Industrial sites in Melbourne’s northern suburbs continue to be snapped up quickly, with the caravan manufacturing industry a prominent player as Australians take to the roads to explore the country in greater numbers.

Fitzroys’ Deanna Zamora has leased 26 Colbert Road in Campbellfield to a tenant in the caravan manufacturing industry, on a five-year deal at $70,000 per annum plus outgoings and GST.

The 687sqm facility is on an Industrial 1-zoned site that offers easy access to Sydney Road, the Hume Freeway and M80 Ring Road.

Zamora said enquiry came from other businesses associated with caravan manufacturers, automotive industry tenants, manufacturer, building supplies businesses, and importers and exporters.

“We had an overwhelming response to the campaign, with close to 100 enquiries. The property was leased and occupied within two weeks of the beginning of the campaign.”

Fitzroys has also just leased 5/220 Barry Road in Campbellfield to an expanding company in the caravan industry looking to add to their existing premises nearby, in a deal that resulted in no downtime for the landlord.

“Caravan manufacturing businesses have been a growing source of enquiry in the industrial leasing market,” Zamora said.

“More people have been hitting the roads throughout the COVID period for a getaway. Flexible working has further increased the ability of Australians to travel with their caravans more often and find a sense of freedom,” Zamora said.

According to the Australian Caravan Club, the surge in caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes on the roads throughout the pandemic amounted to 1.7 million RV movements over this year’s Easter weekend.

Zamora said industrial vacancies across Melbourne remain at historic lows, with leasing outpacing long-term averages.