David Morrison
Housing Market Researcher
M.Urban Planning Melbourne, MPIA
About
David is a housing market researcher who tracks supply pipelines, demographic shifts, and regional cost variations across Australia. His academic background in urban planning combined with 10 years of industry research gives him a unique lens on how policy decisions, infrastructure investment, and population growth translate into construction cost changes at the suburb level. He maintains the market analysis datasets used across the Lead Machine network.
Areas of Expertise
Professional Experience
Produces market analysis content across BuildBudget, RooLoans, and CrocLeads. Maintains quarterly construction cost forecasting models using ABS, CoreLogic, and HIA data.
Led residential construction pipeline research for Victoria. Published quarterly housing supply reports used by state government and industry.
Economic modelling for infrastructure and housing projects. Contributed to National Housing Supply Council submissions and state planning reviews.
Key Achievements
- Published 20+ quarterly housing supply reports for the Property Council of Australia
- Contributed research to the Victorian Government's Plan Melbourne 2050 housing strategy
- Best Paper Award, Australasian Housing Researchers Conference 2021: "Suburb-Level Construction Cost Drivers in Melbourne's Growth Corridors"
Publications
- Suburb-Level Construction Cost Drivers in Melbourne's Growth Corridors Australasian Housing Researchers Conference, 2021
- Housing Pipeline vs Population Growth: Are We Building Enough? Property Council Quarterly Review, 2023
- Infrastructure-Led Cost Escalation in Olympic Host Cities Urban Policy and Research, 2024
Education & Qualifications
Articles by David Morrison
- NCC 2025 Transition: Builders Face Dual Code Challenges from May 1 Australia's building sector entered a complex transition on May 1, 2026, as states started adopting NCC 2025, creating a tricky dual-code environment. Builders must navigate varied regional timings and new requirements for energy efficiency and livable housing. 13 May 2026
- NCC 2025 Victoria: What Builders MUST Know About Lead-Free Plumbing Victoria mandates lead-free plumbing under NCC 2025 from May 1, 2026. What builders must know to ensure compliance and avoid costly penalties. 28 April 2026
- HIA Demands Urgent Action on Australia's Housing Crisis & Barriers The HIA warns housing supply will suffer unless governments remove construction barriers. Builders face rising costs and complex regulations in 2026. 27 April 2026
- Australia's Property Market: Sydney & Melbourne Ease, WA Surges Sydney and Melbourne growth eases while WA and Queensland surge. How builders can adapt regional strategies to capture genuine demand in 2026. 24 April 2026
Also contributes to