--- title: "The $1 Trillion Pipeline: Where Infrastructure Is Driving Demand" description: 664 major projects worth over $1 trillion, from Sydney Metro West to Cross River Rail, are reshaping where property demand grows. image: https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Supply%20Lockdown%20Deepens.png --- [Nuestar](https://www.nuestar.com.au/) - About ▾ ABOUT - [About Nuestar](https://www.nuestar.com.au/about) - [Testimonials](https://www.nuestar.com.au/testimonials) - Process ▾ PROCESS - [The Access](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/the-access) - [How We Work](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/how-we-work) - [Who We Work With](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/who-we-work-with) - Insights ▾ INSIGHTS - [Australian Property Market](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/australian-property-market) - [Investing as an Expat](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/investing-as-an-expat) - [Building a Property Portfolio](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/building-a-property-portfolio) - Resources ▾ RESOURCES - [Blog](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog) - [Research Library](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/gated) - [SMSF Videos](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/smsf-videos) - [Spotify Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/) - [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/) [Log In](https://propertydirector.com.au) [Book a Discovery Session](https://www.nuestar.com.au/contact) About - [About Nuestar](https://www.nuestar.com.au/about) - [Testimonials](https://www.nuestar.com.au/testimonials) Process - [The Access](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/the-access) - [How We Work](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/how-we-work) - [Who We Work With](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/who-we-work-with) Insights - [Australian Property Market](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/australian-property-market) - [Investing as an Expat](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/investing-as-an-expat) - [Building a Property Portfolio](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/building-a-property-portfolio) Resources - [Blog](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog) - [Research Library](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/gated) - [SMSF Videos](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/smsf-videos) - [Spotify Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/) - [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/) [Log In](https://propertydirector.com.au) [Book a Discovery Session](https://www.nuestar.com.au/contact) ![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Supply%20Lockdown%20Deepens.png) # The $1 Trillion Pipeline: Where Infrastructure Is Driving Demand October 15, 2026 5 min read ## Terry’s View: Transport Infrastructure Turbocharges Target Markets   Nothing boosts real estate markets like major infrastructure projects and right now Australia is experiencing its largest and most sustained period of infrastructure investment ever. This is a key factor to keep in mind during times of major disruption from government. Major infrastructure developments generate huge new demand from home buyers and from tenants – and those demand levels are largely unaffected by changes to taxation measures impacting investors. Infrastructure covers many different types of community facility, including hospitals, universities, schools, power stations, data centres and a lot more – but the biggest single category is transport infrastructure – which includes motorways, rail links, bridges, tunnels and airports. Across Australia there are 664 projects, worth more than $100 million each, that are either planned, in pre-construction or actively under construction — with a combined pipeline value of more than a trillion dollars – that’s over 1000 billion dollars. Of those 664 projects, 300 are already under construction – and that constitutes a massive boost to real estate demand in the targeted locations. Investment in upgrading and expanding Australia’s airports is surging. Major airport redevelopments or expansions are either underway or in advanced planning in nearly every capital city. These airport projects are massive generators of real estate demand in the surrounding areas because of the big employment zones that evolve next to major city airports. The Aerotropolis surrounding the new Western Sydney Airport is expected to support more than 200,000 jobs and the Australia TradeCoast precinct next to Brisbane Airport already supports about 60,000 jobs. And, given the desire by most people to live as close as possible to where they work, this generates big demand from renters and home buyers. Rail also dominates the mega-project tier. Of the top 10 projects by value, the majority are rail-based rather than road. This marks a significant shift from previous decades when motorway construction dominated the national infrastructure agenda – although there are still a number of big road projects in the mix. The biggest projects under construction include the $29 billion Sydney Metro West project, Brisbane’s $19 billion Cross River Rail, Adelaide’s $15 billion T2D Motorway development and Melbourne’s $15 billion North East Link Freeway. ## Supply Lockdown Deepens ![Supply Lockdown Deepens](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Supply%20Lockdown%20Deepens.png?width=656&height=491&name=Supply%20Lockdown%20Deepens.png)   New data shows Australian homeowners are holding onto properties for longer, tightening supply in some of the nation’s most established suburbs. While the typical national holding period is 11.7 years for houses and 10.3 years for units, a select group of suburbs now has average ownership periods stretching close to or beyond 20 years. Clarinda in Melbourne recorded the longest average hold time for houses at 23 years, followed by Mont Albert, Hurlstone Park, Bexley North and Greenfield Park. For units, Cremorne Point in Sydney led the nation at 18.3 years. REA Group economist Luc Redman said these long-hold suburbs are often stable, middle-ring areas with high owner-occupier appeal, where families have settled and remained for decades. The trend highlights a key national challenge: in tightly held suburbs, demand may remain strong while available supply stays limited.  ## Investor Market Shifts ![Investor Market Shifts](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Investor%20Market%20Shifts.png?width=656&height=440&name=Investor%20Market%20Shifts.png)   Investor lending remained a major force in Australia’s property market in the March quarter, with investors accounting for 40.3% of new housing finance by value - the highest share since 2016. However, market conditions have shifted since that data was recorded. The federal budget, proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, and updated lender serviceability policies have created a more complex environment for investors. While total housing loan commitments fell 6.2% in the March quarter, investors pulled back less sharply than owner-occupiers, highlighting the strength of demand at that point in the cycle. Conditions now vary widely across the country. Melbourne and Sydney are facing more price pressure, while Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are expected to remain more resilient. The national market remains fragmented, with investors becoming more selective and focused on fundamentals such as rental demand, vacancy rates and long-term growth prospects.  ## Market Shift Creates Opportunity ![Market Shift Creates Opportunity](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Market%20Shift%20Creates%20Opportunity.png?width=656&height=380&name=Market%20Shift%20Creates%20Opportunity.png)   Australia’s property sector is preparing for a major adjustment following the passage of tax reforms affecting negative gearing, capital gains tax and SMSF lending. Industry groups have warned the changes could weigh on housing supply and investment confidence at a time when more homes are urgently needed. The Property Council said the reforms may affect investment across housing, commercial and industrial projects, while the Housing Industry Association argued the changes could make it harder to deliver new homes. However, PRD chief economist Diaswati Mardiasmo said the changing environment may also create opportunities for buyers. With some investors reassessing their strategies, competition may ease in parts of the established housing market, giving first-home buyers and owner-occupiers more room to act. For investors, strong rental yields, low vacancy rates and local fundamentals will remain key considerations. ## Wealth Keeps Rising ![Housing Wealth Keeps Rising](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Housing%20Wealth%20Keeps%20Rising.png?width=656&height=435&name=Housing%20Wealth%20Keeps%20Rising.png)   Australia’s household wealth continues to climb, with residential property remaining one of the nation’s most important wealth drivers. ABS data shows household wealth reached $19.2 trillion by the end of March, with net worth rising 30% over the past three years. Much of this growth has been supported by the value of land and dwellings, reinforcing the central role of home ownership in Australia’s economy.  The median house price has increased by more than 400% this century, far outpacing income growth and highlighting the ongoing affordability challenge. While policy debate continues around tax reform, intergenerational fairness and better targeting of government support, housing remains deeply connected to Australia’s financial security. For those able to enter the market, property continues to be a powerful long-term source of wealth creation.  Share [Previous story ← Regional Migration Reaches a Record High: Australia's Top Growth Destinations](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/regional-migration-reaches-a-record-high-australias-top-growth-destinations) ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Market%20Momentum%20Holds%20Firm.png)](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/regional-migration-reaches-a-record-high-australias-top-growth-destinations) ### [Regional Migration Reaches a Record High: Australia's Top Growth Destinations](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/regional-migration-reaches-a-record-high-australias-top-growth-destinations) October 15, 2026 4 min read [![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Population%20Hits%2028%20Million.png)](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/australia-reaches-28-million-population-growth-and-the-renovation-boom) ### [28 Million and Counting: Population Growth Fuels a Renovation Boom](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/australia-reaches-28-million-population-growth-and-the-renovation-boom) October 15, 2026 3 min read [![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/More%20Choice%20for%20Buyers.png)](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/location-still-wins-post-budget-buying-window) ### [Location Still Wins: The Post-Budget Buying Window Opens](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/location-still-wins-post-budget-buying-window) October 15, 2026 7 min read ## Ready to build a *long-term* property portfolio? 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