Unveiling the Truth: Melbourne’s Population Boom: What 9 Million People by 2050 Means for Property Investors – With Brett Warren
Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Release Date: 06/02/2025
Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast
We’re now on the brink of what could be the biggest shake-up to the Australian tax system since the GST was introduced back in 2000. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has signalled that tax reform is not just on the agenda - it’s a priority. But what kind of reform are we really talking about here? If you dig beneath the headlines, this isn’t just about closing loopholes, it’s about reshaping how wealth is taxed and redistributed in a very different economic and demographic Australia. Whether you're a business owner, property investor, or self-funded retiree, you may be directly in the...
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Today, women live longer than men, but retire with far less money. And despite all the progress we've made, Australia's gender wealth gap remains stubbornly wide. Today I'm joined by Sarah Megginson, money expert and Head of Editorial at Finder, to unpack the insights from their 2025 State of Women’s Wealth Report. We explore why women continue to fall behind financially, what drives the wealth gap beyond pay inequality, and most importantly, what women (and men) can do about it. You might be thinking, "Well, I’m not a woman — why does this affect me?" I think you really should...
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The Australian property market has been anything but predictable in recent years - booms, corrections, interest rate hikes, and a housing supply crisis have kept everyone on their toes. But what lies ahead? In today’s episode I’m joined by Dr Nicola Powell, Chief of Research and Economics at Domain, to unpack their latest Price Forecast Report for the 2025–26 financial year. This isn't just another forecast - we take a deep dive into how affordability, population growth, government incentives, and even the psychology of homebuyers will shape our markets in the year ahead. Whether...
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We’ve all heard the phrase “rent money is dead money,” right? But is it really? As property prices surge and affordability challenges mount—especially for younger Australians—a growing number of people are turning to an alternative path: rentvesting. That’s where you rent the home you live in and invest in a property elsewhere. Is this just a clever workaround, or is it a genuinely smart wealth-building strategy? In today’s episode I’m joined once again by Stuart Wemyss to explore this in depth. And even if you’re not particularly interested in rentvesting, I’m sure many of...
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Did you know that for the first 15 years of your mortgage, you're working mostly for the taxman, not your future wealth? It’s a startling claim, but one backed by data from the Housing Industry Association — and it sheds new light on why housing affordability is getting worse, not better. Today, I’m joined by Tim Reardon, Chief Economist at the HIA, to unpack this extraordinary insight. We explore how government taxes and regulatory charges are silently front-loading the cost of home ownership, inflating house prices, and burdening Aussie families before they’ve even laid a brick. And...
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If you’re a property investor, I have an important question for you… When was the last time you thought seriously about your property manager? If you think their main job is collecting the rent and organising tradies when something breaks, I’ve got news for you—things have changed dramatically. In fact, the world of residential property management has been turned on its head in the last five years. New legislation, shifting tenant expectations, work-from-home dynamics, and rapid tech adoption mean that managing your investment property is no longer a simple job you can entrust to just...
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If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing a game of property monopoly in Australia, but someone else got to pass “Go” decades before you and now owns half the board, you’re not imagining it. That “someone else”? It's the Baby Boomers. They’ve won the property game in Australia. Not just because they got in early, but because the rules of the game have increasingly worked in their favour, at the expense of younger generations. Today leading demographer Simon Kuestenmacher and I chat about whether the Baby Boomers really did have it easier or not, as well as how younger generations...
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Today, I want to talk about something that’s really flying under the radar—but it shouldn’t be. Imagine being taxed on money you haven’t actually earned. Not on rent you’ve received, not on a capital gain you’ve banked, but just on the increase in value of an asset you still hold. Sounds crazy, right? Well, that’s exactly what the federal government’s proposed new tax on superannuation above $3 million aims to do—taxing unrealised capital gains. And while they say it’ll only affect a handful of wealthy Australians today, the truth is—because that $3 million cap...
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Have you ever wondered if property development could be your next big wealth accelerator? You’ve probably heard the success stories – investors who’ve turned modest sites into multimillion-dollar assets by building just two townhouses. But what you don’t often hear about are the sleepless nights, the missteps, the cost overruns, the unexpected council headaches, or the “learning experiences” that chew up profit and time. Today, I’m joined by Greg Hankinson – Director of Metropole’s Project Development Division. Greg has almost 3 decades of experience managing...
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Imagine this… You’ve got a strong property portfolio, you're working hard, and the market is looking good. Then – boom – life throws you a curveball. Maybe it’s a job loss, a health issue, or a tenant stops paying rent for months. What now? Most investors panic. But the savvy ones? They just lean on their financial buffer – a quiet little fund sitting in the background that buys them something more valuable than money: time. In this podcast episode of the Michael Yardney Podcast, Brett Warren and I discuss the critical importance for property investors of having a financial...
info_outlineImagine a Melbourne the size of New York City.
Yes, really.That’s the trajectory we’re on.
By 2050, Melbourne’s population is projected to swell to 9 million people, making it not just Australia’s biggest city by population, but potentially one of the most dynamic urban economies in the world.
This isn't some abstract urban planning fantasy—it’s based on official projections and a strategic blueprint - Plan Melbourne - backed by trends in migration, births, and economic transformation.
So what does this mean for our housing market—and for savvy investors?
In today’s podcast, Brett Warren and I discuss the changing landscape of Melbourne's property market, driven by significant population growth and urban planning initiatives.
We explore the implications of these changes for property investors, emphasizing the importance of understanding infrastructure developments, the concept of 20-minute neighborhoods, and the need for medium density housing.
Takeaways
· Melbourne's population is projected to reach 9 million by 2050.
· Infrastructure development is crucial for property growth.
· 20-minute neighbourhoods will enhance livability and property values.
· Investors should focus on areas with strong fundamentals.
· Medium density housing is essential for accommodating growth.
· Understanding local council regulations is key for development.
· Investors should seek properties with owner-occupier appeal.
· Long-term investment strategies are vital for success.
· Now is a prime time for property investment in Melbourne.
Chapters
00:00 Melbourne's Population Boom: A New Era
00:29 Implications for Property Investors
01:22 Melbourne's Population Surge
04:06 The Impact of Migration on Melbourne
06:57 Infrastructure and Urban Planning Challenges
09:46 The Concept of 20-Minute Neighborhoods
12:33 Game-Changing Infrastructure Projects
15:22 Medium Density Housing Solutions
18:04 Investment Opportunities in Melbourne
20:46 Long-Term Investment Strategies
23:36 Avoiding Common Investment Mistakes
Links and Resources:
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan Click here and have a chat with us.
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here
Brett Warren - National Director of Property at Metropole
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Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.