Huge growth in metro bids
A POCKET in Far North Queensland has recorded a massive growth as residents stuck in lockdown in Sydney and Melbourne seek a regional sea or treechange, new data has revealed.
According to Regional Australia Institute (RAI) chief economist Kim Houghton, the September report of The Regional Movers Index showed that the Queensland local government area (LGA) of Douglas, which includes Port Douglas and Daintree, experienced the second-largest gain of 71 per cent in the number of metro movers for the year to September 30.
The report, which is a partnership between RAI and Commonwealth Bank, also showed that the number of capital city residents moving to regional areas rose two per cent during the September quarter, and three per cent from a year earlier.
The Douglas Shire was second to South Australian LGA Wattle Range, which neighbours Mt Gambier and
stretches from the coast, through the Coonawarra wine district, to the Victorian border. It experienced 83 per cent growth.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the influx of southern residents had been very noticeable.
“We have had over 1000 residential properties turnover in the last 12 months according to council staff who have processed the title searches,” he said.
“The rental market has now disappeared which is causing a lot of housing stress and AirBnB, one of our big pains, has taken a lot of rental properties out of the market.”
Cr Kerr said once the state opened up to tourists, the workers needed to keep tourism going would be unable to afford to live in the area.
“It’s going to be diabolical for people looking to rent here,” he said.
Raine & Horne Port Douglas Mossman agent Travis Schumacher said properties in the area were being snapped up, often by purchasers who had not been able to physically view the house.
“The market is incredible at the moment, residential sales are certainly very strong and a house on the market has multiple offers every time,” he said. “We have had southern buyers from Melbourne and NSW inspect properties via a remote tour.”
RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie said people living in country and coastal towns are also tending to stay put, rather than moving to capital cities, which has recorded a regional net migration jump of 14 per cent during the September quarter.