Maitland is one of the most sought after growth corridors in all of Australia at the moment.
On a macro level, it’s predicted to have 2.5 times the state average population growth over the next decade. It’s a very fast growing area.
We’ll start to see supply increase and the rental market be saturated. Vacancy rates will increase and that market will start to diminish. There’s a huge demand out there even though supply levels can be high at times. People are basically doubling their money if they buy in the right suburb.
Maitland location and infrastructure overview
Maitland is just outside of Newcastle, roughly a half hour drive depending on where you’re going, but that’s going to become shorter with the infrastructure projects underway. Maitland has had significant infrastructure spending over the past five years, with more to accommodate population growth.
Anyone who wants the official report I’ve done internally for this, it’s a 56-page document, which you can download here.
Looking beyond the LGA: suburb-level analysis
Many people just look at an area on an LGA level instead of suburb-specific. For example, commuter corridors and infrastructure influence Newcastle and the Maitland market differently. Buying in Lovedale or Rutherford won’t be affected the same way as other suburbs by the M1 freeway and Hexham bypass extension.
At a high level, Maitland has 43,000 dwellings for a 90,000 population. Supply and demand are currently balanced, but with population growth at two and a half times the state average, that will change.
Maitland has experienced:
- 11% growth over the past 12 months
- 114% growth over the past 10 years
- Less than one month of property supply
- 1.3% vacancy rate
Suburb performance and growth trends
Buying in the right suburb can have a huge impact on your investment. Here are some of the areas where people have really benefited recently:
- Chisholm: 220% growth in 10 years
- Established suburbs: ~180%
- South Maitland and Medowie: ~90%
Owner-occupied vs rental markets
Owner-occupied dominated markets include Windella, Balwarra, Balwarra Heights and Louth Park, with 3–10% rental market. Understanding buyer preferences is crucial.
Investor-heavy areas include Farley and Maitland with 50% rental markets. Farley has new land releases and duplexes from $700k, but vacancy rates are around 4.5%, making it a saturated rental market.
Beresfield market insight
Beresfield (technically Newcastle LGA but Maitland adjacent) has had 17% growth in 12 months and 170% over 10 years. Many granny flats are being built, potentially saturating the rental market.
Suburb-level property demand
- Aberglasslyn, Ashtonfield, East Maitland: less than one month of supply
- Woodberry, Telarah, Morpeth: 15 days on market
- Windella, Louth Park, Largs: 80 days
Two million-dollar homes are harder to sell than $5M homes due to affordability issues.
Vacancy rates in Maitland
- Farley: 4.63%, avoid as an investor
- Tenambit, Ashtonfield, Maitland: 0.2–0.3%, extremely low, high demand
Non-residential infrastructure impact
- Maitland Hospital: 150 new beds, near East Maitland
- East Maitland rezoned for transport-oriented development and low to medium rise zoning changes
- M1 Freeway upgrade and Hexham bypass extension will reduce commute times significantly