Findings from an independant market research report prepared by National Property Research Company for Kula Beach Shacks in August 2008.

“The Sunshine Coast is the third fastest growing regional Statistical District in Australia at 3.5% per annum with a current estimated population of 294,000. To this extent the Sunshine Coast also outranks the well known Gold Coast / Tweed District which has grown as the slightly lower 3.4% per annum for the past five years. This soaring growth is primarily fuelled by strong migration and economic investment at a State and Local Government level.

“Those (properties) that are located east of David Low Way are becoming increasingly rare and highly desirable to the buying public. Beachside destinations such as Kula Beach Shacks will resonate with those people seeking the sea change lifestyle in environmentally sensitive accommodation.”

“Despite the cooling of the economy, price growth has continued in the Coolum Beach area in 2008, largely due to its favourable locational attributes. Typically those (townhouses or similar product) located within walking distance of the sea are priced well above $500,000.”

“Those suburbs to the east of David Low Way are continually under greater demand. It was found that the five year annual rental growth rate for these areas is 8.8% and 10.35% for three and four bedroom properties respectively. Further enhancing the long term attractiveness of the site is the limited potential for future supply in the area.”

“The Sunshine Coast outperforms the majority of its competitor regions with respect to holiday rentals, with Maroochy achieving an average annual occupancy rate of 61.2%, compared with 60.0% for Noosa.”