The proposed $14 billion of new infrastructure projects will provide an extra dimension of demand for industrial property, according to agents.
These include the the $11.5 billion WestConnex project, which will connect Western Sydney with the airport/Port Botany, the $3 billion F3 – M2 tunnel link and a potential second airport.
Demand for warehouse storage space near the new roads and intermodal hubs, has seen land values rise. This is compounded by the increasing need for residential land in the same areas.
This has prompted some analysts to speculate that Goodman could look at putting some of its land near the new infrastructure up for sale to housing developers.
Goodman Group’s chief executive, Greg Goodman, has said the group has one of the biggest developable land banks in the country.
According to new research by CBRE, in its 2014 industrial MarketView report for the three months to June, the commitment from the federal and state governments to undertake major infrastructure projects in Sydney will provide a strong base growth for the surrounding industrial market.
By the end of 2014, 600,000 square metres of new supply over 5000 sqm is forecast to be added to the state's capital industrial market.
CBRE research manager, Mark Lafferty, said the scheduling of key infrastructure projects would provide a welcome boost of confidence to the sector.
“While there is some uncertainty around the funding for some projects, the strategic direction and priority appear to be clear,” Mr Lafferty said.
CBRE national director, industrial brokerage, Jason Edge said the logistics sector was the biggest growth pocket of the market.
“Whilst far western Sydney continues to be the major focus for greenfield development, more central locations such as Chullora and Rosehill have seen strong demand with over 117,000 sqm leased in this precinct year-to-date,” Mr Edge said.
Michael Fenton, JLL’s Australian head of industrial said investment activity has also been solid, with allocated capital to the sector estimated to typically exceed available product by a ratio of 5:1.
He said there has been $1.6 billion in industrial sales year-to-date 2014, well up on the $1.18 billion in the same period in 2013.
Industrial property sales in the second quarter this year were $874 million, led by activity in Melbourne and Sydney, though sales activity has again been robust in all cities this year.
‘‘The average sale price in 2014 of $18.4 million per sale follows on from the record of $21 million per sale set in 2013. This indicates that there is good depth in the market for larger assets that have been more prevalent since the middle of 2013,’’ Mr Fenton said.
