Why Brisbane’s Southside is becoming a smart bet

As property investors look beyond traditional hotspots, Brisbane’s southside is quietly emerging as a strategic location for long-term growth.

Suburbs like Upper Mount Gravatt, located just 11km from the CBD, are drawing increasing interest thanks to a unique mix of infrastructure and amenity.

The fundamentals driving this shift are clear: strong population growth, a chronic housing undersupply, and rising demand among renters for well-located, well-connected, energy-efficient homes.

South East Queensland is in a period of extraordinary growth.

By 2046, the population is expected to reach six million, requiring an additional 900,000 new homes.

A hidden gem

Upper Mount Gravatt is one of the suburbs poised to benefit. With Westfield Garden City, Griffith University, multiple hospitals, and major busway connections nearby, it offers both lifestyle and convenience.

This proximity to education, retail, and employment hubs is especially attractive to the growing cohort of renters - many of whom are young professionals and students - seeking access to the city without the inner-city price tag. Recent data shows the local apartment market is strengthening, with median unit prices up over 11 per cent in the past 12 months and 16.5 per cent in the year prior.

With vacancy rates hovering around 1 per cent or less and rental yields consistently outperforming Brisbane averages, the area is attracting investors looking for both capital growth and strong cash flow.

Is buying off-the-plan a smart move?

Off-the-plan purchases have long appealed to investors seeking early access and lower entry prices.

When timed with infrastructure upgrades and housing shortages, they can deliver strong capital growth - often during the period between going to contract and final settlement post completion.

Caution has been understandable in recent years, following a wave of builder and developer insolvencies post-Covid.

Many buyers have opted to wait until later in the construction timeline before committing but the market is stabilising.

A growing number of experienced builders are once again offering fixed-price contracts, restoring confidence and reducing delivery risk. For investors, this marks a renewed window of opportunity in a recovering market.

Of course, due diligence remains critical. Investors should carefully review sunset clauses, specifications, and body corporate fees, and prioritise developments that offer long-term sustainability and liveability, not just surface appeal.

Cost of living and climate change

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are no longer just boardroom topics - they’re shaping real estate value on the ground.

Investors and tenants are increasingly drawn to energy-efficient developments, not just for ethical reasons, but for their clear financial benefits as well.

Features like rooftop solar, heat pump hot water, EV charging, and double glazing reduce running costs, attract quality tenants, and future-proof assets against evolving tenant expectations.

In today’s cost-of-living crisis, these efficiencies are essential.

Developments that help residents save on utilities aren’t just more liveable, they’re also more investable.

Neil Walker, Director, Propel Development Services, said The Collective Residences in Upper Mount Gravatt, reflected this shift.

“We’ve made sustainability and cost-efficiency core to the project - from rooftop solar linked to community power, a bulk electricity agreement estimated to cut residents’ bills by about 30 per cent, to double glazing, heat pump hot water, and EV charging.

“Suburbs like Upper Mount Gravatt sit at the intersection of infrastructure investment, green design, and rising tenant demand.

“By aligning with developments that embrace eco-conscious design and are located in undersupplied areas, investors can position themselves for strong performance in a rapidly evolving property landscape,” Mr Walker said.