'Sustained population growth, coupled with a solid economy, ensures the state's residential property market is likely to continue to perform very well. Combine this with a large amount of infrastructure and urban renewal projects, and Brisbane will continue to grow significantly.'
—Australian Property Investor Planning, Brisbane and South-East Queensland Property Overview.

A city with an innovative and vibrant edge, Brisbane has solid fundamentals for long term growth. With a rapidly expanding population, massive infrastructure development, and an unmatched lifestyle—Brisbane has the key drivers of long-term demand that property investors are looking for.

Australia's fastest growing capital city

According to Australian Property Investor Planning (APIP), the Brisbane property market is greatly influenced by Queensland's growing population. Brisbane recorded the largest growth rate of all capital cities in the last census, with an annual growth rate of 2.2%.

'This is putting pressure on supply levels across the state, with more than 160,000 new residents moving to the 'sunshine state' from interstate in the five years to June 2007,' APIP said. 

Put simply, supply and demand market forces will continue to support property growth in Brisbane.

Brisbane's property market—best long-term performer

Brisbane is the best long-term performer of all Australia's capital cities, according to an Australian Property Institute study.

The study compared the median house prices for each capital city over 35 years (from 1970 to 2005) and found that Brisbane averaged 11% a year in house price growth. This means that on average, Brisbane house prices have doubled every seven years for the past 35 years.

According to the Quartile Property Network, the Brisbane market will continue to perform well.

'We continue to view the Brisbane market in a positive light with a solid outlook for the medium to long term, and expect to see continued growth due to the strong underlying fundamentals that currently prevail.'

Director of Property Research for RP Data, Tim Lawless, explains why the Brisbane property market is a solid investment option.

'The comparatively affordable properties in Brisbane, coupled with strong economic growth and immigration, have fuelled strong and far more uniform growth across the Brisbane market relative to the other cities,' he said.

Cheapest stamp duty of all capital cities

In addition to being Australia's best long-term performer, in terms of residential property stamp duty Brisbane is the most affordable of all Australian capital cities.

Below is a comparision table of the stamp duty in each state for a $430,000 property.

You can use the Stamp Duty Calculator in the Tools section of our website to work out the stamp duty in each state for an investment property you are considering purchasing.

State	Stamp duty paid
Queensland	$13,475
New South Wales	$14,840
Victoria	$20,870
Western Australia	$14,440
Australian Capital Territory	$16,650
South Australia	$17,830
Northern Territory	$18,600
Tasmania	$14,750

Catering for growth—Brisbane's cutting edge infrastructure projects

Brisbane, and south-east Queensland generally, has received a substantial amount of State and Federal Government investment in infrastructure and the development of a transport network. According to Vista Residential, these infrastructure commitments indicate strong growth for the future.

Property researcher, Terry Ryder, says regional policy decisions such as the South East Queensland Regional Plan positively impact on residential property growth.

The plan places great emphasis on a cutting edge development approach called Transport Oriented Development (TOD), where residential projects are developed or planned around major transport areas. Mr Ryder advises investors to keep an eye on TOD developments. 

'There is already research evidence which confirms that buyers will pay a premium for property close to major transport nodes,' he said.

The South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan details over 300 projects, with an investment of over $107 billion including:

• $83.5 billion on road, rail and public transport
• $8 billion on water
• $3.5 billion on energy networks, and 
• $12 billion on social and community infrastructure.

'From the big country town of two decades ago to a modern super city in 2026, the transformation of Brisbane and south-east Queensland over the next 20 years will be beyond the imagination of many,' said APIP.

Defence presence

Defence families are an integral part of the Brisbane community. The current military population of Brisbane includes over 5,400 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, Defence civilians and ADF cadets. 

The Army has the largest presence in Brisbane, with its major establishment located in the suburb of Enoggera. There is also a Navy establishment located at Bulimba on the south side of Brisbane, and an Army Promotion and Training Centre located in the Gold Coast Hinterland at Canungra.

DHA manages over 1,400 dwellings in the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Canungra areas.

Click this link to view a list of DHA properties for sale in the Brisbane area.

Sources

• 'Welcome to Brisbane', Defence Community Organisation.
• 'Introducing Brisbane', Lonely Planet Brisbane Travel Information and Travel Guide.
• 'Population Estimates by Statistical Local Area, 2001 to 2007,' Australian Beureau of Statistics.
• 'Living in Brisbane 2026', Brisbane City Council.
• 'Brisbane: long-term infrastructure plan', QLD Government. 
• 'TODs are a trend to watch', Hotspotting.com.au.
• 'Brisbane the best long-term performer and Sydney the worst since 1970', Hotspotting.com.au.
• 'Brisbane and South East Queensland Property Overview', Australian Property Investor Planning.
• 'Brisbane property market information', Vista Residential.
• 'Why invest in Brisbane', Developers Direct.
• 'Queensland offers best deal on stamp duty', hotspotting.com.au.