In a recent article for the Australian literary journal Quadrant, architectural historian Philip Drew wrote that most of us, at some time, had toyed with the fantasy of “swapping a stressful city existence for a sensual carefree existence close to the surf”.
According to ABS data, more than 80 per cent of the population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast, making us one of the world’s most urbanised coastal dwelling populations. But, of course, only a lucky few can lay claim to a beachside dwelling – a home within easy walking distance of sand and surf.
Sunshine Coast buyer’s agent Ann Lindner of Property Business says spending time at the beach is an integral part of the great Australian dream.
“[You can] take the kids, the dogs and boogie boards, eat fish and chips and stay for the day,” she says. “Nearly everyone has childhood memories of holidays at the beach and now they have families of their own and they want them to experience it too.”
Stockland senior development manager Matt Patullo says a visit to the beach always leaves him in a good frame of mind.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to live next to,” he says. “Living near the beach promotes physical activity and general well-being in addition to the benefit of having a beautiful environment in which to spend quality time with family and friends.”
Lindner says most of her clients are keen to live on or close to the beach, and/or have water views.
“Particularly expats or retiree clients who want to walk to the beach, be it from a unit or a house, and they have the funds to purchase them,” she says.
Lindner says the Sunshine Coast offers 60 kilometres of pristine beaches, stretching north from Caloundra to Noosa. “[We’ve got] surf beaches, calm beaches, walking beaches and dog beaches,” she says. “There’s something to suit everyone both in style and budget.”
Lindner says quality properties sell quickly and usually attract multiple offers.
Stockland’s Bokarina Beach is a case in point with about one-third of the current release of 35 beach homes already sold. Set a 400-metre walk from the beach with lake and park views, the homes have been designed by Ellivo with high-quality finishes and a coastal aesthetic.
Patullo says the employment opportunities offered by the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre are almost as compelling a drawcard as the gorgeous beachside location.
“There’s not many locations where you can live affordably within proximity to beautiful beaches and be close to employment,” he says. “It’s a really unique proposition before you even start talking about the homes themselves.”
Patullo says the strong appetite for beachside homes has Stockland very optimistic about the next stage of releases at Bokarina Beach.
“This is one of the last releases [of beachfront land in the Sunshine Coast] of such a scale and it’s a unique opportunity to really craft an amazing community,” he says. “You’ve got access to jobs, lifestyle, beaches, entertainment and leisure precincts which are key in nurturing a highly liveable and thriving community.”
With a limit to the number of beachside properties available both now and in future coastal development around the country, it’s little wonder established properties are slow to change hands and often claim record prices and bold headlines.
Last year four of Queensland’s top six residential sales were beachfront homes, and included the Sunshine Beach home of tennis great Pat Rafter, who has moved to another coastal gem, Byron Bay.
As Philip Drew concludes in his book The Coast Dwellers: Australians Living on the Edge, “it is the coast, not the central heart of the continent, that has shaped the Australian identity”.
Source: www.domain.com.au