“You walk around the streets now and it seems like every time you go, another slab has been poured, another house has gone up,” she said.

“It seems like a new home is going up all the time.”

Ms Telford’s suspicion is spot on.

The latest figures show the city is expanding outwards at a rapid rate - in fact, the urban sprawl is one of the highest in regional NSW.

According to the Real Estate Institute of NSW, there was more than $46 million invested in small land parcels in the Wagga area from September to November last year.

The reason: council is rezoning land and developers are buying up.

“Estella Rise had a launch party for stage three, but 50 of the 56 lots had already sold,” Wagga property valuer Christopher Egan said. “They are going very well.”

Mr Egan, who is the director of Egan Valuers, said the average price at Estella Rise was $125,000, while prospective homeowners were paying an average of $115,00 for a block at Brunslea Park.

Along with Lloyd and Lloyd West, they make up the biggest housing developments in Wagga. 

Tatton has reached capacity and Bourkelands is close to shutting with limited available supply.

Mr Egan said the developments were in a low-bracket market that appealed to first-home buyers and those wanting to upgrade.

“A few commentators have mentioned that they are too cheap,” he said. “The supply and demand leverage indicate they haven’t adjusted to the market properly.”

Property data shows that at the start of the year the Wagga real estate market experienced a spike in property sales.

Mr Egan said he believed Wagga’s cyclical population – aided by the university and defence bases – was leading to growth in new development areas.

“Parents are buying homes for their uni student son or daughter,” he said. “They are there for three or four years and it’s a good investment for them.”

Ms Telford said the challenge of building her own home was worth it in the end.

“It’s nice to be able to pick things how you want them the first time,” she said. “It’s had its moments but worth it to be in a place that’s open and a nice, safe community.”