar of homebuyers and investors alike. But COVID’s significant upheaval brought the region into the limelight. Now, a raft of drivers across the political and economic spectrum will deliver exciting times to the Central Coast – and those who own property will be among the biggest beneficiaries.
Anthony Knight, Principal buyers’ advocate for Propertybuyer on the Central Coast, has lived in the region for decades. We recently chatted about the region and why he’s excited about what’s to come.
Brisbane’s property market is often cited as a bedrock example of the traditional capital growth model. As a generalisation, it’s said the closer your home is to the CBD, the greater it’s capital gain potential and value per square metre.
This premise has held fairly true for decades in the Sunshine State’s capital. It’s allowed even novice investors and homebuyers to plan ahead and acquire solid real estate with excellent upsides, and all at reasonable prices.
But town-planning changes throughout the past couple of decades are altering this once bedrock model. For those spotting the shift, there’s an opportunity to acquire lower-cost real estate well away from the city centre with above-average upsides.
Employment hubs
In the past it could be argued that most people in Brisbane worked in, or near, the CBD. Many years back, families would buy into a suburb where they could afford a home, and the primary breadwinner would commute toward the city for work each day.
But in recent decades this structure has changed. We no longer see vast proportions of residents needing to be close the CBD because our employment centres have multiplied and spread.
I had a chat with Propertybuyer’s Brisbane expert, Glen Sainsbury about the changing face of his city. Glen has gathered some compelling information for anyone considering a Brisbane purchase, including a recent survey by the Suburban Employment Council.
Glen noted there are a several employment hubs where 10,000 or more locals are now working. They offer a wide range of jobs across a variety of industries. As these areas expand, they are attracting not only businesses but also residents looking to live close to their place of work, and that means more demand for real estate.
It’s not just the recognised major employment centres of Brisbane Airport and Port of Brisbane which are both set to see job opportunities balloon. Here are several other hubs which are prospering:
Chermside
This suburb in Brisbane’s north is known for its major retail precinct and healthcare facilities. Chermside employs around 8000 to 10,000 people, and its job market is expected to grow with further retail and healthcare expansions. Chermside Shopping Centre is also an important transport hub, with a bus terminus helping locals reach most parts of the city and beyond. The current median house price in Chermside is $952,000.
North Lakes
North Lakes is a relatively new community having been gazetted in 2006. It was the culmination of a major, multi-stage residential development with easy access to the Bruce Highway and Redcliffe. North Lakes current median house price is $830,000.
Its comprehensive commercial operations across retail, industrial and office helps employ 7000 to 9000 people in sectors that include professional services, healthcare and education. As commercial and healthcare developments continue, demand for housing in the area looks certain to rise.
Brendale
Brendale is a key industrial and logistics hub with over 15,000 people employed across various business. Its proximity to transport routes both via major roadways and rail makes it a desirable location for businesses. This is driving residential demand in nearby suburbs. Housing within Brendale itself is limited, but the adjacent suburb of Strathpine currently has a median house price of $740,750.
Rocklea & Acacia Ridge
The industrial precinct here currently employs around 10,000 to 15,000 people across manufacturing, transport, logistics, and warehousing. While this enclave is still relatively central, future job growth prospects and relatively affordable nearby housing options make this area one to watch. Planned infrastructure upgrades like the Inland Rail project, which supports logistics and freight industries, are yet another reason to feel positive about this suburb cluster. Median house prices for Rocklea and Acacia Ridge are $590,000 and $717,500 respectively.
Springfield
A major western growth corridor development that has been decades in the making. One of the developer’s primary goals was to create and integrated community with such comprehensive facilities that residents would never have to travel outside the suburb’s boundaries for their requirements. They have succeeded in spades, with Springfield continuing to enjoy solid demand among property buyers, and with a median house price of $785,000. There are around 12,000 people employed here in industries like education, healthcare, retail, construction, and professional services. It’s forecast that job numbers will reach 50,000 by 2030, with the expansion of health, education, and business sectors.
Logan
This local authority in Brisbane’s south is a major service centre for the region. Taking in the Meadowbrook and Crestmead industrial areas, Logan sees over 20,000 people employed within its boundaries across logistics, manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. It’s forecast that 40,000 jobs will be added to the area by 2041, particularly in logistics, healthcare, and construction sectors. The median house price in Logan Central sits at $600,000.
Brisbane’s employment hubs are not just places of work—they are becoming fully integrated communities where people can live, work, and enjoy a high quality of life. For those employed in these areas, living nearby eliminates long commutes, allowing for more time spent with family, more flexible work arrangements, and better access to local services. As a result, residential properties in and around these hubs are becoming increasingly in demand
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