Ep 24. Why Cairns Housing Isn’t Being Built (And What It Means for Prices)
Everyone says we just need more housing… but in Cairns, there are already approved developments that never get built. So what’s actually stopping them?
In this episode, I sit down with James McPeak from McPeak Town Planning to break down the Cairns housing market, land supply, and the real reasons developments stall—even after council approval.
If you’ve ever wondered:
-Is there really a land shortage in Cairns?
-Why isn’t new housing being delivered?
-What’s stopping developers from building?
-Is Cairns property still a good investment?
This episode answers it.
What we cover:
-The truth about Cairns land supply (and why it’s misunderstood)
-Why “available land” isn’t actually build-ready
-Infrastructure constraints: sewer, roads, and services
-Subdivision vs strata: how developers create housing supply
-Why approved developments don’t get built
-The real costs behind construction, finance, and feasibility
-What actually needs to change to improve housing affordability
This is the reality most buyers, investors, and even developers don’t fully understand. Because the issue isn’t just approvals…It’s feasibility, infrastructure, and a system that doesn’t stack up.
Timestamps:
00:00 Unpacking Cairns' Housing Crisis: Land Supply & Geographic Constraints
03:14 Mount Peter: Infrastructure Bottlenecks & Development Delays
09:23 State Intervention & Cairns' Infill Development Challenges
13:51 Cairns' Population Growth, Affordability & Development Feasibility
18:16 Developer Due Diligence & Viable Smaller Scale Projects
21:47 Subdivision vs. Strata Titling: Unlocking New Housing Supply
29:11 Addressing Housing Affordability: Government's Role & Tax System
35:05 Supply Control, Investor Blame & James's Property Advice
If you’re looking to buy or invest in Cairns property, we help clients secure the right property with a clear strategy and full due diligence.
