Tree change demand fuels Goulburn real estate boom

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Ray White Goulburn selling assistant Addison Gann said demand for blocks of residential land was "absolutely crazy".

"There are literally no residential blocks available in Goulburn, if there is they have already been sold," he said.

"Residential blocks have gone up between $40,000 and $80,000 within the past 12 months."

Mr Gann said he had seen a "huge number" of people moving to the region from big cities over the past 12 to 18 months. He said the majority of people were from Sydney and Canberra.

A Goulburn Mulwaree Council spokesperson said there had been a 60 per cent increase in development in the past financial year.

A total of 637 development applications were lodged to the council in the 2020/21 financial year, compared to 399 applications the year before.

Mr Gann said the average selling price in Goulburn had increased, while there had been a "spike" in demand for three bedroom rentals.

"People are selling their homes in Sydney, cashing up and buying a place in Goulburn," he said.

"People from Canberra are buying property or renting and commuting to and from work."

In addition, Mr Gann said investors from Sydney and the Southern Highlands were building spec homes and selling them.

Mayor Bob Kirk said he looked forward to data from the upcoming census.

"It is our belief that Goulburn and the wider region's population is increasing at a significantly quicker rate than was projected," he said.

"This is certainly backed up by the number of development applications we have seen recently.

"If this rate of growth is to continue it is likely we will need to revise our available land and housing forecasts in the coming years - which is a positive."

Goulburn Mulwaree Council staff have predicted a minimum population increase of 1.5 per cent by the end of the year. This would bring the population to 32,027.

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