Hervey Bay’s property market is already under pressure—population growth is running ahead of housing supply, approvals are slow, and affordability is slipping. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is about to step in and change the rules. The question is: are we ready?
AI can already crunch data faster than any consultant. Imagine planning approvals that take weeks instead of months, valuations that update in real time, or chatbots answering tenant calls at midnight. By some estimates, a third of all property management and admin tasks could be automated within five years. That means fewer headaches for landlords and councils—but also a serious rethink of where the human jobs sit.
It’s not just management. In planning, AI can read through thousands of public submissions and spit out summaries in hours. In construction, it can detect design flaws before a brick is laid. And in sales, predictive tools will help builders and agents know exactly which product types buyers want before they even hit the market.
But let’s not kid ourselves—buyers still need trust. No algorithm can shake your hand at an open home or calm your nerves before settlement. The human factor will stay, but the way we work will change.
For Hervey Bay, this shift could be a chance to get ahead. If our council, industry, and community lean into AI now—training staff, modernising planning systems, and setting clear rules—we could speed up supply and create smarter housing options. If we ignore it, we risk being left behind.
So here’s the debate: will AI be the tool that unlocks better housing for the Fraser Coast—or another shiny toy that leaves us arguing while the shortage grows?
