100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

More city slickers are moving to the Sunshine Coast and bringing their businesses

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

High-rise proposed to ‘transform’ entertainment strip

A luxury 12-storey development – inspired by an umbrella – has been proposed for Maroochydore’s busy night-time precinct. It would be the first of its More

Prominent beach holiday park on the market

A large, well-established holiday park near the beach has attracted plenty of attention from prospective buyers. The Golden Beach Holiday Park at 9 Onslow Street More

‘No better place to B’: community claims national award

A relatively new Sunshine Coast over-50s community has claimed a national award for innovative housing and active living. B by Halcyon, by developer Stockland, received More

Master-designed waterfront residence exudes elegances

Nestled along the tranquil shores of the Mooloolah River lies a residence that embodies luxury living. Spread across 700sqm, this waterfront residence stands as a More

Leading architect unveils proposed Coast debut

One of Queensland's leading architectural companies says it hopes to make a splash with its first Sunshine Coast property after plans were revealed for More

Plans for 254-site bushland tourist park submitted

A development application has been lodged for a “bushland-oriented” tourist park with more than 250 sites on the Sunshine Coast. The proposed park would include More

Australians are being urged to move to regional areas as part of a national campaign but for the Sunshine Coast the change is already happening.

The Regional Australia Institute ‘Move to More’ campaign wants city-dwellers to view regions as an attractive and viable alternative where there are more opportunities for an affordable lifestyle and better work-life balance.

It’s an approach the Sunshine Coast Council has been promoting for many years and one which is gradually delivering good and challenging outcomes.

RAI chief economist Dr Kim Houghton reports advertised job vacancies have changed during the last 10 years with “a steady decline in low skilled jobs and steady rise in high skilled jobs”.

“A great sign of diversification into higher value industries,” he adds.

Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance chair Wallis Westbrook notes he is seeing a range of professional service business owners moving to the Coast and bringing their families with them.

The ripple effect is more opportunities for local employment. “They are taking on rent of commercial premises, offices or retail space which produces extra dollars into the economy,” Mr Westbrook says.

“We know that is causing some issues with housing, and rent particularly, but we see that migration as a good thing as it helps us build a stronger economy and will attract more people to the Coast.”

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article 

Project Urban managing director Andrew Stevens says the current migration numbers “are starting to go through the roof”.

But he also adds: “We haven’t been supplying enough property on the Coast for the last five years” which is now reflected in the sale prices and rental returns.

As a consequence, the pressure on the residential market is set to stay.

“As demand remains high, property prices will only go one way,” Mr Stevens adds.

Neither Mr Westbrook nor Sunshine Coast Business Council chair Sandy Zubrinich see the demographic change as solely a result of COVID.

“The Coast has been experiencing above the State average growth rate for really a long time,” Ms Zubrinich says.

Apart from an attractive and more affordable lifestyle, the Coast’s significant infrastructure investment, the international broadband cable connectivity opportunities, entrepreneur support and transport access are proving powerful attractions for business owners.

Ms Zubrinich adds the proposals for a food and beverage manufacturing hub, and the airport developing a freight and logistics hub, will provide further economic stimulus and employment for the Coast.

[scn_go_back_button] Return Home

Subscribe to SCN’s daily news email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.