#311: REVEALED – The Aussie Suburbs with the Lowest Number of New Dwellings - The Hidden Forces Blocking New Homes in High-Demand Locations

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🎙️In this timely and hard-hitting episode of The Property Trio, Dave, Cate, and Mike unpack a serious supply crisis facing Australian housing. Mike Mortlock shares some valuable research, hot off the press from the team at MCG. The data reveals that hundreds of suburbs across the country have recorded less than 1% growth in housing approvals over a two-year period. These “frozen” suburbs aren’t adding enough new stock to meet even a fraction of demand, despite record migration and ongoing population growth.

The Trio highlights how this lack of new supply is fuelling Australia’s affordability crisis. Renters are squeezed, first-home buyers are sidelined, and down-sizers often can’t find suitable housing within their communities. Even more alarming is that these figures only reflect building approvals, (not actual completions). This means the true supply increase is likely even smaller.


The conversation deep dives into the structural barriers that prevent housing from being delivered where it’s needed most. From development taxes and levies making up to 40% of a new home’s cost, to NIMBY, (not in my backyard) opposition and clogged planning systems, the obstacles are significant and widespread. Suburbs like Victoria's Glen Waverley-East, Camberwell North, and Mount Eliza are among those effectively shut off to meaningful development.

With housing commencements falling 30% short of national targets, and population growth adding 650,000 people in a single year, Australia is failing to keep pace. The Trio explores a range of solutions, from tax and planning reform to public-private partnerships and cultural change around urban density.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in understanding the root causes — and potential solutions — to Australia’s deepening housing crisis.

📊  Some interesting statistics include:

• Suburbs with under 1% dwelling approval growth over two years are failing to contribute to national supply goals.
• Annual dwelling commencements in 2024 sat at 168,000 — a 30% shortfall against the federal target of 240,000.
• Australia’s population grew by 650,000 in 2023, driven largely by migration — but housing supply hasn’t kept pace.

.... and our gold nuggets!

Cate Bakos's gold nugget: For those who are feeling a pinch of "NIMYism", source some information to glean more about planning, the approval process, and the detail of the project itself.

Mike Mortlock's gold nugget: Community consultation is a multi-faceted issue. There are a number of levers we can apply, but as Mike says, we need to have some real conversations about these levers with some bright minds.

David Johnston's gold nugget: Government of all persuasions need to consider the taxes they are making from new property, and focus on proper incentives. We need to also consider the areas where we can reduce the red tape, whilst maintaining safety standards in the building industry.

Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/05/26/limited-housing-supply-suburbs/