A block of dirt in the middle of a construction site was not initially Zara Simmons' idea of home ownership, but it's as close as the lawyer can get.
Her 336-square-metre subdivision in Ipswich, just west of Brisbane, is one of hundreds of new developments popping up across the region.
The 27-year-old paid just shy of $750,000 for her combined land and new house build.
"I got very lucky with only needing a 10 per cent deposit and even then, it scraped the edge of the barrel of my savings," she said.
Zara Simmons didn’t initially want to buy in Ipswich but said it was her only option. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)
Having lived in Brisbane for several years, Ms Simmons didn't initially warm to the idea of Ipswich, but was willing to compromise on location to get on the property ladder.
"In this economy, it's very, very hard no matter who you are," she said.
Greater Ipswich was once considered the affordable alternative to Brisbane — five years ago the median house price was $385,429.
Thousands of homes are being constructed in new housing estates in Ipswich. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
But since the COVID boom, house values have soared by more than 80 per cent.
The median house price in Ipswich is now $698,083, according to CoreLogic figures.
It's left many wondering: if they can't live in the once affordable areas, where else is there left to go?
Housing estates at risk of becoming 'ghost cities'
The city of Ipswich was once considered the jewel in the crown of regional Queensland, with fashionable boutiques and exotic cafes lining the main drag.
"I remember walking up Nicholas Street and there used to be a small goods shop called Berries … you could smell Berries walking up the street," Toni Risson, a long-time resident recalled.
The working-class city fell into disarray with the collapse of the local mining industry in the 1970s.
Tony Risson has seen Ipswich change over the decades. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
Since then, the local council and state government have tried to revitalise the region, encouraging more housing and business development.
But locals say the city's charm and identity never quite resurfaced.
"You lose some things, you can't get them back, we'll never get Nicholas Street back," Ms Risson said.
In recent years the region has undergone a major boom as more families head west, pushed out of the Brisbane housing market.
Researchers say as housing estates rapidly pop up, infrastructure and public transport need greater investment.
Tony Risson says Ipswich's CBD will never quite get its charm back. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
"[Ipswich] doesn't get the same amount of funding as lots of other local government areas … we're behind in terms of transport funding," Professor Anthony Kimpton, a lecturer in urban planning at the University of Southern Queensland said.
Professor Kimpton said some new developments risked becoming "ghost cities" — sprawling housing estates deserted due to a lack of infrastructure like public transport.
"We really need to make places appealing for everyone to live," he said.
Big election promises
Housing affordability has shaped up as one of the biggest issues affecting Queenslanders ahead of the October state election.
Both Labor and the LNP have pledged major investments, with premier Steven Miles committing to build 53,500 new homes for social housing, alongside purchasing existing rental properties to provide affordable homes.
Both sides of politics have pledged major housing investments. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
The LNP said they will honour that commitment if elected, and will build an additional 10,000 new affordable homes on available vacant land.
Meanwhile, the Greens said they will create a public property development to build 100,000 new homes over the next six years, available to rent or buy at below market prices.
Many still falling through cracks
Despite the big promises, community groups warn many residents in areas like Ipswich are still falling through the cracks.
Jason Budden runs the charity Ipswich Assist, which provides discounted groceries for locals struggling to get by.
Jason Budden provides discounted groceries for Ipswich locals. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
As the cost of living and housing prices soar, the long-time resident said many old timers simply can't afford to live in Ipswich for much longer.
"We're seeing a lot more of those mums and dads … coming to see us just to make ends meet," he said.
"People are actually moving from Ipswich to other places … because it's a little bit cheaper."
Community groups say Ipswich locals are being pushed out of the area. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
Mr Budden said if there wasn't greater investment in more affordable housing for middle-income families, they could be lost to other areas.
"Ipswich as a whole is a wonderful city … however, we don't want to lose our people to other places," he said.
"So if the government … could do anything to keep our middle class people in town, I would back that 100 per cent."
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