The Policy Shift That Could Reshape Property Prices
About this episode
This episode discusses how Australian housing policy, particularly zoning and planning reform, impacts the housing supply crisis and affordability.
When we talk about Australia’s housing crisis, interest rates and investors dominate the conversation—but the real drivers run deeper. In this episode, we unpack how Australian housing policy—particularly zoning and planning reform—is shaping the housing supply crisis, and whether strategic planning reform can genuinely improve affordability without destabilising the market. We explore the economics behind land scarcity, why middle suburbs have become effectively “locked up,” and how allowing three storey townhouses and gentle density could reshape housing supply. Brendan breaks down what broad upzoning actually means in practice, how Victoria and NSW are approaching reform differently, and whether these changes meaningfully shift feasibility for developers. For investors, this raises the bigger question: if scarcity underpins capital growth, what happens when supply constraints are relaxed? Does planning reform erode returns—or simply create a more functional market? If you care about Australian housing affordability, the housing supply crisis, or the long-term fundamentals of property investment, this episode cuts through the politics and gets to the economics. Episode…
People in this episode
Host: Chris Bates
Guest: Brendan
Topics covered
- housing crisis
- zoning reform
- planning policy
- affordability
- property investment
- supply constraints
Keywords
- housing supply
- capital growth
- upzoning
- development costs
- missing middle housing
- townhouses
- high-rise
- market stability
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast
Places: Australia, Victoria, NSW
More episodes of The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate
- How Protected Are You Using a Property Advisor?
- Why CGT Changes Won’t Solve Australia’s Housing Crisis
- Paul Scully: Inside NSW’s Plan to Fix Housing—and What Could Go Wrong
- The Reality of Buying a Home with a 5% Deposit in Australia
- Inside the Business of Property Development Site Acquisition
- The Politics of Density: Who Really Benefits?
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate podcast page.