Gentrification.

Mechanic: gentrification typically follows a predictable arc. Initial creative / cultural-class arrival, boutique-retail and cafe density rise, demographic shift in census data, real-estate-agent campaigns redirect, property values trend upward. The full arc is 5-10 years. Signal-to-peak lag means investors with primary-source-tracked tier-1 signals (rezoning approval, mass-transit announcement) can position 2-5 years before the price-acceleration phase.

Tier-1 signals (most reliable, public, dated): LGA Local Environmental Plan amendment approving higher-density zoning, state-government mass-transit station announcement, university or hospital expansion approval, signature creative-industry tenant move-in.

Tier-2 signals (5-10 yr horizon): cafe and boutique-retail count increase, rental-listing rate of increase, building-approval volume, listing-marketing budget redirection. ABS census-track demographic shift (income and education) is the most rigorous proxy.

Tier-3 signals (early, too early to invest): single creative-influencer move-in, foodie / street-art recognition, listicle 'next hot suburb' coverage. Many false positives. Rely on tier-1 and tier-2 for capital allocation.