It’s a truth universally acknowledged: people buying and building new houses will invariably be in need of appliances. There is no greater indicator of strong appliances sales, especially major appliances, than a booming property market. Whether it’s young families buying their first home, empty-nesters downsizing or the nouveau riche looking to make the most of the the good times, houses being erected and homes changing hands is great news for appliance brands and retailers.

So where is the best place to be to capitalise on housing boom pockets? The housing industry’s official body is the HIA and it today released its hit list for the Top 20 Building and Population Hotspots, and it makes for great reading for Australian Capital Territory, Victorian and West Australian retailers. The news isn’t so good, however, for New South Wales and Queensland, while it’s very depressing reading for Tasmania and South Australia.

National Top 20 Building and Population Hotspots
(based on annual population growth rate)

  1. Crace ACT (58.1%)
  2. Bonner ACT (43.3%)
  3. Casey ACT (40.6%)
  4. Melbourne VIC (22.7%)
  5. Abbotsford VIC (19.7%)
  6. Forrestdale/Harrisdale /Piara Waters WA (19.1%)
  7. Cranbourne East VIC (16.5%)
  8. Baldivis WA (15.8%)
  9. Docklands VIC (15.3%)
  10. Yanchep WA (14.8%)
  11. Parklea/Kellyville Ridge NSW (13.3%)
  12. South Morang VIC (12.6%)
  13. Truganina VIC (11.0%)
  14. Cobbitty – Leppington NSW (10.8%)
  15. Ellenbrook WA (9.3%)
  16. Homebush Bay/Silverwater NSW (9.2%)
  17. Epping VIC (9.1%)
  18. Deeragun QLD (8.9%)
  19. North Lakes/Mango Hill QLD (8.8%)
  20. Point Cook VIC (8.7%)

With the Australian Capital Territory capturing the Top 3 spots on this survey, it’s great news for retailers in the nation’s capital. Quite remarkably, there is only one Harvey Norman outlet in the ACT, in Fyshwick, while there are two Bing Lees (Fyshwick and Belconnen) and three The Good Guys (Fyshwick, Belconnen and Tuggeranong). There are no Leading Appliances or Betta Home Living stores. The Appliance Gallery in Fyshwick appears to be the only premium, ‘showroom style’ dealer of appliances in the city.