Melbourne was given the mantle ‘the most locked-down city in Australia' during the pandemic, but its new legacy is a boom in industrial real estate as it draws a wave of businesses building and leasing warehouses.

For many businesses, Sydney was top of the list. But as companies hold onto more stock as part of their post-COVID supply chain strategies, and their property requirements grow, Melbourne’s lower land prices and population growth are proving major drawcards.

An address in the Victorian capital is now a key concern for businesses smarting from the lockdown experience, which saw businesses struggling to import stock into the country and between cities and states, says Richard Phillips, JLL’s head of ANZ supply chain.

“Historically, companies stored everything in Sydney warehouses because you can easily get to Melbourne overnight, and supply chains typically rely on overnight service,” said Phillips. “But since COVID-19, most companies are increasing their inventory holding onshore by 25%-30%. This is helping drive stability into their supply chains, which became challenged.”

Investors buy up

Melbourne warehouse sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 at A$482.8 million more than doubled the 10-year quarterly average of A$228.9 million, according to JLL research. This was on the back of a record-breaking third quarter of $897.5 million in sales, buoyed by a $300 million sale by super-fund backed developer ISPT as well as a $150 million purchase of the Vegemite and Bega Factory, 5 kms from downtown Melbourne, by U.S. group Hines.

In December, the shopping spree continued when ISPT bought 122,000 square metres on the key Princes Highway in Dandenong South to develop a logistics estate for e-commerce and essential manufacturing.

2022 was “probably the biggest year we’ve had,” said Tim Jackson, ISPT’s Industrial team general manager, who oversees a portfolio valued at $2.5 billion. “For the past 12 months we have seen returns of 29%, and over three years it’s been more than 20% per annum.”

Occupier demand for new buildings in the form of pre-lease and design and construction commitments are also strong. With occupier demand outpacing supply, rents are on the ascendency too, costing $112 per sqm in the Melbourne West precinct up 24.3 per cent in the past 12 months.

This article was published 09 March 2023 on www.jll.com.au