Australia’s housing crisis is escalating, with a shortage of affordable homes putting significant pressure on both renters and homebuyers, particularly in regional areas. Amid this growing issue, experts suggest that medium-density housing could be the key to addressing the shortfall.
ABC News reports on the shifting housing landscape as Australian regional cities look to adapt. As demand for affordable, centrally-located housing increases, local councils are exploring ways to incorporate higher-density developments, despite the challenges that such a shift may bring.
The Rise of Medium-Density Housing
Across Australia, the dominance of separate houses is increasingly being questioned. In cities like Launceston, Tasmania, where housing options have long been limited, the need for a more varied housing stock is clear. Isobella Mitchell, a Launceston resident, enjoys the benefits of living in a small apartment above a shop in the city centre.
“I can walk to work, which means I don’t have to rely on my car, which is nice, and I find everything’s here that I need as well,” Mitchell explained.
Experts argue that, like Mitchell’s experience, more people are seeking out compact living spaces close to work and amenities. According to Ellen Witte, principal at SGS Economics and Planning, Australia is in dire need of addressing the “missing middle.”
This term refers to the gap between large, suburban homes and high-rise apartments, which many Australian cities fail to adequately address.
How Medium-Density Housing Could Alleviate the Housing Crisis
For Witte and others in the field, the solution to this gap lies in low-to-medium-density housing. This form of housing typically consists of buildings no taller than three stories and often includes small private gardens.
For regional areas, this option is seen as a way to provide more affordable housing, especially for key workers, like teachers and nurses, who are struggling to find accommodation. As Witte points out, offering medium-density housing can lead to more sustainable communities in these towns.
“If … more people [are] close to jobs and services in regional centres, we can actually have much more viable communities, and that benefits everyone,” she said.
Launceston’s Approach to Increasing Density
Launceston’s city council is already responding to this growing demand for inner-city housing. Mayor Matthew Garwood noted that the council is working with developers to convert shop-top spaces into apartments and turn underused council properties, like car parks, into residential areas.
This collaboration aims to boost the availability of inner-city living options, offering both affordable housing and the chance to preserve the city’s character. However, Garwood acknowledges the challenges that come with increasing urban density.
In particular, the availability of parking and waste disposal systems are two issues that the council is currently grappling with.
“The liveable city model of car parking, having cars in the city, and ensuring that there are really great public transport offerings,” he said.
Looking ahead: The role of councils and developers
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute’s Michael Fotheringham suggests that councils should adopt more flexible approaches to approving developments while addressing concerns related to infrastructure and services.
“We still build a lot more free-standing houses than apartments by a factor of something like six to one, whereas in most parts of the world, particularly in large cities, apartment living is much more a mainstream activity,” he explained.
For regional councils across Australia, the challenge lies in striking the right balance between encouraging higher density housing and maintaining a high standard of urban services.
