THERE isn’t enough land available in Bathurst to meet the demand from people wanting to build their own homes.
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Real estate agents agree that Bathurst Regional Council needs to start releasing more land to encourage people’s interest in living in the city.
Bathurst Real Estate principal Mick Whittaker said there has been a halt in the release of land in recent years, which has had an impact on housing.
“We have seen a drying up of land and in the last few years we’ve seen land prices increase and that has put pressure on house prices,” he said.
Mr Whittaker said his agency has a small amount of land still available in Riverview Estate, but each buyer is different.
“We’ve got a small amount of land available in what I would consider a prestige area,” he said.
“Each estate has its own market and some people want bigger blocks of land and some people want smaller blocks of land.”
He said it is clear how much the city is growing and the land needs to be there to help that growth continue.
“We are growing and having a ready supply of land is really important,” Mr Whittaker said.
Century 21 Bathurst principal Troy Kearney agreed that there is a shortage of residential land available at the moment.
There has been a lot of inquiry at his agency, with buyers wanting to living in Marsden Estate and investors wanting land in Windradyne.
“I think there needs to be a gradual release,” he said.
“We want them to be sought after, but not in abundance.”
Mr Kearney said Bathurst has a very unique market and he has even seen people come from Sydney to buy an investment property and then go back to Sydney to keep renting themselves.
“I don’t think you could find another market like it in the state,” he said.
The city’s land woes could soon be over, though.
Mayor Graeme Hanger OAM said Bathurst Regional Council acknowledges the demand for land and has plans for two subdivisions.
“Council is looking to develop a 275-lot residential subdivision at Limekilns Road and a further 180 residential lots at Windradyne,” he said.
“Council also continues to revise the Local Environment Plan and the Delivery and Operational Plan to cater to the needs of a growing population.”
He said areas suited for future long-term residential growth are to the west, north and east of Bathurst.
