For decades South-East Queensland’s lifestyle has lured many southerners northwards with its promises of mild winters, world-class beaches and a generally more laidback way of living.

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And while its countless lifestyle attributes are highly appealing, there are also many investment fundamentals that make South-East Queensland stack up.

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As a residential developer focused on the region, and down into northern New South Wales, here are three reasons (we could give you 33!) we think you can’t go past this part of the world.

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1.      A fast growing population

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By 2046 South-East Queensland expects to be home to nearly six million people – that’s an increase of almost 2.2 million, according to the Queensland Government.

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Almost 500,000 of those will move into Brisbane, increasing the population to1,721,000 by 2046, while the Gold Coast will experience the largest population growth of between 216,000 to almost 500,000people to reach up to 1,130,000 over the same period.

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Population growth in Queensland over the next decade will comprise 30 per cent from natural growth, 30 per cent from internal arrivals and 40 per cent from international migration.

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And it’s no secret that the region experienced a population boom during the pandemic years.

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2.      Strong investment in infrastructure

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Thankfully with all this population growth, the region is investing heavily in its own big build program, funding a range of major infrastructure projects, new developments and of course rezoning for residential property.

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Some of this is to gear up for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, but it is also to cater for the area’s growth will benefit regions beyond the capital city.

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The Queensland Government has committed to a record $88.7 billion four-year state-wide building program including a $20.3 billion Big Build capital investment.

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As the deputy premier Steven Miles said: “We are in our decade of opportunity. We have a strong economy. We have a 10-year pipeline of infrastructure projects in the lead up to and beyond Brisbane 2032. And we are creating good, secure jobs in the key industries that will help us decarbonise.”

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Major projects underway or in planning include:

_Cross River Rail, a 10.2km rail line between Dutton Park and Bowen Hills including a twin tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD, including four new stations, operational 2025

_Queen’s Wharf Entertainment Precinct, this $3.6 billion precinct will include four luxury hotels, more than50 new bars and restaurants, 2000 residential apartments, new walks and bike paths and extensive green space when completed in 2024

_Brisbane Live, a $2 billion arena-centred entertainment precinct

_Waterfront Brisbane, which is the redevelopment of Eagle Street Pier precinct to become a tourism and leisure destination with new towers, open space and an enhanced riverwalk

_Brisbane Metro, a 21km service that connects 18 stations, creating a more integrated public transport network

_Brisbane Green Bridges Program, which creates new connections to the CBD from Kangaroo Point and a range of other locations

_Gold Coast Light Rail expansion from Broadbeach to Coolangatta, currently under development

_Coomera Connector, South-East Queensland’s largest road infrastructure project to deliver a new motorway, currently in planning

_A range of transport projects on the Sunshine Coast include a proposed new passenger rail line between Beerwah and Brisbane, Kawana Motorway as an alternative to the Bruce Highway and enhanced public transport links

3.      A rising cool class

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It isn’t all bus links, trains and new bridges though. At some point, South-East Queensland became cool.

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While you can still find a parma and pot at a surf club where the preferred footwear is thongs, high quality culinary options, experienced chefs and hatted restaurants are just as common today.

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Go south of the border to Paper Daisy in Cabarita, or sink some cocktails at Siblings in Kirra and you’ll be impressed by not just the views, but the food and service too. Fortitude Valley is home to Agnes Restaurant, hatted, and is just a stone’s throw from the uber cool Howard Smith Wharves – a must.

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Avant garde art, experimental design and ultra cool destinations abound – who can go past James Street and The Calile? The Sunshine Coast has its own set too, from the classic Hastings Street haunts to newer venues in less known locations like The Doonan in the hinterland.

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We could also talk about the surf, the sport, ever increasing property prices and supply and demand, but you get it. SEQ isn’t just having its moment in the sun, it’s a market set to stay strong.

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