Image courtesy: REIQ
In coming years, Queensland's Scenic Rim region will present growing residential and commercial opportunities as it attracts an ever-increasing number of people seeking to escape both high property prices and the southern states.
Just one hour's drive south-west of Brisbane and directly west of the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim region is home to the thriving country towns of Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra, Kalbar, Kooralbyn, Rathdowney and Aratula.
The winter edition of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland's (REIQ) research publication, Queensland Property & Lifestyle, explores the Scenic Rim's attraction for people looking for a rural lifestyle within commutable distance of major centres.
"Residents enjoy the small country towns and villages with their mix of traditional and alternative forms of rural business and industry," Queensland Property & Lifestyle editor Lauren Cameron says.
"Yet plans for the rapidly expanding industrial and residential corridor and the State Development Area at Bromelton indicate the area can expect to attract more than 260,000 people over the next 30 years. This raises questions about where they will all live and what investment opportunities will arise."
The median house price in the former Beaudesert Local Government Area (part of the new Scenic Rim Regional Council area) has seen an average annual growth of 12.4% over the last 10 years, with the median coming in at $365,000 in the 12 months to the end of March.
Infrastructure issues and challenges
The Scenic Rim region looks set to benefit from a significant length of the Brisbane to Sydney rail line, and part of the Inland Rail Route. The Mt Lindesay Highway will also potentially form part of the national highway system, linking Queensland to New South Wales and Victoria.
Major planned urban centres
Bromelton: A strategic location for major manufacturing operations and industries requiring access to rail transport will see significant commercial and industrial development.
Beaudesert: Nestled between the Birnam Range and the Logan River, 64 km south of Brisbane and 72 km inland from the Gold Coast, is the major regional hub of the Scenic Rim Regional Council and will become home to over 30,000 people. This population growth is largely driven by employment growth at nearby Bromelton.
Flagstone: Home to more than 60,000 people with a major retail and business centre and a teaching hospital, is a transit-oriented community positioned on the South East Queensland Rail Network (an extension of the current Brisbane Rail Network).
Yarrabilba: Will have an economy focused on its environmental business cluster, its city centre, the hospitality industry, along with sport and recreation. It will provide a centre for major sporting venues for the region and its campus of the regional university will offer courses that reflect this role. It will become home to over 52,000 people in the next 30 years.
