New research has identified the potential for more than three million additional strata units to be built across Australia’s major cities, offering a potential solution to the housing crisis.
The report, titled ‘The Missing Middle: The Greatest Opportunity for Medium-Density Development’, found almost 1.3 million sites that could accommodate new strata developments across capital cities.
Melbourne shows the greatest potential with more than 472,000 lots capable of delivering almost 1.2 million new strata units, while Sydney follows with 351,000 sites suitable for more than 934,000 new units.
CoreLogic Research Director, Tim Lawless, said this type of development could help address housing targets.
“Governments are looking for ways to maximise opportunities for new well-located housing with a focus on strategic densification near transport nodes, maximising infill targets and ensuring an equitable supply of affordable housing options,” Mr Lawless said.
The research revealed that 57 per cent of the identified sites are within 2km of a train station, making them ideal for urban development.
Almost 500,000 sites are classified as ‘low complexity’, with no material slope, heritage rules or hazard risks to consider.
“This style of infill development is often more sympathetic to the local character and tends to encounter less resistance from local residents who are often wary of higher densities,” Mr Lawless said.
Archistar co-founder Dr Benjamin Coorey said the findings were significant for urban planning.
“The ‘Missing Middle’ report identifies significant opportunities within our urban areas to address housing shortages through more diverse, medium-density developments,” Dr Coorey said.
“These findings provide a crucial foundation for future planning and policy development across Australia.”
“Understanding the potential for the ‘Missing Middle’ is a vital step towards tackling Australia’s housing challenges.
“The report underscores the need for data-driven approaches to maximise underutilised land and optimise urban planning outcomes.”
