T hree years of higher interest rates, rising cost-of-living pressures, growing homelessness rates, skyrocketing rents and limited housing supply has created a national housing affordability crisis in Australia. Many are locked out of the housing market in the capital cities – and they have been turning to regional centres in droves.

These people aren’t all after a tree change. They just want a home they can afford with access to the services that they need, within commuting distance of a major city. They want a satellite city.

Investing in satellite cities – regional centres with populations of more than 100,000 – is the first point in a regional housing strategy unveiled at the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Regional Housing Roundtable in Bendigo last month. The HIA’s CEO of ind

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