Where are the top Regional Hotspots to Invest in?
In this blog our focus is on Regional hotspots in Victoria.
Victoria, according to market indicators and property market analysts is set to achieve capital growth in 2025 and going forwards, primarily on the back of a population growth and low supply of new land available right now for development.
Victoria’s population growth continues it’s upward trend sitting at around 6,816,241 mid 2023 with a 2.45% growth proving to be one of Australia’s fastest growth States. With a projected population planned at 10.3 million by 2051.
In our recent blog on Why Geelong makes investment sense here, we stated that land supply across most growth centres in Victoria all are undergoing a major supply of new land for development crisis.
Population Growth + Increasing Demand + Low Supply = Investment Opportunity
Successful Investment Strategy
Key to successful investing into real estate has always been and will always be to invest before property prices start to increase. Yes?
Well why do investors wait to see what is going to happen? Because they invest using emotion and we know, when ever one invests in anything using emotion, you are guaranteeing yourself a lower Return on Your Investment … but only … 100% of the time.
So emotional investors (around 70% of investors) tend to wait and then follow the crowd, so to speak. When the media and friends are talking about Property Growth in a location, you have already missed the opportunity at hand right now.
Successful investors target a market which is sitting at a market low, yet has required market fundamentals in place or under plan or construction which they have identified that will enhance capital growth potential on the back of an increase in demand for property in those locations.
We know that :
Would you agree with this strategy? Excellent if you do … so where should you be investing you may be asking?
In no particular order, market analysts have prioritised : Geelong; Ballarat; Cardinia Shire; Shepparton and Albury / Wodonga on the back of increasing population growth and infrastructure investment.
Geelong
City of Geelong includes a $17.4 billion investment into major projects and is enjoying highest growth in business numbers in the State. See more about why Geelong makes for sound investment opportunity here.
In summary Geelong and Geelong growth areas plan to accommodate 16,000 residents in the city centre by 2050, yet there is insufficient land being released to accommodate current population growth.
Geelong population sitting around 299,735 residents and growing by around 2.24% per annum expected to grow to 441,948 residents requiring another 59,255 new dwellings by 2046 . See here and read further here on massive exciting developments for this major growth city.
Ballarat
Ballarat has already experienced a strong population growth and thus increase in land values and rents. This was driven by affordability and accessibility on the back of the fast rail service and also the West Gate Tunnel project, both enhancing travel times to connect Ballarat with Geelong and Melbourne.
Ballarat is planning to grow in population from current 122,000 to a projected 164,000 over the next 21 years. See more here transforming Ballarat into city status. Ballarat has a growth economy in education, health, data processing and research etc.
Significant investment into Ballarat’s infrastructure comprises of projects such as the $655m redevelopment of Ballarae Base Hospital, the $2bn Regional Support Package and the likes ensuring Ballarat’s resilience and potential for continued population growth on the back of job creation and thus capital growth and rent increases in the property sector.
Albury / Wodonga
Albury-Wodonga continues to present as an outstanding regional area of Australia, the renowned ‘twin cities’ are both experiencing continued population growth with a result being forging of a sound and strong residential property market.
Dwelling values achieved around 60% increases over the past 5 years, partly due to population shifts to escape Covid in the bigger cities. Rents have also increased on the back of exceptionally low vacancy rates and demand for rentals.
Current population close to 102,000 and expected to continue increasing by around 1.3% per annum. Albury has around 59,182 (planned to grow to 78,250 by 2046), requiring around 3,700 new dwellings.
Wodonga around 46,402 residents (planned to grow to 60,285 by 2046) requiring around 5,500 new dwllings. See more here for Albury and here for Wodonga and here for both cities
Both regions are stable and sustainable in population growth and job creation. The economy of both include transportation, administration, healthcare and education.
Albury Council has $65m allocated for new capital works during 2025. Whilst Wodonga has budgeted for $15.8m of new capital works. Both centres remain one of Australia’s largest regional centres offering diverse economic drivers with a gross Regional Product of $8bn. This is substantial.
A major exciting new development for Albury-Wodonga includes “Two Cities, One Community” and a major overhaul for new Master Plan for both CBD’s of Albury and Wodonga. See here. Keep in mind that major development of infrastructure provides new jobs, new jobs attracts population growth which places upward pressure on supply of new Land for development. All equate to an increase in Land Values and Rental Yields. Your investment opportunity.
Cardinia
Cardinia Shire comprises of a significant 1,283 sq/km. Located in Melbourne’s south-east, is one of Australia’s fastest growth areas. Over the past 10 years, an abundance of new residents moved into this area with a current population of around 132,289 residents today. Planned to grow to a population of 167,989 by 2046 requiring around 12,659 new dwellings. See more here
Substantial population growth requires significant infrastructure investment and development, as well as new land releases to accommodate new residents. Cardinia shire has been nominated for Melbourne’s third airport in the state government’s growth strategy document. Reason being close proximity to the port of Hastings, making it an ideal location to become a key player in the freight network within Victoria.
Cardinia is planned and is set to become a thriving accessible region for business and residents alike.
Sheppparton
Greater Shepparton is a major agricultural hub producing most of Victoria’s agricultural groups with a population of around 70,000 residents. Expected to grow to 81,052 by the year 2046 requiring around 4,032 new dwellings. See more here
Shepparton is a prime geographic location for fruit growing, livestock and dairy. With an economy that thrives on exporting its produce internationally. The spin off includes freight logistics and major transport investment linking Shepparton to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
Substantial investment into renewable energy including solar farms is helping the environment but also creating new jobs for the region.
Shepparton offers residents affordable housing, has a low vacancy rate and is becoming a sought after location for investors being a thriving regional city with a vibrant economy, rich in agricultural resources and underpinned by growth opportunities.
Request access to “5 Regional Investment Locations Report” opportunities here :
Key to Successful Property Investment
Work with a property investment company with experience and who undertakes industry and location analysis on a daily basis. Invest in locations with required market fundamentals in place, but more importantly budgeted for and coming. These locations will according to history increase in value once this infrastructure is in place.
With both Government Investment + Industry Investment they both create new jobs. New jobs attract population growth. Population growth places upward pressure on demand for housing to own and or rent. Demand on supply has the impact of increasing residential property values and rental yields. Your investment opportunity.
Meaning invest in real estate prior to identified locations with planned for infrastructure taking off, their markets today are affordable based on current supply and demand. With new fundamentals in place, the future growth will come.
Regional Victoria is poised for this growth with a big uplift in buyer activity predicted, especially on the back of projected interest rate cuts. There is also a major turn around in Investor Attitudes, whose focus is shifting towards Victorian markets. The Victorian economy is being underpinned by construction, with planned building approvals on the increase, the economy will continue to grow according to Investment Reports.
ABS reports show Victoria had the second highest growth rates in Australia, rising 2.7%. This population growth is increasing demand for the supply of dwellings, which will result in higher property prices. Vacancy rates remain at historical lows, with the propensity to force rental yields even higher. Did you know that there are around 22,000 fewer rental properties on the market than a year ago?
Get into the market before the media start reporting these market shits and property price increases!
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