Sunshine Coast History by My Weekly Preview

FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2010

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HERITAGE OF THE COAST Yarns of a bygone era and old photos that will take you back in time.

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ISSUE 115

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cover story

The vision to create by Dorothy Drane

MPP winds the clock back 75 years and takes a trip down memory lane with the Coast’s oldest real estate agency.

years have been subdivided and sold. Now, substantial residences, architecturally designed for the seaside, accommodationhouses and stores are being erected”. This, no doubt, had not gone unnoticed by the Brisbane accountant Roy Henzell, a keen fisherman who regularly brought his young family to Caloundra for holidays. He would pick up some tax accounting business to financially justify the long and arduous journey from the city, do the work

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Caloundra, late 1950s

Caloundra is a popular and healthful seaside resort combining surf and smooth water bathing

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t’s 1935. Australia is still recovering from the Great Depression and the Second World War won’t start for another four years. It’s only 23 years since the Landsborough Shire Council held its first meeting after separating from the Caboolture Divisional Board and it will be another eight years before the Australian Hospital ship Centaur is sunk by a Japanese submarine. Caloundra is a “popular and healthful seaside resort combining surf and smooth water bathing”. Its postal and telephone services have only just been moved from the lighthouse high on Canberra Terrace and it will be seven years before electricity is connected. A gravel road built by the Queensland Main Roads Department to provide all-weather access between the Bruce Highway and Caloundra has just been opened, so who knows what could be in store for this pretty little place by the sea. The Queensland Intelligence and Tourist Bureau has been saying for more than a decade that “an atmosphere of greater prosperity pervades the place” and that it’s “now coming into its own”. The bureau has also noted “recently large estates, which had been locked up for

at home and return the books on his next visit to Caloundra. Over the years, Roy had become friends with the Kings Beach shopkeeper Bill Farlow, who also managed rental accommodation and sold real estate to supplement his income. In 1935, the pair decided to go into business together, forming the partnership W Farlow & R Henzell to manage rental

Caloundra, early to mid 1960s accommodation for holiday-makers and organise property sales. Caloundra had just under 5000 residents, but this number was swelled by visitors, many of them arriving at the Landsborough train station before being conveyed through “interesting palm scrub and forest country” to Caloundra. They could make it a splendid round trip by taking a steam and motor launch through Pumicestone Channel on the way back. As the tourist guides of the day described it, “the bathing place at Caloundra lies in a sheltered position

and is considered one of the safest on the Queensland coast”. The area’s amenity was improved when Norfolk pines were planted along the shores of Bulcock Beach in 1935. Against this background, Roy Henzell, who was not born to wealth but was determined to rise above his humble roots, took the plunge and entered the business world. A man of great vision, even he could not have guessed that this would be the start of a property empire. Seventy-five

Early development of Pelican Waters

e an golf cours rm o N g re G e ing day when th ink the open th I It was a big t u b , 1 0 as also a nuary 20 ck in 1985 w opened in Ja a tr ce ra rk O KDG a uld P HYDQ +HQ]HO % UD of the Corbo G Q X OR D HQW IRU & ening of VLJQLÀ FDQW HY dation committee. The op ce to un huge differen a e d been on the fo a m s 0 6 in the 19 Nicklin Way ndra. ent of Calou m p o el ev d e th

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Garry Water

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Judy Henzell

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able the most memor er For me, one of aft om the deb ball fr rt a p a , ts e en ev e opening of th th s a w , ed d en hich the war erough Creek w m a L s os cr a ge rs brid e Pelican Wate or ef b d il u b to we had Golden arted. It linked O st t ge en ev ld cou G XQWL PRQG +HDG DQ %HDFK DQG 'LD ay. been a causew then, had just ig s made a b Gemini Tower HQ %HDFK ZKHQ G RO * R W FH Q UH GLIIH way 82 and Westa it opened in 19 de a 1970s, also ma Towers in the to Caloundra. ce n re fe if d ge u h

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Until 1935, Caloundra was connected to the main road to Gympie by a dirt track and, apart from a few streets around the town centre, was all sand and tea-tree swamp

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This profession gave him a steady income but he also worked as a travelling salesman, value-adding for his clients by setting up their accounting procedures while he was there. Such enterprise gave him enough money to start dabbling in property. In 1923, Roy married Maysie Mines. They had two children, Joan and Bevan, and Roy was determined to make a more comfortable life for his family than he had known.

He recognised Caloundra as an opportunity to do just that at a time when the real money was in the dairy industry at Maleny, a well-established town made rich by red cedar. Until 1935, Caloundra was connected to the main road to Gympie by a dirt track and, apart from a few streets around the town centre, was all sand and tea-tree swamp. It took a lot of foresight to see it as anything else, but despite the protests of his wife who preferred Brisbane, Roy moved his family to Caloundra and set up a business partnership. The Farlow and Henzell office opened in a tiny wooden building in Bulcock Street to manage rent on around 30 accommodation places, and began buying and selling property. There wasn’t a lot of land around. The Golden Beach estate had been subdivided in 1928 and was named for the colour of the abundant wattle blooms in the area, a name more attractive than Black Flat, where the land was located. Within two years Roy could feel justified that he was on the right track. The government bitumen-sealed the road connecting the seaside township with the Bruce Highway. A fashionable Spanishstyle bathing pavilion was specially designed for Kings Beach, providing a kiosk and changing rooms for holidaymakers. The nearby sand dunes were levelled for parking and access. None other than the Queensland Governor himself, Sir Leslie Wilson, bought four blocks of land just north of

Business Centre North Caloundra

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Roy Henzell

when dra’s history n u lo a C in t momen storeys s a watershed errace. At 15 T ra er b n a C there I think it wa n er was built o s so dominant, such an out w o T y a w ta Wes It wa made a mark. ther high, it really . My grandfa rb 0s. u ’7 b e su th a r d fo te g crea thin inantly aters we have s being predom don’t a t h g u o b At Pelican W e h nd ls, but I that area of la g limited cana in v a h s probably saw a ould it e waterway w ing ion. Dad saw th is iv st d a b v su w o ry h d k a ery happy loo have imagined v ld e u b e co b er th th o b ei think would ould hope they done a good a job”. w I . n ee b e v a h inking “we’ve th d n a , it n o down

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years later, Henzells celebrates being not only the oldest real estate agency on the Sunshine Coast, but also a property company that has been behind more than 90 per cent of Caloundra’s land releases. And, with a fourth generation now in the business, it has never left the family. At 14, Roy had worked with his brother in a Toowoomba foundry for a pay packet so small he was lucky that his landlady reduced his rent or he wouldn’t have had anything left over at the end of the week. He served in France in the First World War and on his return, became an accountant.

photos courtesy of Henzells

Dicky Beach and Currimundi area 1954

continued over >

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cover story < from overleaf

images courtesy of Henzells

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an ambulance station was built at Kings Beach. Farlow and Henzell joined with the Tesch brothers of Maleny to build a huge hall at Kings Beach. The Glideaway Hall was used as a roller skating rink and dance hall and quickly became a hugely popular entertainment venue for both locals and holiday-makers. The fun and frivolity soon came to an end though. War was declared in Europe and young Australians left to fight for the empire. The Glideaway dance hall was requisitioned as an army stores depot for the duration of the war and Caloundra became a restricted area because of its strategic coastal defence position. An artillery camp was set up at Battery Hill in 1939 and the Royal Navy established a signal station on Caloundra Headland in 1940. Two Vickers machine guns were mounted at either end of Kings Beach. The private home ‘Buena Vista’, was commandeered for use as an observation post for the north-west shipping channel for defence from seaborne attacks in Caloundra and the approaches to Moreton Bay. Across Pumicestone Passage, Fort Bribie was a key fortification on the Brisbane Line fortifications. Military Jetty was key for the transportation of goods and military personnel to Fort Bribie. Currimundi and Kawana were designated as a controlled area for military training and manouevres and army engineers built a bridge over Currimundi Creek to access the firing ranges. Unexploded ordinance was still turning up in Currimundi and Wurtulla gardens and building sites for decades after the war. In 1940, the Farlow and Henzell office was extended to include a house at the rear, with only one door separating business and home life. Roy would do tax accounts while Maysie did the clerical work to keep things ticking over.

Bill Farlow, struggling to survive the stringencies of war, left the partnership in 1941. Roy bought him out and renamed the business simply Henzells Agency. The war years were not a good time to be in real estate, but with soldiers returning and a prevailing sense of fresh optimism for the future, things picked up at the end of the ’40s. Roy needed help if his business was to survive and in 1946, he was joined by his son, Bevan, who had finished school the previous year. In 1949, his daughter Joan,

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Ten pounds would get a deposit on a block of land that was usually paid off at the rate of a pound a month so anyone who wanted to buy land, could do it

“

Tooway Creek at Neill Street, Dicky Beach and built a stately home he called ‘Currimundi’. Just up the road, a Mrs Holmes of Landsborough opened a cafe and guesthouse, which she was to operate for the next 20 years until 1957. All in all, it was a marketing opportunity and one not missed by Farlow and Henzell, who in 1937 began selling “the estate where the best of people are buying”. They even offered to drive buyers to inspect the land. Their advertisement read: “W Farlow & R Henzell Caloundra, sole agents for the Dicky Beach Estate, beautiful building elevations overlooking the ocean with wide frontages up to 130 feet, should be finished before Easter next. “The proximity of the estate to the new golf links and recreation grounds is not its chief advantage, but if you look at the land, its outlook, the beach, the safe bathing and boating in Tooway Lake for the young folk, and combine this with the model layout, you will agree that written words do not adequately describe this wonderful estate.” Caloundra continued to grow steadily and in 1939, Bulcock Street was bitumen-sealed, the first police station opened in King Street (the local bobbie got around by bicycle) and

who also studied accountancy, married Verdon Ford who, with his brother, had a grocery shop at Golden Beach. The biggest event though, and one that would change the future for Roy Henzell and his family, was made in 1946. Roy bought a large tract of what to most, would have seemed impenetrable tea-tree swamp. Admittedly it was in a good location near Pumicestone Passage at Golden Beach, but £2000 was a lot to pay for 960 hectares of swamp. The land had been chosen by William Landsborough when a grateful government wanted to reward him for his exploration efforts. (The original 1881 documents of the ‘Deed of Grant for Conditional Purchase’ for 2372 acres bestowed on William Landsborough are held in a safe at Pelican Waters, for it was this site that had captured Roy senior’s interest.)

Roy Henzell

n I would come dow y. bo a as w I n e whe DW WKH much smaller plac DOHVSHRSOH ZHUH XS V KH W QG D DG Caloundra was a G ionist DW enquiry the recept VFKRRO DQG À QG WK s U le WH sa DI a H F as IÀ w R e KH er W WR hen th KDG À QLVKHG hind the barber. W OG ZDLW XQWLO WKH\ RX Z \ KH W billiard parlour be HQ IW erent W RQH RI WKHP 2 It was a very diff JH . G ss DQ ne S si X bu h XQ U it OG w ZRX and deal ey would go back nds. a frame before th ok place on weeke to ty vi ti company. Where ac e ily th m ll fa A a t. ill en st e nm ar ro e w envi anges, we our success is that and had name ch es at er m lo I think the crux of ng co get er h large boards to ug bbled up into larg ro go th en go be to ve ve ha ha rs othe d don’t ble with family oriented an tting around a ta si ily m fa e th have always been is us board meeting for decisions made. A nsensus. co couple and coming to a d it would take a an e m ti a at our project people ks ket. t to meet the mar uld only do 40 bloc ou co e ks w oc 0s bl ‘5 gh e th ou In for getting en 1983, was selling . It was a case of in at 0 th 00 do 0, to $2 s ar nd ye ou of ubles every seven each selling for ar B do n te de ta ol es G al at re k at oc th A bl thumb is formula. . The rough rule of 09 20 in 00 than the standard ,0 er 20 st fa $3 h uc m ’s It above that. years so it is well

“

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In 1947, Caloundra’s population stood at 6460, and a massive works program was underway to tidy up the town up after its war effort. Things were moving ahead. Electricity had come to town during the war, postal services came after the war and the first newspaper, Caloundra Topic, could be bought for a penny. The Dicky Beach estate continued to draw new residents and a surf lifesaving club was established in 1947. Roy Henzell next began developing house blocks at Mayes Estate, off Bowman

Road, and in 1948 he donated land for the new Caloundra Cricket Club. Land development was no mean feat. Swamp had to be reclaimed or dense bush cleared. This was done by hand and often by family. Roy’s daughter Joan was amazed when she first saw a bulldozer, hardly able to believe how much it could do in a day. Ten pounds would get a deposit on a block of land that was usually paid off at the rate of a pound a month so anyone who wanted to buy land could. People

didn’t go to banks to get mortgages but often made a direct arrangement with the seller. Roy found interest rates a messy business and so dispensed with it. “Give me a shilling a week and you can pay it off,” he would say. Although many of his subdivisions might have had 80 to 100 lots, only 15 to 20 would be released in one stage. That was the going rate of sale. In the early 1950s, he bought five blocks between Albert Street and the beachfront at Shelley Beach, for £990, and he and Maysie moved to Burgess Street.

In 1953, he convinced his daughter’s husband Verdon to join him in the business, making it a partnership of three, with his son Bevan. By this time, Henzells had developed three large areas at Dicky Beach and parts around Currimundi Lake. It had also built rental accommodation, houses and flats. Local government had enough on its hands providing services and building infrastructure and didn’t interfere much. It was even possible to sell a block of land before going to the titles office. continued over >

From humble beginnings

photos courtesy of Henzells

his week marks Henzells Agency’s 75th year of operation on the Sunshine Coast – the oldest operating real estate agency in the region. From humble beginnings as an office selling plots in a “healthful seaside” location for £60, the successful business has certainly flourished over the past 75 years to establish itself as a reputable family-owned agency. Its flagship office still occupies the same prime location on the corner of Bulcock Street in Caloundra, and over the years has grown to include an office in Pelican Waters and Mooloolaba. In the next couple of weeks, Henzells Agency will open its first office on Buderim. Garry Waters and Roy Henzell are still business partners in this growing enterprise, and are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the agency, which has had to evolve over the years to keep up with the changing dynamic of the property industry – and the influx of healthy competition. Garry says Henzell’s goal is to “remain mindful of our legacy and our integrity over a long period of time”. With an eye on the future, Garry says the Henzell’s brand must “continue to evolve from being a family business”. While the pioneering history of the Henzell family is known to established locals, the business has never solely built its success on this principal. Garry says international buyers and the large volume of newcomers to the Coast aren’t familiar with Henzell’s history on the Coast, and just like other buyers,

they expect professionalism and experience from an agency. “The client base has certainly evolved as more people come to Caloundra. We notice with Pelican Waters that there’s an increase in the number of overseas buyers – especially from the UK – and they don’t have the preconception of it being a family business. They make judgement on the way we operate. And we do have to keep upgrading our standards for newcomers to the area. “We do have to evolve, and as we grow and as the demographic of the Coast changes, we’ll need to be seen as a professional business rather than relying just on our history. Henzells will still be branded as a family- and staff-friendly office because that’s how we see ourselves. For us, our people are our asset.” Garry says that the family ties within the business radiate through to their staff – some of whom have been with the company for decades. The agency is now looking towards expansion and vertical integration, where it can become a one-stop shop for property with the inclusion of insurance and conveyancing. “In the future, we want to provide all the services required in the property market, which includes project management to land and unit developers so we can actually become involved from inception – where they buy the land – through to selling the final product. It will also form a major part of our expansion.”

photo: Randy Lagerway, www.force8photodigital.com The faces of Henzells today: group sales manager Jason Jaeger, CEO Geoff Coleman, Garry Waters

The Henzells office today

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cover story < from overleaf

“

Roy bought a large tract of what to most, would have seemed impenetrable ti-tree swamp. Admittedly it was in a good location near Pumicestone Passage at Golden Beach, but 2000 pounds was a lot to pay for 960ha of swamp

“

open as Nicklin Way in 1965. The Currimundi bridge opened at the start of 1964, and gave access to land along Currimundi Lake. Caloundra now had a fire brigade, a hospital in West Terrace and would become the local government headquarters with the council chambers being moved from Landsborough to Bulcock Street in 1968. Roy started the swinging sixties by developing residential subdivisions at Golden Beach, working south from Gregory Street and ultimately “over the bridge” to Diamond Head. Many of the streets in his early Golden Beach subdivisions were named after his

family – his son Bevan and his wife Judy, his daughter Joan and her husband Verdon among them. Roy died in 1961, but Bevan and Verdon Ford continued to look after the business interests of both the real esate agency and the land development arm of the business. They also branched into project marketing and auctions and land releases at Currimundi, Battery Hill and Aroona. In the mid-1960s, a brochure extolling the virtues of the new estate Aroona “a natural estate on the fabulous Sunshine Coast” lists home sites from $7500 to $10,500, with the promise of it being “your chance to invest in the still unspoilt but fast-developing Sunshine Coast”. Buyers were told, “the whole of the Sunshine Coast, of which Aroona is now part, is a golden playground to rival all others” with bitumen roads, telephone available and water “laid on” just 3.2 kilometre from central Caloundra. In 1972, Henzells Agency moved into bigger premises and the little building the family had occupied since 1935 was put on a semi-trailer and moved further down Bulcock Street. Work began on Henzells Plaza, a shopping and office complex in Bulcock Street. In 1977, Bevan and Verdon were joined by Des Rockcliff as a partner. Bevan, like his father, was a visionary. After developing Battery Hill his interests returned to the family’s holdings at Golden Beach. When the dry blocks of Diamond Head were sold, it was time to look west to the “1000 acres for £1000” land of the tea-trees which Roy senior had purchased in 1946. Bevan had an idea to use the waterways to create waterfront allotments and in 1970, the family produced a conceptual layout for the extension of their Diamond Head subdivision to create ‘wet blocks’ or a canal subdivision. By the early 1970s, local government was more attentive to town planning, and it would take more than 20 years to get approvals for the site, which was to become Pelican Waters.

This old sales flyer features property at Dicky Beach Estate. Note the early spelling of the word Dicky.

Bevan died in 1982 and never did get to see “mullet jumping in the canals” of his new estate as he had dreamed. His sister, Joan, who had left the business in 1950, returned as a partner in the land development side of the business while his wife Judy and son Roy junior joined Des Rockcliff in Henzells Agency. A year later Des left to go into unit development in his own right and the position remained open until 1988, when Garry Waters, a close friend of Roy’s, came in as partner. The 1980s started with the opening of the Landsborough Shire Civic Cultural Centre in Caloundra, followed by Corbould Park race course in 1985 and then, in 1987, Landsborough Shire officially became Caloundra City. For the Henzells, the decade was largely spent wrangling over Local Government approvals for the Pelican Waters site until finally, in 1993, it was full steam ahead. And the rest folks, as the saying goes, is history.

CALOUNDRA POPULATION Year 1933 1947 1954 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006

Population 4752 6460 7765 8319 8798 11,314 16,982 29,705 36,486 53,434 66,336 75,261 90,341

photos and ﬂyers courtesy of Henzells

In the 1950s, there was consistent progress in Caloundra and the Henzell family very much a part of it. In 1954, there were 1450 homes between Golden Beach and Dicky Beach. A new post office and telephone exchange opened in Bulcock Street, the Hotel Caloundra, a grand new luxury accommodation building, opened in 1956 and could boast a dining room big enough to seat more than 200 guests. A year later the Perle Hotel opened at Kings Beach. The Hibiscus caravan park became one of the first of its kind in Queensland. At the end of the decade, construction began on the coastal highway which would eventually link it with Noosa and

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history

The hinterland heart L

ong before bookshops, latte-sipping locals and visitors dominated the main street, the hinterland hub of Maleny was a timber town and the centre of dairy production. Tree-changers looking for a lifestyle change have since put the scenic town on the international map.

street, Maleny. Before Main str tree eett Mal alleny B efore the turn ef of the century, the main Obi Obi Creek crossing into town was a bullocks and horses only affair. This photo shows that by 1917 a new bridge made a much smarter entrance into Maple Street.

Main street, Maleny, circa 1912. The slab hut in the foreground is part of Lahey’s Sawmill built in 1890. Left to right: Tesch’s blacksmith, first butter factory store, first butter factory, second butter factory store, school of arts, bakery, Sallaway’s boarding house. The second butter factory under construction is at the rear. photos and captions courtesy of Maleny Historical Society

Main sstreet, Main treeet, tr t, Mal Maleny, leny, y cir circa iirrca c 11917 9 7 wi 91 wit with th Tesch’s blacksmith shop and the rebuilt Maleny hotel.

Th Show, first h held highlight Thee Maleny M lenyy Sho Ma h w 11929. 9 9 It was first 92 eld in n 19 1923 2 and d rapidly rapid idly ly bbecame ecam ame th the hi ighligh ght of ccommunity om mmu muniity activities act ctiv i ittiess in the the district. dis istr tric ictt

Main street Maleny, M late 1940s. Left to la rright: Waddell store, SSteve Guthrie barber, Miller’s cafe, school M of arts, McLean’s bbakery, WJ Burnett chemist, Stephen ch Porter & Coy P aauctioneers, George Gibson electrical G aappliances, boarding ap house, Maleny h motors. m Maleny’s main street Ma M ale l ny ny’s’s m aiin st tre reett aass it i iss today toda to daay d 16 My Property Preview | November 5, 2010

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history

Changing landscapes T

his series of aerial photographs depicts the shifting sands of Buddina, Point Cartwright and Mooloolaba. The most obvious change is of the Spit area at Mooloolaba, which looked pretty much uninhabitable in these early black and white images and was nothing more than barren sand in the photo dated 1966. Development along Buddina is almost non-existent in these pictures from the late â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s and Point Cartwright was just a deserted headland sans lighthouse. The iconic lighthouse which now stands at Point Cartwright was erected in 1978, and was built when the 1967-built lighthouse and tower at Caloundra became obscured by high-rise development. These days, the groyne and rockwall at Mooloolaba guides thousands of watercraft into the palatial deep waterfront homes of Minyama and the busy marina at Mooloolaba every year. Nothing more than deserted sand dunes in these pictures, Buddina is now a highly sought-area for beachfront real estate where median house prices are $570,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a figure far removed from the price early settlers would have paid for a plot of sand.

Early aerial photograph of Mooloolaba and Point Cartwright, exact date unknown.

Earl Ea r y aerial aeri ae rial al photograph phooto tograpph of Buddina Buddiina and M ooloolabba, a exa x ct dat xa a e unknown. at Early Mooloolaba, exact date

photos courtesy of Mooloolaba Surf Club

Buddina, Point Cartwright and Mooloolaba, 1966.

Aerial A Ae rial ri a pphotograph h to ho t gr grap apph of Mooloolaba, Mooolloool o ab abaa 196 1960s. 9 0s

Recent aerial photograph over Mooloolaba towards Point Cartwright.

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history

Timber town T

hese old photos, taken in the early decades of the 20th century, show a Buderim completely unrecognisable from the suburb we know today. Those who lived and worked ‘on top’ were timbergetters and farmers, isolated from the coastal communities that were a long horse ride (and later tram ride) away.

Buderim Tramway

photo: greg gardner

B de Bu d ri r m Mt. Mt. Road Road ttoo Mo Mool oloo ooola l ba iin n fr fron ont. t Buderim Mooloolaba front.

blackk and white photos and captions courtesy of Buderim Historical Society

Probably taken from Birwood boarding house. Pioneer Cottage is below three dead trees. Carriage shed and tramway shed are middle right. A school is amid trees. Middle: Middy’s first store and house. Left: school house with chimney. Right: Ben Ede’s house. Extreme right corner: Birdwood yard. Tindale Avenue is to the right of the picture.

Looking Look Lo okkin ingg down dow do wn B Burnett urnett t Street in Bud Buderim, derim m wher where re cars slo slowly owl wlyy repl replaced p aced horses horses.

Looking Look Lo oking do down B Burnett urne ur neett t SStreet t ee tr eet in B Buderim uder ud errim i ttoday. oday od ay

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20 My Property Preview | November 5, 2010

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history

Early days

Picnic Maroochydore was popular shing. Picn Pi cnic cn ic ppoint, o nt oi n Ma Maro rooc occhy h doore w as aalways l ay lw ayss po opu p larr for fi fish hin ingg

With the coming of homes and businesses came the demand for news about the community. This early picture shows the entire staff of The Chronicle in Nambour. photos and captions courtesy of Buderim Historical Society

he problems of beachside erosion and transport are nothing new to Sunshine Coast home owners and residents. These images, from as early as the turn of last century, offer a glimpse of the way early settlers lived.

Mooloolaba, M Mo oloo ol oola laba ba Ma M March rch h 19 1936 9366 – tthe he rresult esul es ullt of o cyc cyclones clo lone ness an and d ki king ngg ttides. ides id es Thee fi Th firs rstt Li Life Lifesavers fesavers Clu Club l b at Moolool Mooloolaba laba in 1925 1925. 5 Note th the he be bbeach ach h erosio erosion on due to cyclonic condit conditions. itio ions ns

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photos courtesy of Buderim Historical Society

history

loone local loc o al a aand nd h e dogg walkk Alexandra er Alexan ndra Headland’s H adland He n ’ss beach beaach A lone her

Above: A Ab ove: ov e an an early earlly aerial ea aeri ae rial a of of Buderim Bude Bu d rim m Right: Horses were valuable assets and played an important role in the sugar industry on Buderim. They not only pulled carts, they pulled the ploughs and the sweeps that operated the rollers in the mill, and provided the farmer with his own transport.

Cars were Ca werre once o cee a novelty on novvel e ty in Maroochydore M ro Ma roochy hydo doree

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At AVJennings we like to look after ALL new home buyers, not just ﬁrst home buyers. Purchase any eligible AVJennings townhome before 30 November 2010 and receive a bonus to the value of $10,000*. AVJennings Townhome locations: Halpine Lake, Mango Hill Nottingham Square, Calamvale Creekwood, Caloundra Fitzgibbon Chase, Fitzgibbon Visit us at: homebuyerbonus.com.au for more information

18253

Indicative image only. 3 bedroom Creekwood Townhome pictured.

*Conditions apply. Offer applies only to eligible Townhomes at Halpine Lake, Nottingham Square, Fitzgibbon Chase and Creekwood estates. Bonuses are subject to availability at each estate and subject to change without notice. To qualify for $10,000 Homebuyer Bonus contract must be signed between Wednesday 28 October 2010 and Tuesday 30 November 2010. Purchasers should inform and assure themselves by inspection, independent advice or as otherwise necessary prior to purchase. ®Registered Trademark. QBSA Lic. No. 41712. ©AVJennings Properties Limited. ABN 50 004 601 503. ©AVJennings 2010.

My Property Preview | November 5, 2010 23

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history

By the beach T

ake a look at the historical pictures of Mooloolaba and you’ll notice that even in the early and middle part of last century, it was hard to find a car park or spot to sit along the popular beachfront. Still, those early bathers and the first surf lifesavers could never have imagined what Mooloolaba would grow into.

River shacks dotted the shore in the 1930s. Beachside Be eac achssiid de pr pproperty oper op e ty has has a always alw lway ayss been beeen n sought-aft sou ough ghtt afteer er in the he suburb. sub ubur ub

Overlooking Point Cartwright Ov Mooloolaba showing Poi oint nt C artw twri righ ghtt in tthe h bbackground. he ackg ac kgroound d

photos courtesy of Mooloolaba Surf Club

Taken club Take Ta k n from ke from Mooloolaba’s Moo oolo loolabba’s surf clu l b looking down River Esplanade.

Right: Mooloolaba Life Saving Club, 1927.

Mooloolaba Esplanade M Mo o oo ol o laaba b E spla sp lana n de na d tthen… hn he

…and and Mooloolaba M ol Mo o oo oolaba Esplanade Esp spla lana n de ttoday. na oday od ay

24 My Property Preview | November 5, 2010

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THURSDAY, 1 APRIL 2010

FREE – YOURS TO KEEP

SUNSHINE COAST HISTORY Collector’s edition

ISSUE 84

PROPERTIES FOR SALE | MARKET TRACKER | HINTERLAND & MORE Page 1.indd 1

3/30/2010 11:40:41 AM

cover story

Give me land by Dorothy Drane

rom slab hut to canal-front manor, from selection to masterplanned community and from a handshake sale to multiple in-room auctions, the Sunshine Coast real estate industry has moved into a grand-scale landscape during the past century. And although many who have gone before may have been quite satisfied with the resale value of their property, the prices achieved would hardly cover the grocery bill at the check-out in the new millennium. In the beginning, selectors came and by simply living on their land for a specified time and making some improvements along the way, claimed ownership. In 1868, the new Queensland Parliament passed an Alienation of Crown Lands Act, which made land available for a minimum price of one pound an acre. Selection allowed for areas of land between 210 and 640 acres to be taken up at different prices,

Alfred Grant advertisement, December 2, 1960

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

In 1939, one of the first subdivisions in Alexandra Headland, facing Mooloolaba Road and Janet Street, was priced at 10 pounds an allotment

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

depending on the landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential. A homestead selection was the smallest and cheapest, but at between 80 and 160 acres, still a substantial landholding opportunity. During the first five years, 10 shillings (about $1) an acre had to be spent on substantial and permanent improvements. Failure to do so or to not live on the selection for six months could lead to forfeiture to the Crown. Eventually, provided all conditions were met, the selector could be entitled to a Deed of Grant for freehold tenure. In the 1880s, the government opened up land in Palmwoods for selection at two shillings and sixpence (about 45 cents) an acre, to be paid off at threepence (about five cents) an acre a year. Selectors began to arrive, most of A team of local real estate agents, Nambour, early 1960s

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them taking up about 160 acres. A land sale in Palmwoods in 1905 offered 116 acres, of which 20 acres were cleared, three minutes from the railway station with main road frontage, for the equivalent of $700 – but it had to be paid in cash. The price included a six-room weatherboard house, two tanks, a barn, stable, cart sheds with all implements, 200 coffee trees, citrus trees and three acres of bananas. On October 11, 1912, the Central Palmwoods Estate was advertised for auction: “The famous big paddock on main Palmwoods-Montville Road right at the rising town of Palmwoods. Centre of the great north coast rain belt. Over 60 inches per year. 600 acres scrub and forest land, deep chocolate and black soil. Finest pineapple, citrus fruit and agricultural land in the district. Splendidly watered by Paynter’s Creek and tributaries. Subdivided in 21 farms, 10 to 40 acres each. At terminus projected Buderim MountainPalmwoods tramway. Liberal terms. Deposit 3 shillings in the pound.” Preferred property before the turn of the century was in the hinterland and on the range, areas most prized for their agricultural value where owners could eke out a living. And since then, property values haven’t looked back, regardless of where the property was on the Sunshine Coast. In 1939, one of the first subdivisions in Alexandra Headland, facing Mooloolaba Road and Janet Street, was priced at 10 pounds an allotment. A decade later, a house lot of 24 perches, or about 600 square metres, went for 150 pounds. At about the same time, in the late 1940s, one of the more prestigious subdivisions was the Foote Estate on Buderim, with about 40 blocks ranging from half an acre to four acres fronting the new streets of Eckersley Avenue and Fountain Road. With a north-easterly aspect and spectacular ocean views, they were advertised for 250 pounds. In February 1960, Alfred Grant advertised the sale of allotments at “Buddina Beach” from 495 pounds ($1000) and offered a 10 per cent discount for cash. In 1968, three acres in Buderim with

The first house at Cotton Tree, 1965, now the shop on the corner of T The h E Esplanade splana sp adee & K Kin King ingg Street S reet ((surf St su urf side s corner)

In the

1880s, the government opened up land in Palmwoods for selection

two shillings

On October 11, 1912, the Central Palmwoods Estate was advertised for auction: “The famous big paddock on main PalmwoodsMontville Road right at the rising town of Palmwoods. Centre of the great north coast rain belt. Over 60 inches per year. 600 acres scrub and forest land, deep chocolate and black soil. Finest pineapple, citrus fruit and agricultural land in the district. Splendidly watered by Paynter’s Creek and tributaries. Subdivided in 21 farms, 10 to 40 acres each. At terminus projected Buderim MountainPalmwoods tramway. Liberal terms. Deposit 3 shillings in the pound.”

and

sixpence (about 45 cents) an acre, to be paid off at threepence (about five cents) an acre a year.

a northern aspect and mountain views was $2000 and 5.5 acres with a two-bedroom home was $6600. A luxury five-bedroom architect-designed home in Caloundra was priced at $11,000 and a three-acre small crop farm with irrigation and implements and a three-bedroom home, two miles from Caloundra, was $11,600. By 1971, a three-bedroom brick home at Buderim was $14,500 and northern home sites with a northerly aspect ranged from $650 to $1375 for a quarter-acre. A year later, the “Buderim Ginger Farm” was advertised for sale “right in the heart of Buderim” between Mill Road and King Street. Lots started at $3500. In Alexandra Headland, new one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with “breathtaking views” were up for immediate sale for between $10,750 and $24,750. And from there, it has just kept going on up. Kawana, December 28, 1966

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Sunshine Coast

Early life on the mountain I

n 1869 Tom Petrie and sawmill operator William Pettigrew began to harvest beech and cedar from Buderim Mountain. Some of the first settlers after the land was cleared in 1870 were surveyor William Henry Guy and his family, whose name can still be seen in street names around the Coast, such as Guy and Wilguy avenues. Farming of sugar cane and bananas began, along with a short-lived attempt at growing peanuts, and in 1896 the local sugar mill was built. In the early 1890s coffee plantations and citrus orchards appeared and in 1901 Ernest Burnett won a gold medal for his coffee at a trade fair in London. William Burnett introduced ginger farming to Buderim during World War I, and the exotic crop was so successful with local farmers that in the 1940s a Ginger Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Co-operative was formed.

Left: Buderim, mid-1920s

Buderim, 1902

Looking up Main Street/Burnett Street, Buderim, late1920s

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Sunshine Coast

On the move T

he naming of the Bruce Highway took place at a Council Chambers meeting in Landsborough on September 27, 1934. It was named after Mr Henry Adam Bruce, who was the minister for public works at the time. It took almost 13 years of correspondence (most of which was done by Herbert J Layt, Shire Clerk of Landsborough Shire Council), to establish the Bruce Highway. At the Chamber meeting, Councillor Tytherleigh motioned that the North Coast Road should incorporate Mr Bruce’s name and moved that the name of the road be ‘Bruce Highway’. This was seconded by Councillor JT Lowe and the rest of the councilors who were present. The Bruce Highway, stretching 1700 kilometres from Brisbane to Cairns, has since become the biggest traffic carrier in Queensland.

Left: Main road, Maroochydore to Bruce Highway, Woombye 1920 Above: Nugget Evans 1925, Chevrolet passenger service from Cotton Tree via Diddillibah and Rosemount Road to Nambour, 1930-1940

SPOIL YOURSELF. AT SEASIDE ON THE PARK. PRICED FROM $465,000

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH TRANQUIL PARKLANDS AND STEP FROM THE BACK DOOR STRAIGHT ON TO LONG STRETCHES OF WHITE SANDY BEACH. NO ROADS TO CROSS, NO CAR TO PARK, COASTAL LIVING AT ITS BEST.

Luxury 2 and 3 bedroom beachfront apartments North south orientation Direct and private access to the beach and park 4XDOLW\ Û WWLQJV DQG Û QLVKHV WKURXJKRXW 'XFWHG DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ /DUJH EDOFRQLHV DQG VSDFLRXV OLYLQJ DUHDV

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6WXQQLQJ YLHZV WR 0W &RROXP Secure basement car parks P ODS SRRO DQG %%4 HQWHUWDLQLQJ DUHD Private and secure complex Community atmosphere Stroll to cafes, shops, park and beach

PROUDLY DEVELOPED BY

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Sunshine Coast

Mooloolaba beachfront

Mooloolaba esplanade circa 1920s

“

Blocks of land around Palm Drive in Mooloolaba you could buy for around $500-$600 per block in around 1968

“

Jean Hamer, Jean Hamer Prime Properties

This advertisement from 1935 offers business and residential sites along Mooloolaba Esplanade

Buderim living just got even better.

Mooloolaba 1950s real people s real results s real estate

www.heartrealty.com.au

WHERE ELSE

NAMBOUR, 11 George Street Will you get all this for around $420,000? Huge partially renovated Queenslander on a 485m2 lot Second 592m² lot with DA Approval for Subdivision enabling separate title. Go and compare houses and building plots and do the maths!

See page 9

View: Saturday 3rd April 10-11am

Amanda Daniel 0458 729 519

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Sunshine Coast

Beachside development D

his exceptional image is one of the earliest aerial photographs of this area that we can find. It was photographed in approximately 1965 by a pilot who owned a home in Centenary Crescent at the time. It’s a great depiction of Cotton Tree looking north towards the rivermouth. You can easily identify the Maroochy Surf Club, nestled amongst the sand dunes in the top right-hand corner, and the sporting field and bowls club of Cotton Tree, both of which are still there today. You’ll notice that Alexandra Parade once stretched along the beachfront in front of the Sea Breeze Caravan Park and where Pierce Park now is. It was later cut off – the caravan park now enjoys beach frontage and Pierce Park has a footpath where the road once was. That is why, when travelling from Alexandra Headland to Cotton Tree, Alexandra Parade stops at the southern end of the caravan park and then continues again from the front of Elouera Tower through to the rivermouth at Cotton Tree. It’s certainly enough to confuse travellers without maps. Overall this area is now highly developed and is considered great real estate as it is close to the beach, river and CBD of Maroochydore. Local resident, Herb Bright, bought his patch of sand in Maroubra Street in 1964 for £500. He spent a further £1500 on materials to build his own house, which can be seen in this old aerial shot as the most eastern home on the northern side of Maroubra Street. His house still stands, immaculately. Beside him now are two vacant blocks (see bottom right picture) which are the result of a demolished beach house. One of these 409-square metre blocks just sold for $440,000, whilst the next house along, 30 Maroubra Street (a renovated two-bedroom cottage), just sold for $590,000. Today, houses in Cotton Tree and the beachside streets such as Maroubra, Gardak and Surf Road are tightly held and quite sought-after.

Above: Looking north to Cotton Tree 1965, A: Aerodrome Road B: Parker Street C: Maroubra Street D: Sixth Avenue E: Alexandra Parade

Left: Current aerial looking north to Cotton Tree A: Maroubra Street B: Wirraway Street

B photo: www.sunshinecoastphotos.com.au

COOL SUMMERS, COSY WINTERS and GREAT VIEWS! MAPLETON

Only $668,000

809m² of easy care gardens is perfectly blended with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, teenage retreat, open living spaces, ample parking plus easterly verandahs. The layout and design provides for climate control all year round, optimal entertaining, personal areas plus immersion in the verdant expanse of great views all the way out to the coast.

Preview your cool and cosy home now! Open By Appointment Petro Geyl 0429 024 815 p. 07 5478 5478 200 Main Street, Montville w w w. m o n t v i l l e r e a l e s t a t e . c o m . a u

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Sunshine Coast

North of the bridge A

t the time it was built, SurfAir high-rise was pretty much a large landmark surrounded by nothing but barren land. This early photo of Marcoola shows an established David Low Way, which is still a busy thoroughfare along the coastline towards Noosa.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

We were selling blocks at Mudjimba for around $150 for a block â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there were no bitumen roads or sewerage then, and that was around 1968

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Jean Hamer, Jean Hamer Prime Properties

Marcoola with SurfAir in the background, late 1960s

1953 Mudjimba and Marcoola Beaches were named after a competition. The name Marcoola is the combination of Maroochydore and Coolum An early image of David Low Way Bridge, Bli Bli

photo: www.sunshinecoastphotos.com.au

An aerial of Marcoola today, including SurfAir

elderspalmwoods.com.au Auction

Hunchy/Palmwoods

2 4+

26 Annwal Lane Inspect Sat & Sun 11.00am to 11.45am | Auction on site Sunday 18 April 2010 @ 12.00pm This Could Be The Oneâ&#x20AC;Ś Style and Comfort, Great Family Home t 4 very lge beds, 2 bath, sep wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;shop/studio, 4xLUG t 0QFO QMBO LJUDIFO .JFMF BQQT TUPOF CFODIUPQT t HBM SBJO XBUFS UBOLT EBN QFSN DSFFL

t BDSFT XJUI WJFXT GVMMZ GFODFE CBZ TIFE t /UI GBDJOH *( QPPM XJUI #BMJ IVU NPTBJD GFBUVSF t 7FOEPST QVSDIBTFE FMTFXIFSF BOE XBOU B SFTVMU

Mike Burns 0418 991 702 or Brad Milton 0421 965 226 Elders Palmwoods Web Id 410543

Auction

104 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

The hub of the Coast T

he capital of the Sunshine Coast, now known as Nambour, was first settled in 1870, by Matthew Carroll. At that time, the town was known as Petrie’s Creek and in 1891, when the rail link with Brisbane was completed, Petrie’s Creek was renamed Nambour after the Nambour cattle station. These early photos show Nambour’s Currie Street as the hub of activity, first in the early 1900s when there were still horse-drawn carts, and below left, where early-model Fords and Holdens occupied the busy centre. Nambour’s median house price is currently $346,450. One can only imagine what a title would have cost in the early 1900s.

1944 Nambour becomes central control for prisoners of war groups. This provides manual labour to surrounding farms Currie Street, Nambour, early 1900s

“

I sold my ﬁrst property for $225,000 in Chiltern Court in Coes Creek which was a high price at that time. I sold the buyers’ house in Bli Bli for $110,000, that was in 1994 Ian Black, Day & Grimes Real Estate Currie Street, Nambour, circa 1940

Need a plumber in a hurry?

...turn to

home directory on page 135

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Sunshine Coast

Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view T

he dynamic of Maroochydoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rivermouth with be forever changing, as the shifting sands affect both the northern and southern inlets of the mouth. Pincushion Island, which has been attached to the southern end of the mouth at Maroochy Beach a number of times in the past century, is now isolated as an island, often attaching itself to the northern mainland. The interesting aerial on the right shows a relatively undeveloped Maroochydore in the 1950s.

Above: aerial view of Maroochydore â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1950s Left: aerial view of Maroochydore, exact date unknown, suggested as early 1980s

Glennis Schindler 0412 737 324

Greg Mills 0407 750 603

VENDORS ARE KEEN TO SELL & HAVE ASKED FOR ALL OFFERS TO BE PRESENTED!

MAROOCHY WATERS BEST BUY!

$510,000

Unit 31 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kaluaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, 5 Parker Street, MAROOCHYDORE

Situated on a large corner allotment in the heart of Maroochydores prestige canal suburb. This tidy brick and tile home is open plan with spacious, separate living areas, outside entertainment area and large back yard. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s within walking distance of schools, shops, public transport, river and just 50 meters to park and canal access. (Ideal for swimming, ďŹ shing and kayaking!) A great place to live! A great place to invest!

32 Schirrmann Drive, MAROOCHYDORE

t 4QBDJPVT UPQ nPPS BQBSUNFOU BQQSPY N XJUI /PSUI &BTUFSMZ BTQFDU BOE XBUFS WJFXT t -BSHF CFESPPNT FOTVJUF TFQBSBUF MJWJOH BSFBT EJOJOH BSFB BOE HSFBU PVUEPPS DPVSUZBSE t 4FDVSFE DBS QBSL JOHSPVOE QPPM UFOOJT DPVSU XFMM NBJOUBJOFE DPNQMFY XJUI PO TJUF NBOBHFS t -PDBUFE PQQ "MFYBOESB )FBEMBOE CFBDI BOE TIPSU XBML UP TIPQT DBGFT CBST BOE SFTUBVSBOUT Inspection By Appointment Greg Mills 0407 750 603

Inspection By Appointment

Greg Mills 0407 750 603

SCHINDLERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LIST M/Dore / Alex Heads - 6 Kylee Cres. Hi-set home, 4 Bed, 2 Bath home, N Y N EFDL XJUI HBCMF SPPG N UP CFBDI Low $600â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s View Sat 12-12.30pm

PENTHOUSE WITH POSITION

POSITION, POSITION

Unit 24 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Langley Parkâ&#x20AC;? Perfectly positioned, taking up complete top ďŹ&#x201A;oor of building. MagniďŹ cent views from this 2 bedroom unit with private roof top garden. On-site Management, pool, 200m to beach and restaurants. Offers over $600,000 considered. Inspection By Appointment Greg Mills 0407 750 603

24 Harbour Parade, BUDDINA Attractive home overlooking park to yachts in Wharf Marina. Spacious 3 bed, ens with study. Timber ďŹ&#x201A;oors, soaring ceilings. Large deck for entertaining or â&#x20AC;&#x153;watching the world go byâ&#x20AC;?. Walking track along river to Point Cartwright, ocean and cafe. Inspection will impress. Inspection By Appointment Greg Mills 0407 750 603

Sale by negotiation

Alexandra Headland - 68 Okinja Rd, Modernised 4 bed home, Ens, Pool,Dble car, 350m to beach. Reasonable offers considered View Sat 1-1.30pm

Glennis Schindler

Alexandra Headland - 35 Okinja Rd. Most elevated block in street, 350m to beach, Hi-set brick & tile, 3 Bed, 2 Bath, Games room, Dble garage. High $600 Buyers View Sat 2-2.30pm Cotton Tree IPNFT BWBJMBCMF TFQBSBUF PS UPHFUIFS #PUI TRN 8BML to river & shops. Price By Negotiation.

MAROOCHY SANDS BUILDING, SIXTH AVENUE MAROOCHYDORE

Greg Mills

(07) 5443 2433

110 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

In about 1977, Number 84 at The Spit, which were units on the water, were selling for around $30,000

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Jean Hamer, Jean Hamer Prime Properties

1968 Mooloolaba Harbour opens

Aerial view of Mooloolaba to Kawana, 1980s

photo: www.sunshinecoastphotos.com.au

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aerial view of Mooloolaba to Kawana

â&#x20AC;˘ Buderim â&#x20AC;˘ Caloundra â&#x20AC;˘ Maroochydore â&#x20AC;˘ North Shore

TENNIS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GYM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SAUNA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; POOL: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;RESORT LIFESTYLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; UNIT MUST BE SOLD!

FIVE STAR BARGAIN

32/1 GRENADA WAY, KAWANA ISLAND

55 SAM WHITE DRIVE, BUDERIM

Enjoy a lifestyle others can only dream of with all the facilities you would ďŹ nd in a resort on permanent offer. &EATURES INCLUDE s DOUBLE BEDROOMS BATH s 3PA s (UGE DOUBLE BALCONY s #AR ACCOM s ,IFT s ! # ,OCATED DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE $OUBLE "AY RESTAURANTS AND CAFES AND WITH OVER KM OF WATERFRONT WALKING and bike tracks, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let this opportunity pass you by!

Admittedly this immaculate family home isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly a â&#x20AC;&#x153;cheapieâ&#x20AC;? but if you compare the quality of construction, ďŹ ttings and size with other properties currently on the market, it is deďŹ nitely a bargain. Not yet 3 years old, featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 living zones and a study nook. With a patio, inground pool, yard with side access and reserve on 2 sides, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just too good to miss. Call today.

OPEN SATURDAY 1-1.45PM

OPEN SATURDAY 11-11.45AM

AUCTION ON SITE SATURDAY 10th APRIL: 1PM Steve Mellor 0408 673 354, OfďŹ ce: 5445 2777

Internet Ref. No. 106366723

EXECUTIVE TOWNHOUSE ON TOP

$499,000 Internet Ref. No. 106382453 Rob Gardner 0409 720 148, Jodie Buchholz 0400 590 201

CUL-DE-SAC POSITION IN HEADLAND PARK

2/1 URE COURT, BUDERIM

7 ROSSLYN COURT, BUDERIM

This stylish, executive townhouse is a must see for those who want more than just the ordinary. Only a short walk to local shops, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lock-up garage and private courtyard â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this one ticks all the boxes. The property features neutral colours, modern ďŹ xtures and a stylish layout spread out over 2 levels. Everyone will be trying to get their hands on this one, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out!

4HIS COMFORTABLE FAMILY HOME LOCATED IN SORT AFTER (EADLAND 0ARK WILL PLEASE BOTH FAMILIES AND INVESTORS alike. A centrally located kitchen allows unobstructed views to the patio and pool area, or watch the kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SPLASH AWAY WHILE RELAXING IN EITHER OF THE LIVING AREAS /FFERING s BEDROOMS s BATHROOMS s #UL DE SAC POSITION s 7ALKING DISTANCE TO )MMANUEL #OLLEGE $ON T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY #ALL NOW

OPEN SATURDAY 12-12.45PM

$415,000 Internet Ref. No. 106356068 Jarrad McCarthy 0410 052 219, Helen Gavin 0408 502 235

$539,000 Internet Ref. No. 106264663 Rob Gardner 0409 720 148, Jodie Buchholz 0400 590 201

View 24 hours / 7 days a week on

www.buderim.realway.com.au

My Property Preview | April 1, 2010 111

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Sunshine Coast

“

ASL ﬁnance company bought the land between Gardak Street and Okinja Road where Kylie Crescent, Surf Road and Benjamin Street are, all the way to Oogar Street and it had to be ﬁlled. They used soil from near Sugar Road and when the subdivision was done in the mid-70s, we resold them for around $1900 a block with a $25 deposit

“

Jean Hamer, Jean Hamer Prime Properties

Recent aerial of Maroochydore looking towards Cotton Tree

Aerial along Mooloolaba coastline, 1970s

“

The ﬁrst property I sold was a two-bedroom unit for $42,000 – that was in 1982 and it was a block from the beach at Alexandra Headland. They were just ﬁnishing off Mandolin apartments at that time too and we were selling them for I think $100,000, and they had ocean views

“

Greg Young, Henzells Mooloolaba Overlooking Maroochydore rivermouth, early 1980s

Real Estate Certiﬁcate Courses & Full Licences Attendees at my courses tell me they really enjoy the additional industry knowledge I share as it gives them a complete understanding as to what to expect. Peter Ford

ENROL N OW Ne

xt co commenurse ces April 27t

h-30th at Kawa 2010 na Commun ity Centre

Launching the new wave of real estate professionals in Queensland

www.completepropertytraining.com.au Enquiries phone Peter Ford 1300 281 289 112 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

A sleepy town awakens T

he main street of Palmwoods has certainly evolved over time. In 1914, construction began on the Buderim to Palmwoods tramway. Today, Palmwoods is still considered as a beautiful railway town offering peaceful lifestyle acreages. The current median house price in Palmwoods is $470,000.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

We used to sell four-bedroom houses in Palmwoods for $125,000 back in about 1988. We were selling older houses in Palmwoods for $80,000 in 1998 and 1999. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty cheap. In that era the better houses were about $125,000

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Tony Whittington, Whittington Ellis Real Estate

AUCTION

Above: Margaret Street (main street), Palmwoods 1972 Right: Margaret Street, Palmwoods 1917

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass this buy! TWIN WATERS 2 River Edge Court 4

Designed to celebrate family life; natural light; beachside privilege & the joys of entertaining, this property encapsulates Sunshine Coast living. From the stylish entry arbour & through the soaring timber pivot door, it is obvious that no expense has been spared. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;aquatic roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centrepiece & offers both shallow and deep bathing areas, a sandstone fountain feature & a covered al fresco entertaining area. Not only beautiful, but practical as well, the ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan has been designed to work for busy modern families. s 0RESTIGIOUS LOCATION IN 4WIN 7ATERS s ,ARGE STYLISH KITCHEN GENEROUS LIVING AREAS s $UCTED AIR CONDITIONING s 3ALTWATER POOL WITH COVERED OUTDOOR AREA s ,ARGE CORNER BLOCK s 3HORT DISTANCE TO PARKS BEACH SHOPS

AUCTION 16TH APRIL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OPEN FROM 5.30PM AUCTION 6.00PM ONSITE Inspect: 3ATURDAY PM

Mark Lawler Dianne Ray 0423 766 713 0408 034 080 dianne@lagunarealestate.com.au www.lagunarealestate.com.au

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Sunshine Coast

40 acres for about $2 T

he photo on the right was taken in 1950 and looks towards Kings Beach in Caloundra. While there was little development there at the time, the same site is now well developed with apartment buildings and five-star resorts, which take in the superb views over Pumicestone Passage.

Above: Overlooking Kings Beach at Caloundra, late 1950s Left: The same view at Caloundra today

$2 FOR 40 ACRES On 19 April, 1887, a Deed of Grant was passed for a local ﬁsherman, Samuel Leach, to purchase a title to his homestead on the northern bank of Bell’s Creek. He’d previously fought long and hard under the provisions of the Crown Lands Alienation Act of 1876 to get the title. Once it was passed, he purchased Portion 26, Parish of Bribie. This 40-acre parcel, which cost him £1/0/0 (approximately $2), is now known as Diamond Head, Golden Beach in Caloundra.

Exclusive. Exceptional. Elegant. See page 9

ue to its elevated position, 15 Burgess Street was considered the ideal ‘post’ with exceptional 360-degree views of the Coast north along the water towards Noosa and south to Bribie Island, overlooking Pumicestone Passage. In 1912, a quaint timber home, aptly named ‘The Camp’, occupied the bird’s-eye block of land in Kings Beach before a small lookout tower was built on the top level and it became known as the Australian Army Fire Command post. Lieutenant Col AG Thompson was based at the command post, which worked in conjunction with other batteries in the region, especially Fort Bribie. This home was commandeered by the Australian Defence Force for an observation post due to its high point, reaching approximately 47 metres above sea level. Unfortunately, the historic house burnt down in the mid-1990s, and the land was later split into two allotments. A palatial residence now occupies this site at 15b Burgess

Street. This resort-style home is currently on the market, and Next Property Group’s Daniel Barrios says he expects to fetch around the $4 million-dollar mark.

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Sunshine Coast DID YOU KNOW There were machine guns and barbed wire entanglements on the beaches of Caloundra during the Second World War? In fact, Caloundra was classed as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;blackout areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which meant that blackout paper had to be glued on windows or black curtains used in homes. No car headlights were allowed except for the army vehicles, which had most of their headlights painted black with just a slither left bare to shed some light during travel. No street lights were permitted and most windows in Caloundra had chicken wire to stop glass shattering in the event of a bomb attack. During the day, Bulcock Street would be busy with day tanks and artillery on their daily exercises.

Above: Caloundra, 1934 Left: Caloundra today

1937 A fashionable Spanish-style bathing pavilion is constructed at Kings Beach Shop 21 Mooloolaba International, 121 Mooloolaba Esp, Mooloolaba

5444 0800 s SALES

MYMOOLOOLABA COM AU

O O

)T S JUST LIKE LIVING IN 0ARADISE Beautifully renovated and decorated this three bedroom townhouse is awaiting your inspection. From the fully tiled living that ďŹ&#x201A;ows onto a private courtyard to the generous master bedroom that features a good sized walk in robe, ensuite and Juliet balcony, the ďŹ nishes are immaculate. The owners have recently ďŹ nished replacing everything from the light ďŹ ttings to the kitchen and the unit is now offered fully furnished. I believe the results are fantastic. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take my word for it - Come and inspect it for yourself. Located in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Emerald Springsâ&#x20AC;?- The ever popular pet friendly complex that boasts a full sized tennis court as well as a large tropically landscaped free form pool.

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$449,000 Saturday, Monday & Thursday 12-12.45pm Unit 49 1 Poinsettia Court, MOOLOOLABA Paul Angell 0438 468 378

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Small unmanaged complex of only 4 townhouses Fully renovated with quality ďŹ nishings ď ľ Pool, spa, sandy beach in pet friendly complex ď ľ Walking distance to Hastings Street ď ľ Main bed has ensuite and walk through robe ď ľ Fully A/C with new furniture Marcus Bengtsson 0408 230 011 ď ľ Fully fenced private courtyard marcus@oďŹ&#x20AC;ermann.com.au ď ľ Caesarstone in bathrooms & kitchen Julie Bengtsson 0418 980 247 ď ľ

Price: $995,000 07

julie@oďŹ&#x20AC;ermann.com.au

54492500 - offermann.com.au

,OVE 4HAT 3TYLE Whether it is the decor or the sheer size of the living area (total 244m2) you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but feel at home. The quality polished ďŹ&#x201A;oor tiles throughout the living areas add sense of connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces. The generous balcony offers direct pool access plus adjustable full height plantation shutters provide shade and privacy. The apartmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end position provides ample natural light and cross ventilation but there is ducted air conditioning and fans to cope with all climates.

PRICE INSPECT ADDRESS CONTACT

$795,000 By Appointment Unit 5 15-21 Smith Street, MOOLOOLABA Paul Angell 0438 468 378

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hinterland

A property with spirit by Pauline Clayton

Maleny’s Thynne house is for sale, but it’s new owners will get more than the usual house and garden.

house built by the Thynne family, one of the hinterland’s early landholders, is on the market, along with its alleged resident ghosts. Constructed of locally milled white beech, the property in Thynne Court, Maleny, was home to the three daughters – Mabel, Mary and Elizabeth – of Andrew Joseph Thynne, a former Postmaster General of Queensland and Minister for Agriculture. In 1902, he bought 790 acres of prime grazing land on top of the range. The house is reputed to have been built by two Thynne sons,

“

The stables have been converted to a guest cottage and are part of the main house on the market

Ray recalls that when the Thynne property was cut up and developed in the 1970s, you could buy

Thynne Court in winter 1978 Ted and Andrew, some time after 1906. It was part of a large holding that included the Pattamore & Thynne sawmill, which operated from 1906 to 1918. Ted Thynne ran the timber mill. When the timber mill closed, Ted Thynne established a dairy and the original cow bales and share farmer’s cottage still exist in Thynne Court. The stables have been

10-acre site for $10,000

converted to a guest cottage and are part of the main house, which is on the market. The three sisters, supported by Ted, were responsible for ensuring one of the last remaining patches of pure rainforest in the hinterland was retained and protected. That “patch of scrub”, as it was referred to locally, is today the iconic Mary Cairncross continued over >

“

BRADY & METCALFE REALTY MAPLETON

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Steve 0425 256 360 Justin 0432 418 887 Ofﬁce 07 5445 7304

SPACIOUS FAMILY ENTERTAINER – MAPLETON With outstanding presentation and located on a roomy 1486m2 fully fenced block this modern 4 bedroom home has all the room, features and quality you are looking for in a big family home. The huge covered outdoor entertaining area leading to the 5m x10m sparkling saltwater pool is a standout feature and completes this entertainers delight.

OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS ARE RARE!! – MAPLETON On Mapleton’s prestigious eastern escarpment capturing a wonderful north by northeast outlook and incorporating spectacular uninterrupted coastal and rolling hinterland views; this home will take your breath away. A Garth Chapman designed ‘Traditional Queenslander’ on over an acre of land.

Address: 2 Billabong Place, Mapleton Price: $585,000 Inspect: Sat & Sun 1-1.45pm www.mapletonrealestate.com.au

THIS IS VALUE FOR MONEY!!!! – KUREELPA 2

Address: 19 Ringwood Lane, Mapleton Price: $920,000 Inspect: Sat & Sun 2-2.45pm www.mapletonrealestate.com.au

If its value for money you want then you need to see this small acreage property as soon as possible. With an excellent home designed with comfort and outside living in mind, and set on over an acre of good land this property will not last. The elevated home looks out over beautiful lawns and down over your very own dam. Includes huge double bay shed.

Address: 7 Bullock Court, Kureelpa Price: $569,000 Inspect: Saturday 11-11.45am www.mapletonrealestate.com.au

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hinterland

risk that the remaining patch of subtropical rainforest that had previously covered the southern end of the Blackall Range would be logged. Bessie came up with a way to save the remaining rainforest and resolve the land tax issue at the same time. She gifted the land to the local government in October 1941. Landsborough Shire records show the â&#x20AC;&#x153;giftâ&#x20AC;? to the community of the site cleared the family of land tax owed of ÂŁ324, 10 shillings and four pence. Today that legacy of 128.4 acres of natural rainforest is visited by hundreds of people daily, including school students.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

The house is reputed to have been built by two Thynne sons, Ted and Andrew some time after 1906

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Thynne main house today < from previous page Scenic Reserve. The sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mother was Mary Williamina Cairncross and when they gifted the 128 acres of Thynne property to the council, they requested it be named in her honour. At the time, the government handed over large tracts of uncleared land as part of the soldier settlement program, and a condition was that the land be cleared for grazing and farming production. Therefore the region attracted loggers seeking the magnificent cedar, beech and camphor, and much of the region was clear felled. World War II was raging in Europe, the authorities were seeking taxes owed on the Thynne property and there was a

Later, Bessie saved another small family holding. A five-acre patch of rainforest in Mary Cairncross Avenue, which she also gifted to the community. The cottage opposite the Thynne family house was home to the various share farmers who leased the dairy. One of those was the Burgess family, and Ray Burgess of Cedar Court, fondly remembers living there as a young boy from 1951 to 1963. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sisters in the big house had a beautiful garden and paid me five shillings to mow the lawns, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ray says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They kept two sheep in the backyard and a Mr Gould would come and shear them by hand, then the sisters would spin the wool. There were no trees on that land. It was all kikuyu grass in my day. And no Thynne Court or Burgess Avenue, just dirt tracks.â&#x20AC;? Ray remembers well the patch that is now the lush rainforest of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was my job to go and find any cows that hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come home. They would go up a track through the rainforest to the area of the reserve that is now car park and open grassland [the family barbecue and picnic area on Mountain View Road]. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to go through the forest to get to them. It was quite frightening. The wild dingoes would stalk me.â&#x20AC;?

Ray recalls that when the property was cut up and developed in the 1970s, you could buy a 10-acre site for $10,000. Bessie Thynne died in 1978, leaving a remarkable legacy in Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. This was her family home, the historic house in Thynne Court, which is now on the market. She had lived here until 1960 when she moved to a smaller cottage in what is now Mary Cairncross Avenue. As for the ghosts. Selling agent David Gamble of Maleny & Hinterland Real Estate assures My Property Preview that subsequent owners have reported seeing or feeling the ghostly presence of a man and three women in the house. And there is a large wooden door that is reputed to close suddenly when the air is still.

(OMES 5NITS 4OWN (OUSES AND 6ACANT ,AND in the 3UNSHINE #OAST HINTERLAND !VAILABLE $AYS

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&EATURING BEDROOMS ALL WITH ")2 S MASTER WITH 7)2 AND ENSUITE SEPARATE LIVING AREAS $,5' AND A LOVELY UNDERCOVER AREA TO ENJOY THE BREEZES AND UNINTERRUPTED VIEWS 4HIS HOME IS A GREAT l ND FOR THOSE AFTER A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME 3ARAH *OHNSON ,AWRIE &AINT

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7ITH BEDROOMS PLUS STUDY TH BEDROOM BATHROOMS LOVELY PRIVATE LOCATION ON HUGE M BLOCK SEPARATE LIVING AREAS LOVELY UNDERCOVER ENTERTAINMENT AREA AS WELL AS THE OUTSTANDING .ORTH %AST OUTLOOK YOU CAN ENJOY WHILE YOU ARE ON THE DECK OR BY THE POOL

,OT M JUST ,OT M A GREAT ,OT M A COOL 0HONE TO SECURE YOUR NEW HOME ADDRESS TODAY

!MPLE PARKING FOR CARS PLUS DOUBLE DOOR COLOR BOND SHED AT BASE OF PROPERTY

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Visit our web site : WWW THEINTRODUCERS COM AU 118 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

From farm to town centre W

hat was once a large produce farm known as Wises Farm is now the evolving town centre of Maroochydore. The large, multi-hectare site has been heavily redeveloped over the past decade with new major arterial roads linking the Sunshine Motorway with Sunshine Plaza, and the construction of Maroochy Boulevard. With future large-scale development earmarked for the area – including high-density living, major retailers and retirement living – the evolution of Wises Farm has allowed for the much-needed expansion of the Maroochydore town centre.

Wises Farm, Maroochydore, circa 1980

Current aerial view over Wises Road precinct, Maroochydore

photo: www.sunshinecoastphotos.com.au

A slice of Buderim’s finest.

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See page 9

The next Registration Course starts on 19 April 2010

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12 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

The town evolves

The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) visits Nambour, 1920. Royal Hotel built by GL Bury 1895.

October 11, 1933, an experimental patch of asphalt was laid in front of Nambour Council Chambers. It was laid on a wet day and as most cars were using chains on their wheels, it made the road look like a spring mattress.

• • • •

•

• • • • • •

• •

14 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

The land of plenty by Dorothy Drane

The Buderim cane tramway in the 1930s. Les Plater is on horse. Front row left to right: W Rodwell, G Kenny, C Ranger, T Eglington and S Glass. Back row left to right: V Eglington, J Gablonski and M Ferrar

here was a time, not all that long ago, that some of the Sunshine Coast’s most outstanding real estate was prized for its agricultural value and its location came a very poor second. When there was work to be done, there was no time to sit back and enjoy spectacular views across the hinterland to the coast and never mind the mansion perfectly perched in the hills, it was luxury enough just to have a roof over your head. A lot has changed on the Blackall Range. Less than 150 years ago, loggers were cutting tracks up the slopes to Maleny and then into the vine scrubs in search of ‘red gold’ – cedar. Timber-getting around Maleny was recorded in the Government Gazette of 1864, while Montville’s first attraction was its cedar, beech and pine. There was a booming sawmilling industry in Mapleton where a mill opened on January 1, 1909, to process the tallowwood, blackbutt, stringy bark, grey gum and ironbark.

Bli Bli’s cane fields produced plenty of sugar

“

Less than 150 years ago, loggers were cutting tracks up the slopes to Maleny and then into the vine scrubs in search of ‘red gold’ – cedar

“

This rail line, built in 1891, went through Nambour to the banks of Maroochy South Arm, adjacent to Yandina

Sawn hardwood from Mapleton and Conondale mills was used in the 1935 construction of the Hornibrook Highway, the bridge linking Redcliffe and Brisbane. While the escarpment is today coveted for its views from elegant homestead balconies, its slopes then were a valuable tool for getting timber to market. Red cedar, beech, hoop and bunya pines were hauled to the range edge and slid down the side in a series of spectacular chutes before being hauled by bullock teams to the Maroochy and other rivers for shipment to Brisbane. Richard and Anne Remington arrived in Montville in 1890 to farm citrus and

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log timber, while George Butt, one of the first homestead selectors in Montville, grew strawberries at Western Avenue while waiting for his citrus trees to mature. In 1904, JP and E Seccombe selected 640 acres in Mapleton. They cleared the land and grew cultivated grasses to start a dairy. The family has been credited with introducing paspalum to Australia, growing it first in NSW and later in Mapleton. After family tragedy struck, the property was sold with the idea of building a sanatorium, but this didn’t eventuate and it was surveyed into small blocks and sold. It was reported on July 11, 1911: “Sale of the Mapleton Estate… a highly successful sale of the Mapleton Estate on Saturday. The sale was held on the ground and there was an attendance of fully 250. The bidding was brisk and the prices indicated the wonderful progress in the district during the past few years. “The total amount realised for about half the land was £5500, the prices ranging from £32 to £10 per acre.” At Mapleton, bananas, maize and pumpkins were among the first crops grown and citrus growing, especially oranges, hit its peak in the early 20th century. The pineapple industry started in 1905, macadamias in the 1930s, and avocados in 1945. Dairying was also important in the green foothills. It began on a commercial scale around the turn of the century. The coast’s first butter factory was built in continued over >

The Coast’s

butter factory first

was built in Maleny and opened on December 19, 1903, as the Maleny Co-Operative Dairy Company

Moreton Mill in Nambour, circa 1890

It was reported on July 11, 1911: “Sale of the Mapleton Estate… a highly successful sale of the Mapleton Estate on Saturday. The sale was held on the ground and there was an attendance of fully 250. The bidding was brisk and the prices indicated the wonderful progress in the district during the past few years. The total amount realised for about half the land was £5500, the prices ranging from £32 to £10 per acre.”

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Sunshine Coast < from previous page Maleny and opened on December 19, 1903, as the Maleny Co-Operative Dairy Company. Mr J McCarthy, who was the first selector in April 1879, is regarded as the founder of the dairying industry in Maleny. He sent his butter to Brisbane grocers in kegs and later experimented unsuccessfully with cheese making.

Timber was hauled to the range edge and slid down the side in a series of spectacular chutes

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

At Mapleton,

In 1903 there were 19 suppliers of cream and the factory made 10 hundredweight of butter a week, or 26 tons for the first year. It all began to change in the 1970s, when farmers first started to discover that there was more profit in home sites than hard work and there was more interest in their land than in their produce. During the past three decades the Blackall Range has become a hinterland haven, but one thing has never changed, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s its appeal to all-comers.

Coes Creek pineapple farm, 1970s

bananas, maize and pumpkins were among the ďŹ rst crops grown

The railway in Buderim, circa 1920s

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PHONE

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Sunshine Coast

Next stop: tourism by Dorothy Drane

A community shed on camping ground at Cotton Tree, 1920. The cotton tree is still there, opposite the King Street entrance.

Picnic grounds, Cotton Tree camp area near King Street, 1920

1959 The ﬁrst plane landed at Mudjimba Airstrip

housands of holidaymakers will again pour into the Sunshine Coast for the Easter long weekend to lap up the last of the summer holiday season weekends before what passes as winter officially sets in. Double lanes full of traffic snake north from Brisbane, camping grounds from the coast to Kenilworth fill with tents, and accommodation towers come alive with holidaymakers arriving from far and wide. While its proximity to Brisbane has always ensured the Sunshine Coast has had bumper Easter crowds, there has not always been the sheer weight of numbers that we now encourage and accommodate. Where tent cities of canvas and wooden poles would once rise from the council-owned beachfront caravan parks, today’s holidaymakers have a broad choice of holiday property choices from campsite to five-star resort. But it was not always this way.

“

Statistics are available that prove conclusively the fact that the tourist dollar beneﬁts everyone in the community

The constitution of the Sunshine Coast Promotion Bureau was ﬁrst adopted in March 1968. Its nine objectives included “to promote in every respect the development of shires of Landsborough, Maroochy and Noosa”, “to collect, compile and process information appertaining to primary and secondary industries, commercial interests and tourism” and “to explore the possibilities of establishing new industries and expanding industries based on local facilities and raw materials”.

“

Above: Civic Hall opening Right: Maroochy Airport opening speech, 1961

The Government Gazette of August 1, 1967, officially declared the name Sunshine Coast and soon after that, tourism became a serious industry rather than a simple supplement to the primary industries that dominated the local economy. The constitution of the Sunshine Coast Promotion Bureau was first adopted in March 1968. It was a simple document. Its nine objectives included “to promote in every respect the development of shires of Landsborough, Maroochy and Noosa”, “to collect, compile and process information appertaining to primary and secondary industries, commercial interests and tourism” and “to explore the possibilities of establishing new industries and expanding industries based on local facilities and raw materials”.

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It clearly spelt out that the income and property of the bureau “whencesoever derived” was to be applied solely to promotion of the objectives of the bureau and not to members. In his first annual report in March 1969, chairman Peter Sharpe (who became a Noosa Shire councillor in 1973) said the Tourist Industry SubCommittee was investigating “many items” including creation of an artificial reef off Mudjimba Island. Litter was a concern and it was decided that Landsborough and Maroochy should follow Noosa’s lead in having honorary wardens to keep the streets clean. The big event, though, was planning festivities for the opening of the new Mooloolaba Harbour. In April 1968, the tourist subcommittee had “almost completed all arrangements” for the first-ever familiarisation tour by travel agents from Sydney and Melbourne. It was deemed a great success with 14 representatives of southern travel agencies given a threeday tour of the Sunshine Coast by bureau members. The three local councils each contributed $70 towards the cost of the tour, which culminated in a “most enjoyable dinner at Tewantin”. By September 1968, the promotion bureau’s membership had climbed to 153 and in November, the Post Master General’s department approved the use of a postmark designed by the bureau to advertise the Sunshine Coast. It was overprinted on all outgoing mail through the Nambour post office in February, May and September 1969. In closing his report, Peter noted, “We have a tremendously difficult task ahead of the Bureau in promoting this Sunshine Coast right throughout Australia. In parts of Australia we are not even known, and this is detrimental to our future. “Statistics are available that prove conclusively the fact that the tourist dollar benefits everyone in the community.” He then appealed to the 169 members in March 1969, to pay a fee of $5 and to the three councils to give financial assistance, to help reach these goals. And the rest is history.

Mooloolaba, late 1950s

The Government Gazette of

August 1, 1967, ofﬁcially declared the name

Sunshine Coast Mooloolaba, mid 1960s

Tourism became a

serious industry rather than a simple supplement to the primary industries that dominated the local economy photo: greg gardner

Mooloolaba today

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Sunshine Coast

The centre of the Coast T

his great black and white photo was taken from the air in 1924 and looks down Maroochydore’s Duporth Avenue towards Mooloolaba. It shows little development along the now prestigious waterfront of Duporth Avenue, where resort-style apartment complexes and high-rises such as Banyandah Towers and Platinum now occupy the water’s edge. These days it’s near-impossible to get a residential block along this strip on the water, unless you buy one of a handful of homes along Picnic Point (which nowadays sell for well over $1 million). Basic investment units on the water start at around $400,000, but you can pay in excess of $8 million for a palatial two-level penthouse along Duporth. The median price for Maroochydore as of December 2009 was $449,000 for houses and $348,000 for units.

Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore, 1924

The riverfront between the hotel and Picnic Point, taken from a boat near Goat Island in 1920

An aerial of Maroochydore today, including Duporth Avenue

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Sunshine Coast

Water source by Dorothy Drane

Looking over Baroon Pocket Dam

Left to right: Don Aldous (Caloundra City mayor), Mike Ahern (Queensland premier), the late Fred Murray (Maroochy Shire mayor) at Baroon Pocket Dam, 1988

ecent rain may have eased the pressure on the Sunshine Coast water supply, but it hasn’t changed anything for local property owners affected by resumptions for the northern inter-connector pipeline. When city fathers began planning for future water needs, the last thing on their minds was that they might have to cater for an area beyond the boundaries of the Sunshine Coast. Their thinking was more about land resumptions to build dams to look after their own, than pipelines to take the precious resource they were collecting away from the region. The first real attention was paid to water as a community resource in the 1950s. Until then, it was every man for himself, with individual householders responsible for their own rainwater tanks. A dam site on Obi Obi Creek at Baroon Pocket was first identified in 1946 as a worthy water supply for both

“

Maroochy Shire implemented the region’s ﬁrst reticulated town water supply scheme by 1961

“

Martin Schultz lowers a pipe into the trench on the pipeline from Wappa Dam, watched by Eddie de Vere and Dave Low on the right, in 1959

Maroochy and Landsborough shires, but the proposal became lost in the rivalry between each council’s consulting engineers. In the 1950s, investigations found the whole scheme to be economically unviable and each shire went its own way. Maroochy Shire implemented the region’s first reticulated town water supply scheme by 1961. Wappa Dam was built on the upper reaches of the Maroochy River south of Yandina with a capacity of 4550 megalitres and the smaller diversion weir Poona Dam opened at Image Flat. A system of trunk mains took the water to the townships of Nambour, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Bli Bli, Coolum, Eumundi, Palmwoods, Woombye and Yandina.

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Caloundra’s major water supply scheme started in 1964 after a weir was built on the Mooloolah River and connected to a nearby earth ring tank, a trunk main to Caloundra and reticulation in the town area. It served a population of 3000. Within a decade, the water supply was already again under pressure. Maroochy Shire raised the level of Wappa Dam in 1971 and Landsborough Shire built Ewen Maddock Dam on Adlington Creek in 1975. Construction started on the Cooloolabin Dam in 1978. It was reported in August 1978 that, “Although further development in the region and accompanying increases in population will undoubtedly occur in the future, considerable provision for further growth in demand has been designed into the present water supply systems, which should ensure adequate supplies are available in the area up to the turn of the century.” As it turned out, the population exploded and one month after the 1985 local government election, Maroochy and Landsborough shires voted to proceed with construction of the Baroon Pocket Dam, on the same site first proposed some 40 years earlier. It was officially opened in May 1988 and, a success story from the start, has been the saviour of the central Sunshine Coast. The cost came in at less than $40 million, or $10 million under original estimate, and it was full to overflowing within five months. By comparison, the Cooloolabin Dam, with about one quarter of its capacity, was completed in 1979 and overflowed for the first time only a week earlier than Baroon Pocket. But while civic leaders can take a pat on the back for their vision in creating a successful water storage for the residents of Caloundra and Maroochy, their very foresight has been the undoing of new generations of landholders. The Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority took over the assets of the Caloundra Maroochy Water Supply Board in February 2008, and the northern connector pipeline was built so that the water from Baroon Pocket could be shared with southern neighbours.

Council chambers ofﬁce, corner of Currie Street in Nambour, mid 1950s

The

ﬁrst real attention was paid to water as a community resource in the

1950s

Caloundra’s major

It was reported in August 1978 that, “Although further development in the region and accompanying increases in population will undoubtedly occur in the future, considerable provision for further growth in demand has been designed into the present water supply systems, which should ensure adequate supplies are available in the area up to the turn of the century.” As it turned out, the population exploded and one month after the 1985 local government election, Maroochy and Landsborough shires voted to proceed with construction of Baroon Pocket Dam, on the same site ﬁrst proposed some 40 years earlier.

water supply scheme started in

1964

Baroon Pocket Dam’s ofﬁcial opening, May 1988

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Sunshine Coast

The gold-star performer These days Alexandra Headland is prime real estate with most of the suburbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s properties boasting ocean views. The record sale in the Coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Triangle was a home that sold for $2.62 million in 2007.

Alexandra Headland, mid 1960s Alexandra Headland, early 1970s

MUDJIMBA #/44/.7//$ 342%%4

OFFERS AROUND $1,000,000

NAMBOUR 1/32 MARY STREET

$199,000

Unit in High Demand Area First home buyers or Investors you need to take note -- this unit has to sell and is priced to do so. This two bedroom, one bathroom, open plan living unit with your own fully fenced courtyard located within a very easy stroll to catch the bus or train, walk the kids to school or visit the library. Great future potential when the old mill site is developed. Just one of those easy to rent units for an investor. Currently rented at $230 per week.

INSPECT By Appointment CAROLANS 5441 1344 DANIEL OAKES 0405 435 119 WEB www.carolans.net ID#1101394

Opportunity Knocks - This Property Will Be Sold! s %XECUTIVE HOME SITUATED ON ONE OF -UDJIMBA S LARGEST BLOCKS of land - 1,543 sq.m. that can be subdivided or potential development s %XTREMELY SPACIOUS BRM HOME ONLY M TO THE BEACH s %XPENSIVE )TALIAN PORCELAIN TILING THROUGHOUT THIS SPECTACULAR home s &ANTASTIC KITCHEN THAT THE WORLD S GREATEST CHEFS WOULD appreciate, featuring 2pac granite benches s -ASSIVE PERGOLA AREA OVERLOOKING THE HUGE INGROUND POOL FOR ALL TO ENJOY s 0LENTY OF ROOM FOR CARS 4HE HOME HAS A $,5' WITH INTERNAL ACCESS A SEPARATE DETACHED $,5' PLUS GARDEN SHEDS INSPECT Saturday 1.15-1.45pm KENNEDY FIRST NATIONAL 5448 8088 BRAD REED 0419 788 625 WEB www.kennedyďŹ rstnational.com.au

All the staff at F irst National wish you all a Very Happy and Safe Easter

Beerwah - 5494 6444

Caloundra - 5499 5600

Kawana - 5477 5107

Nambour - 5441 1344

Pacific Paradise - 5448 8088

Bribie Island - 3408 7000

Cooroy - 5447 6888

Maroochydore - 5479 6600

Noosa - 5449 8800

Palmwoods - 5445 9666

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Sunshine Coast

Early Nambour 1924 A ﬁre destroyed 17 businesses in Currie Street

Currie Street in 1917 – Donaldson’s butcher shop, Foley barber shop, Ford’s newsagent, Paling’s music house, Paris café, Commercial Hotel.

Mooloolaba Real Estate

First Nambour Court House, Currie Street.

5444 1066

MooloolabaRealEstate.com.au

Su In n spe 11 c am t S -1 at 2 & no on

since 1949

Central Large Lowset Unit – Very Low Body Corp Fees!! 4/96 Amarina Avenue, MOOLOOLABA

You Won’t Beat This

Large freestanding unit. Central to everything Mooloolaba offers with 3 big bedrooms and 2 separate outdoor living areas. Very low Body Corporate fees only $650 per year…. Private unit in rear of small pet friendly complex with no street noise. Lock-up garage and extra visitor’s car park location. No stairs and immaculate presentation. Central to bus, bowls, shopping, Mooloolaba beach and nightlife. Ideal for retirees/investors/ﬁrst home buyers. Inspections also available by appointment.

Representing great value in Rafﬂes Mooloolaba, this sought-after boutique complex is conveniently located within a short walk to the shops, restaurants and cafes along Mooloolaba’s alfresco strip leading to the Surf Club and patrolled beach. This spacious fully furnished apartment has recently been refurbished throughout. Two double size bedrooms with the master having an ensuite and spa bath. Fully equipped kitchen with quality appliances and granite benchtops, separate laundry, with the open plan living area leading out to a large balcony taking in ocean breezes.

Price: Great buying at $349,000

Price: $430,000

Contact: Roger White 0409 614 951

In 12 sp -1 ec 2. t S 45 a pm t

Contact: Mark ‘Ossie’ Osborne 0423 106 384

302 ‘Rafﬂes’, 65 First Avenue, MOOLOOLABA

Beach Frontage Luxury 219 ‘Alexandra Beach Resort’ 180 Alexandra Pde, ALEX HEADS 1 bedroom unit with extra large verandah overlooking pool. Fully furnished, air-conditioned. Presently let at $320/week. Complex includes lift, largest pool on the coast, gym, slippery dip, bbq areas, children’s playground. Only 50 metres off the beach. Close to shops and amenities, and also Alex Surf Club.

Price: $250,000

Contact: Morrie Bernhardt 0412 711 175

Affordable Oceanfront Opportunity s 4OP m OOR FULLY FURNISHED APARTMENT s 'REAT OCEAN VIEWS s 2EFURBISHED KITCHEN AND BATHROOM s 3WIMMING POOL ,5' s 3HORT WALK TO BEACH SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS

Address: 22 ‘Bellardoo’, 2 Meta St, Mooloolaba Price: $412,000 Contact: Roger White 0409 614 951

Alexandra Headland Fabulous beach pad 50m off beach. Fully furnished, air conditioned studio unit. Walk from verandah and fall into the largest pool on the coast. Will rent for $250pw approx or can be holiday let.

Address: 127 ‘Alexandra Beach Resort’, 180 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland Price: $185,000 Contact: Morrie Bernhardt 0412 711 175

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Sunshine Coast

The Coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of cars C

entral parking arrived in Nambour around the mid- to late-1950s. Back then, you could buy a new Holden FX sedan for around Â£675.

Street parade in Nambour, 1960s Central parking arrives, Nambour, circa 1950 No Up Front Fees No Hidden Costs

$599,000

Little Mountain, "ROLGA #OURT

$589,000

EA T

VA L

Little Mountain, 26 Hillview Crescent

BIG AND BEAUTIFUL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A DREAM HOME WITH VIEWS s )MPRESSIVE FROM THE MOMENT YOU WALK IN THE FRONT DOOR s !LL ROOMS GENEROUS IN SIZE BEAUTIFUL HIGH CEILINGS FOR SPACE s $UCTED AIR COND FOR COMFORT AN EASY LIVING DESIGN s SEP LIVING AREAS DOWNSTAIRS PLUS TH BDRM AND BATHROOM s #ENTRAL AND MODERN KITCHEN WITH 3 3 APPLIANCES

Elizabeth 0410 277 262

EXCEPTIONAL VALUE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SPACIOUS HOME ON NEARLY Â¾ ACRE

s 5PSTAIRS BDRMS MAIN WITH LOVELY ENSUITE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS s 2OOM FOR YOUR FAMILY TO GROW AND ENJOY WITHOUT BEING ON TOP OF YOUR NEIGHBOURS PLUS FAN !LL HAVE ")2S CARPET AND SEC SCREENS s )NVITING INGROUND POOL WITH FANTASTIC COVERED OUTDOOR AREA s /PEN FAMILY !.$ MEALS AREA OFF THE KITCHEN s $,5' YARD WITH VEGIE PATCH INCLUDED &ULLY FENCED s BEDROOM "ATHROOM HOME IS SET ON A LARGE PRIVATE M2 BLOCK OF LAND s 3O CLOSE TO EVERYTHING .OTHING TO DO BUT MOVE IN

OPEN HOME SATURDAY 12.30-1PM

INSPECT BY APPOINTMENT

Shane 0431 635 339

$419,000

Little Mountain, ,AKESHORE 0LACE

$425,000

Sippy Downs, #OLUMBIA 3TREET

s &EATURING A DOUBLE GARAGE PLUS HUGE FOUR SPACE CARPORT ROOM TO ADD A LARGE WORKSHED A POOL YOUR BOAT OR CARAVAN s &ORMAL LOUNGE DINING AREA AIRCONDITIONED FOR YOUR COMFORT s 'ENEROUS SIZED KITCHEN 2EAR COURTYARD !.$ BBQ AREA MAKES THE HOME PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING

SENSATIONAL VALUE WITH SWIMMING POOL s 7ONDERFUL FAMILY HOME WELL PRESENTED s -ODERN OPEN PLAN KITCHEN TO DINING AREA WITH "AY 7INDOW s %XCELLENT SIZE LIVING AREA GREAT DESIGN s -ASTER BED WITH ENSUITE AWAY FROM OTHER BEDROOMS s M2 BLOCK WITH SIDE ACCESS FOR BOAT ETC

Shane 0431 635 339

AFFORDABLE 4 BEDDER s 3PARKLING INGROUND POOL WITH LAWN AREA FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY s %XCELLENT FOR THE YOUNG FAMILY OR INVESTOR s 0ASSED BUILDING PEST VERY WELL MAINTAINED s 7ON T LAST SOUGHT AFTER AREA ).30%#4 ./7

OPEN HOME SATURDAY 3-3.30PM

www.gogecko.com.au

s 'REAT LOCATION CORNER BLOCK ROOM FOR POOL AND SIDE ACCESS s /PEN PLAN TILED AIR CONDITIONED LIVING AND DINING AREA s 'OOD SIZE KITCHEN WITH PLENTY OF CUPBOARD SPACE s BEDROOMS WITH ")2 S AND MASTER WITH ENSUITE s 0OSITIONED IN A FAMILY FRIENDLY AREA EASY WALK TO LOCAL SHOPS

2 Shane 0431 635 339

s %NTRY LEVEL WELL PRESENTED HOME s #ENTRAL MAIN BATHROOM WITH SEP BATH !.$ SEP TOILET s ! SHORT BIKE RIDE TO -ERIDAN 3TATE #OLLEGE s -INUTES TO #ALOUNDRA #"$ AND PRISTINE BEACHES

INSPECT BY SATURDAY 12-12.30PM

Office: Shop 5, 9 Bulcock Street, Caloundra. Ph 5499 7859 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010 93

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Sunshine Coast

Kawanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shifting sands Left: Shifting sand dunes were used as ďŹ ll during the early stages of Kawanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development in 1960

Below: Aerial of Kawana, 1979

1977 Kawana Estates threatens to stop development if approval is given to local nude beach

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

In Kawana, the only land that was developed was around Harbour Parade in 1967. It was a while after that they did Adaluma Avenue. What got Kawana going was Noel Burns, who worked for the developer Kawana Estates. He decided to do house and land villages, this was the late 70s early 80s. It was about $18,000 for the house and land and you got you a three-bedroom brick home

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Jean Hamer, Jean Hamer Prime Properties

Ph : 5445 6144

we love it! we live in it! we specialise in it! BUDERIM 9/38 Mill Road

56 Burnett Street, Buderim QLD 4556 www.brownrealty.com.au propertysales@brownrealty.com.au

brown realty putting the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;realâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; back in real estate

BUDERIM 23 Mons School Road

Study

Pool

EASY AND CONVENIENT LIVING ON BUDERIM

SENSATIONAL VALUE FOR VIEWS & ACREAGE

Good size living, a large paved patio area with a north eastern aspect, plus a well located complex make this unit ideal for those buyers seeking security, comfort and convenience. This immaculate 3 bedroom ensuited, single level property is ready to simply move in and enjoy. s 7ALK TO LOCAL AND "UDERIM SHOPS AND TRANSPORT s 3PACIOUS AIR CONDITIONED TILED OPEN PLAN LIVING WITH HIGH CEILINGS s 3MALL PET POSSIBLE WITH APPROVAL 7ELL MAINTAINED PROPERTY AND COMPLEX

s 3PACIOUS FAMILY HOME UNIQUE STYLE OÂť ERING VERSATILITY s ACRES SOME USEABLE AREA WITH GOOD HINTERLAND VIEWS s 5PSTAIRS BEDROOMS LIVING AREAS BATHROOMS MODERN KITCHEN AND LARGE COVERED DECK s $OWNSTAIRS OPEN PLAN AREA KITCHENETTE BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY )DEAL SELF CONTAINED AREA BILLIARD ROOM RETREAT OR WORK FROM HOME OPTION s #OMFORTABLE AS IS OR ADD YOUR OWN STYLE s 0RIVATE CONVENIENT LOCATION

Low Body Corp. Fees $399,000 Open Sat 1-1.45pm BUDERIM 88 Mons School Road

Pam Paten 0412 957 403 Mike Paten 0412 070 833 5

Bring your Imagination and Explore the Possibilities

$599,000 2

Open Sat 11-11.45am

BUDERIM PROPERTIES Character Duplex on Top. *UST COMPLETED AND QUITE UNIQUE THIS BEDROOM BATHROOM DOUBLE GARAGE HOME has high ceilings, timber ďŹ&#x201A;oors, large verandahs and a small pet is ok. Easy care garden, walk to town. $599,000 Established Family Home, Prime Position. Quiet culDE SAC ON NORTHERN ESCARPMENT CLOSE TO &OOTE 3ANCTUARY 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living areas, pool and decks. $799,000

ACREAGE SURROUNDS WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG! )MAGINE l NDING A LOW MAINTENANCE PROPERTY SURROUNDED BY TRANQUIL TREES GIVING YOU THE FEELING OF ACREAGE LIVING WITHOUT BEING A SLAVE TO THE LAWNMOWER OR THE BANK 4HIS AÂť ORDABLE PROPERTY OÂť ERS SQM OF USABLE LAND AND A MODERN 5 bedroom home. Recline in the separate lounge room or cook up a storm in the large modern, gourmet kitchen. Two other living areas ďŹ&#x201A;ow out to a fully fenced backyard and a large roofed entertainment area.

Step Inside And Be Surprised! $549,000 Open 11-11.45am

+YLIE )SBEL 0412 554 233

Queenslander on Acreage. 3ET ON ACRES TRANQUIL cul de sac, 3 bedrooms, 2 studies, spacious living zones, decks, pool, 3 car accomm, plus mini orchard. $849,000 Family Home, Dual Living Possible on 1.5 Acres. #LOSE TO "UDERIM VILLAGE COMFORTABLE STOREY BRICK HOME GREAT gardens plus north eastern aspect. $679,000

Pam Paten 0412 957 403

Pam Paten 0412 957 403 Mike Paten 0412 070 833

KYLIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OPEN HOMES â&#x20AC;Ś 5 Norman Ave, Maroochydore - $619,000 300m to water, 500m to Plaza, immaculate 3 bed + study, 2 bath, 2 car + 9x7 garage ? teenage retreat/ home business, 615mÂ˛, 263mÂ˛ building. Rentable at $700pw, Fastest coast growth area. Open Tues 6th to Fri 9th 4-5pm 27 Toulambi Dr - $879,000 Love privacy? 5282mÂ˛, Â˝ rainforest, 5 bed + study, 3 bath, 2 car, 4 living areas, pool. Open Sat 10-10.45am 13 James Ct - $495,000 BED BATH CAR CUTE QUEENSLANDER SOME OCEAN VIEWS 1047mÂ˛, 9x6 room downstairs, top location. Open Sat 12-12.45pm 47 Lauren Dr - $465,000 3 bed, 2 bath, polished timber ďŹ&#x201A;oors, dlug + pool.

Open Sat 1-1.45pm

10 Scenic Ave - $632,000 )MMACULATE BED PARENTS RETREAT STUDY ENSUITE DLUG LIVING areas, ďŹ&#x201A;at 799mÂ˛, walk to town, ocean peeps. Inspect by App.

+YLIE )SBEL

94 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

River transit T

he Maroochy River bar was too hazardous for shipping, so a depot was established at Mooloolaba, however the Maroochy River was commonly used to raft timber and produce. A Brisbane Sawmill owner, William Pettigrew opened a sawmill on the Maroochy riverbank in 1891 and continued to run his steamers in the Maroochy River.

1908 Maroochydore River waterfront allotments go up for sale

Above: Cotton Tree wharf where boats were used to transfer passengers and goods to Dunethin Rock, Yandina etc

Maroochydore 1912, it is suggested this was taken from Chambers Island looking back towards Bradman Avenue

TREVOR HICKS 0413 639 249

TANAWHA, 8 Anna Close

BUDERIM, 1/157 Mooloolaba Road

This House Sized Dupled Ticks All the Boxes

Offers around

$525000

On Buderim - Quiet Position - Rear Duplex - Pet Friendly. • Pet friendly complex and fully fenced large courtyard. • Walk to local shops -short drive to Mooloolaba Beach and coffee shops & cafes. • Built in 2003 and maintained in immaculate condition throughout. • Large open plan north facing living areas opening to large courtyard. • Ideal property to lock up and leave while you are travelling.

MONS, 8 Timberdale Court

The Timeless Beauty of a Modern Queensland

Offers around $1m

OUTSTANDING VALUE! - DON’T MISS THIS ONE! - INSPECTION IS A MUST! • Exceptional large open living areas open to exceptional large outdoor living areas. • Polished selected hardwood timber floor and high ceilings throughout. • Private, secluded position & central to Buderim’s shopping, cafes & schooling. • Professionally landscaped gardens - workshop area - I.G. Pool. • Elevated position captures cooling summer breezes - quiet cul-de-sac position.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION Easter Sat & Mon 11-12 noon

Superb Modern Queenslander on a Private Acre

Submit ALL Offers

Interstate Owner Regrettably Instructs “ MUST SELL My Lovely Property”

OPEN FOR INSPECTION Easter Sat & Mon 2-3pm

• Central & private position - handy to Buderim’s cafes, shopping & schooling. • Large open plan living areas opens to the north and views of natural bushland area. • High ceilings - large outdoor living area - air conditioned - I.G. Pool. • Town water + 22500 litre rainwater tank - parking for boat or van + 5 car garage. • Large ensuite & WIR to master bedroom, semi ensuite to bedroom two.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION Easter Sat & Mon 12.30-1.30pm

www.buderimrealestate.com.au 96 My Property Preview | April 1, 2010

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Sunshine Coast

Kawana rises from the dunes T

hese photos show the development of Kawana plus the Spit and wharf at Mooloolaba. Median house prices for Buddina as of December 2009 were $575,000.

“

My father John Gould sold 29 Beltana Crescent, Buddina in December 1988 for $93,000 and I sold it again for $450,000 at the end of last year, and it was pretty much in original condition

“

Glennis Schindler, Vic Murphy Real Estate

An aerial view of Kawama, February 20, 1930 with the ‘X’ marking small areas of development

photo: www.sunshinecoastphotos.com.au

Aerial view of Point Cartwright, Kawana and Mooloolaba today

“

In the late 70s they put all the land along Nicklin Way for sale for $1000 a block

“

Jean Hamer, Jean Hamer Prime Properties

photo: www.sunshinecoastphotos.com.au

An aerial of early canal development in Kawana, circa 1970

An aerial of Kawana today and, inset, part of the December 2, 1960 Alfred Grant advertisement My Property Preview | April 1, 2010 97

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 2009

FREE – YOURS TO KEEP

How Kawana grew from the sand dunes

award IA

COAST TRAFFIC JAM, MID 1960S PAGE

Page 1.indd 1

ISSUE 62

TU FEA

IEW

91 DI

N M Y H O ME

MY HOME REVIEW | STYLING YOUR KITCHEN | DISPLAY HOME & MORE 21/10/2009 10:12:26 AM

cover story

Sands of time by Dorothy Drane

The original developers of Kawana Waters had vision, but even they could not have foreseen how the area has grown. MPR looks back at Kawana’s humble and sand-swept beginnings. n the beginning, there were wind-blown sand dunes, wallum and tea-tree swamp – and that was less than 50 years ago. Few other places on the Sunshine Coast have grown up so completely in the past 49 years as Kawana Waters. Until the early 1960s, anyone wanting to travel between Caloundra and Mooloolaba had to travel out to the Bruce Highway, and even when the missing link we now know as Nicklin Way opened, it was still a deeply rutted, sandy track. When it was sealed in 1964, and bridges built over Currimundi Creek and the Mooloolah River, it ran like a black ribbon through a wilderness, swept by sand storms that were driven by winds unstopped by vegetation or housing. The only high land was the headland at Point Cartwright, with two sand dunes and a swamp up to a metre deep keeping the ocean from breaking through to the almost 4000 acres that have become known as Kawana. The busy four-lane highway lined with residential and commercial development that we know today is testament to the incredible vision of that late Noel Burns, who rightly became known as Mr Kawana. The story, as told by Anne Wensley and Janice and John Groves in their history Kawana’s Yesterdays, began with the development company Alfred Grant, which purchased 160 acres of freehold land from Arthur and Cyril Parkyn in 1959. Premier Sir Frank Nicklin announced the release of a further 2426 acres of crown land to the developer a year later. Landsborough Shire Council held another 1400 acres of freehold land and was promised 2.5 per cent of the proceeds from its eventual sale to the public. The initial plan was to build a 91-metrewide canal creating a Kawana Island bound by ocean and the Mooloolah River 13 kilometres west, and Currimundi Creek north to Tuckers Creek. Hydraulic problems prevented the scheme going ahead.

The Nicklin Way in the mid-1960s was a thin bitumen track Noel ‘Mr Kawana’ Burns, managing director of Kawana Estates, 1963-1980

An aerial view of Kawana, February 20, 1930. ‘X’ marks small areas of development

4 My Property Review | October 23, 2009

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21/10/2009 10:20:39 AM

An aerial of early canal development in Kawana, December 1969

Premier Frank Nicklin (centre) opening the Nicklin Way on June 5,1965. On the left is JCF O’Kearney, chairman of the Board of Directors of Kawana Estates, and right is Alfred Grant

Very early stages of Kawana Waters development

Shifting sand dunes were used as fill during the early stages of Kawana’s development in 1960

Part of the December 2, 1960 Alfred Grant advertisement

“

Living at Kawana Waters before 1970 was a little better than camping in your own home. Even electricity connection to the ﬁrst homes was limited

“

In February 1960, Alfred Grant advertised the sale of allotments at ‘Buddina Beach’ from £495 and offered a 10 per cent discount for cash. There was a credit squeeze in the early 1960s, and the development, like the Alfred Grant development company, was floundering. Enter Noel Burns. A young accountant with Network Finance, which as Hooker Finance had put up the funds for Alfred Grant, Noel set about resurrecting the development and formed a subsidiary group known as Kawana Estates. The first 50 homes were sold at a loss, as an incentive to buyers, but through the novel idea of the developer offering finance for house and land package deals, it could continue to offer cheaper house and land packages than its neighbours. The rest, as they say, is history. Buddina in the north and Cooinda in the south were first cabs off the rank, followed by Warana in 1978, Wurtulla in 1980 and Bokarina in 1985. The canals and lakes of Kawana were not so much a lifestyle choice as an effective way to drain the swamp. Sand was dredged to create the canals and to fill the land sites and the original Kawana Island scheme was finally completely abandoned. Grass was planted to hold the sand in place and stop the fine sand storms that would regularly sweep through. Sand was also removed from the frontal dune in 1960, to help with filling building sites at the northern end of Kawana. The Nicklin Way was completed and officially opened in 1965 and promoted as “6 ½ miles of double lane bitumen between Caloundra and Mooloolaba with underground pipe drainage throughout”. The first Kawana Estates sales office stood out as a beacon, the only building sitting in what appeared to be a windswept desert. Houses that made up the Kawana Estates Display Village, which opened in 1967, have since disappeared. The authors of Kawana’s Yesterdays report that before 1970, there was no town water, post box, mail delivery, bus service, school, banks, public phones, street names, street lights or kerb and channelling. “Living at Kawana Waters before 1970, was a little better than camping in your own home,” they say. “Even electricity connection to the first homes was limited.” Nevertheless, 741 allotments had been sold by the end of 1969, 10 new homes were

An ad from a Kawana Estates brochure – the fisherman is Ken Guy, who used to work for Noel Burns

My Property Review | October 23, 2009 5

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21/10/2009 10:21:11 AM

built in 1969 and in 1970. Blocks on the Nicklin Way near Currimundi Creek at Wurtulla were selling for $1000. The first land at Point Cartwright sold for $9900. By 1973, 126 homes were under construction and an average house and land package cost $13,500. Buddina State School opened with 252 pupils in January 1979 after three years of lobbying by Kawana parents. The Kawana High School opened seven years later. Building a busy and thriving community from a swamp extends the imagination of even the most fervent believer, but when Noel Burns, who ended up as director and general manager of Kawana Estates from 1963 until 1980, died in 2006 at the age of 78, his vision had been well and truly realised. In a 1980s inteview, he said, “I never doubted that Kawana would take off, but there were times that I despaired. I’ve never been under any illusions about the place, but you have to believe in what you are selling.” Kawana’s Yesterdays by Anne Wensley and Janice and John Groves is available from Angus and Robertson in Caloundra.

Kawana, December 28, 1966

All images courtesy of the book Kawana’s Yesterday

cover story

Alfred Grant advertising feature, December 2, 1960

An ad for a home in a local paper, circa 1992 An aerial view of the northern end of Kawana from the 1960s

6 My Property Review | October 23, 2009

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21/10/2009 10:22:14 AM

FRIDAY, JULY 3 2009

FREE – YOURS TO KEEP

POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST Looking back at the developments that shaped Caloundra ISSUE 46

RENTALS | PROPERTIES FOR SALE | NEW HOME REVIEW SECTION & MORE...

Cover.indd 1

7/1/2009 11:30:40 AM

cover story

bby D Dorothy th D Drane

Caloundra’s first residents knew that their slice of paradise had potential, but even they would be struck by the popularity of the Sunshine Coast’s sprawling southern city. MPR looks back at the growth of Caloundra. he Sunshine Coast’s land development history has some major players at its core, most of them recognising the area’s potential for future residential estates in the 1960s, when it was known only as the North Coast. TM Burke had vast landholdings from Peregian to Sunshine Beach, Rex Testro’s Suncoast Developments had leases on all the land between Mudjimba and Coolum, and Alfred Grant started at Point Cartwright and moved south, developing his Kawana estates. In Caloundra, it was the Henzell family who pioneered subdivisions from Battery Hill, Aroona and Currimundi south to Golden Beach – and unlike the other big land development companies, it is still a local family operation. Judy Henzell is a matriarch, not just to her family, but to a land dynasty – one that has provided housing for thousands of families since her father-in-law opened Caloundra’s first real estate agency in 1935, and continues today with the massive Pelican Waters success story. Although at 81, she continues to travel the world – she has just returned from Iceland – Judy is a local girl who dotes on her children and 13 grandchildren, and who also continues to call the area their great-grandfather Roy Henzell opened up, home. Judy Mclean was born in Maleny where her father owned a bakery and a greengrocers, in 1928. When she was 10, her father retired and the family moved to Caloundra where she was one of three pupils in her class at the Caloundra State School. One of the other two was a boy called Bevan Henzell, whose father, Roy, had started Caloundra’s first real estate agency three years earlier. Both later went to boarding school in Brisbane and then Bevan went on to study accountancy while Judy did her nursing training at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. She never quite got to work as a nurse, though, as the two childhood friends were married in 1949. She was 21 and he was 22. “He was my first boyfriend,” she says. “I told him not to waste his money on other girls as he would never find anyone better than me.” They first built a house in Burgess Street and then, in the early 1950s, bought five blocks of land between Albert Street and the beachfront at Shelly Beach, for £990. “We built a house on one of the blocks and raised our family – Mary, Roy, Annie and Kate,” Judy says. Bevan followed his father into the family real estate business and Judy, like all good women of the day, dedicated herself to raising the children – “it was the husband’s job to keep his wife in those days”, she says, adding that the most she did was organise the office Christmas parties. The dynasty began with Roy Henzell snr and his wife Maisie who moved to Caloundra from Toowoomba. He quickly realised the potential of the area and in 1946

Caloundra in the early to mid 1960s

Golden Beach, late 1988 purchased the large parcel of land at Golden Beach that half a century later was to become the Pelican Waters estate. “He was a true visionary,” Judy says. “Dad Henzell would always keep a block or two in an estate just in case he needed it and I remember in about the late ’50s he sold me 10 of these blocks for £100.” In 1960, Roy snr started developing

residential subdivisions at Golden Beach, working south from Gregory Street and ultimately “over the bridge” to Diamond Head. Many of the streets in Roy’s early Golden Beach subdivisions were named after his family – his son Bevan and his wife Judy, his daughter Joan and her husband Verdon among them.

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continued over >

Caloundra C Ca alo lou un ndr ndr dra in in the the he late laatte 1950s 195500s 19

“

He was a true visionary. Dad Henzell would always keep a block or two in an estate just in case he needed it and in about the late ’50s he sold me 10 of these blocks for £100

“

By this time he was up to Golden Beach number 10. The sales brochure, advising buyers to phone Caloundra 23 or 39 for more information, promised, “we do not handle rubbish, nor will we under any circumstances ask you to buy anything at a value we ourselves would consider excessive”. It also announced “we believe that the majority of our clients are decent people and to a great extent, people who can buy an allotment with our assistance. We think that in offering this assistance, we place you under no obligation.” It also gave the reassurance “there is no quick-fire salesmanship used by this office. There is no urging – you make your own mind up. You deal with people who all live in Caloundra when you deal with Henzells.” And without much advertising, section seven had sold out in three weeks, section eight in four weeks and section nine in six weeks. When Roy snr died in 1962, Bevan took over the agency and the family’s land interests. Some of his early developments were at Currimundi, Battery Hill and Aroona. In the mid ’60s, a brochure extolling the virtues of the new estate Aroona – “a natural estate on the fabulous Sunshine Coast” – lists home sites from $7500 to $10,500, with the promise of it being “your chance to invest in the still unspoilt but fast-developing Sunshine Coast”. Buyers were told, “the whole of the Sunshine Coast, of which Aroona is now part, is a golden playground to rival all others” with bitumen roads, telephone available and water “laid on” just 3.2 kilometres from central Caloundra. Bevan, like his father, was a visionary. After developing Battery Hill, his interests returned to the family’s holdings at Golden Beach. When the dry blocks of Diamond Head were sold, it was time to look west to the “1000 acres for £1000” land of the tea-trees that Roy snr had purchased in 1946. Original 1881 documents of the “Deed of Grant for Conditional Purchase” for 2372 acres bestowed on William Landsborough for his exploration efforts are held in a safe at Pelican Waters, for it was this site that captured Roy snr’s interest. To anyone else, the land was impenetrable tea-tree swamp, but Bevan had an idea to use the waterways to create waterfront allotments and in 1970, the family produced a conceptual layout for the extension of their Diamond Head subdivision to create ‘wet blocks’ or a canal subdivision.

The Bulcock Estate advertisement from 1917

Looking over Caloundra to Bribie Island in 1934

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< from overleaf

An early for sale sign featuring an easy two-digit phone number

Golden Beach and Pelican Waters, late 1993

photo: brad filliponi

There was a lot of work to be done in obtaining approvals and meeting conditions, although then Landsborough Shire chairman Jack Beausang did say that Bevan was “one of the fairest men I have ever dealt with. He would come in and ask, not demand.” If the canal estate was to go ahead, it first meant building a suitable bridge to replace the old structure that was little more than a causeway and regularly flooded. “We were looking at a lot of debt as there was a lot to be done before we could sell any land,” Judy says. “And it was still considered to be a good way out of town. They were anxious times.” In around 1982, the Henzell family, having prepared a full environmental impact study, applied for the first stage of their canal development, but it was almost a decade later, involving years of wrangling to meet Local Government approvals, before things really got underway. Bevan died in 1982, and never did get to see “mullet jumping in the canals” of his new estate. His son Roy took over and in 1989, in partnership with Garry Waters, finally got things moving. At this time, only about 20 blocks had actually been produced. But once the ball was rolling, it was hard to stop, and the Pelican Waters master plan is now about 60 per cent complete. “Bevan wanted to build a golf course,” Judy says. “It was so hard to imagine it as the area was so thick with bush. He had a vision for something like Pelican Waters but he wouldn’t have realised just how big it would become.” The estate now has its golf course, as well as a hotel and shopping centre. A town centre with restaurants, boutique retail stores, child-care and medical centres and a commercial area, plus 1750 dwelling units, is on the way. Even a visionary like Roy Henzell snr would have been hard-pressed to imagine the sheer scale of his dream that has become Pelican Waters. His business, though, still remains in the family and is in its fourth generation – Roy snr, Bevan, Roy jnr and now his son Mclean, named after his grandmother’s maiden name, who has recently joined the sales team. “Caloundra has been very good to us,” Judy says. “But we never knew that Pelican Waters would sell so well because it was so far out of town and in the flats. It was a risky business, but it turned out the times were just right.”

Mclean, Roy H Henzellllll Ml JJudy d and dR Pelican Waters continues to grow

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 2008

FREE – YOURS OURS TO KEEP

A TRIP BACK IN TIME Paying tribute to the Coast’s humble beginnings ISSUE 13

HINTERLAND | COMMERCIAL | NEW HOMES & LAND | CLASSIFIEDS & MORE... Page 1.indd 1

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The way we were by Dorothy Drane

How things have changed in less than a lifetime. Today it seems that there is no end to the road works, new residential developments and commercial sites springing up in our region, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always so. Dorothy Drane looks back at a time when Kawana was a swamp and the highlight of Cotton Tree was a black swan.

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ook kids – one day there will be houses through here,” my father said as we bumped along the dirt road between Mooloolaba and Caloundra in his old Kombi van. It was the early ’60s and we sincerely thought the old man had taken leave of his senses. The idea of houses being built in this remote place – with scattered wind-beaten trees and beach grass leading down to sand dunes on one side and swamp on the other – was absurd. The road was rocky as well as full of potholes, and when the old Kombi went down with a flat tyre just on dusk, it was a family drama akin to being stuck somewhere west of the black stump. It had been a pleasant day out though, heading off early with a Sunday picnic from Nambour to King’s Beach, where the older folks could patronise a small stand selling boiling water for their teapots while the kids joined a few other local children playing on the beach. There was more sand and grass than concrete and bitumen in those days. Much later, the spot where we had picked up the flat tyre was to be known as Kawana and the rocky road was sealed and called the Nicklin Way. My father, of course, was right. Less than half a century later, not only are there houses and grand canal estates along that strip, but there are also huge commercial and industrial centres way beyond the wildest dreams of any picnicking families of the ’60s. And to think that some of the first blocks in Kawana sold for around £495 in 1960. By the 1970s, as stickybeaking teenagers, we would head down what was by then a sealed, but still narrow, two-lane road towards Caloundra, before turning off at a sandy beach trail to reach the dunes at Shangri-La. The section of secluded beach had nude and topless bathers and seemed ever-so naughty to the young voyeurs who dared to go and peek. Had it not be shut down some time in the late ’70s, it would no doubt cause quite a fuss among the residents who now live in its vicinity between Warana and Wurtulla. Usually, though, we went to Cotton Tree where a slippery slide and diving platform in the middle of a little bay near a grassy verge, which was to become an Olympic swimming pool site, was at the whim of the tide. Sometimes it was easy for small children to climb up to the platform and slide into the water. At other times the water was so deep that only the teenagers dared swim out to it. There was also a wading pool in the adjacent park, which had a magnificent green pillar topped by a black swan at its centre and the old cotton trees were perfect for climbing and playing hide and seek. A little store that >

photo courtesy of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast 1880s-1980s

“L

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cover story stood in the centre of a large traffic island at the end of nearby Sixth Avenue made the best hamburgers in town. When we grew older, we went to Cotton Tree for the rollerdrome, at the King Street end of the Esplanade, where spacious apartment blocks and coffee shops have long since replaced the big block and concrete structure that rocked to hits like Knock Three Times. It was one of the few really exciting things to do after dark and local teens would come from far and wide to carry out their courting rituals on wheels. The Star Cinema in Baden Powell Street, Maroochydore, with its low-slung canvas seats, was another groovy place to go, clad in cheesecloth and reeking of patchouli oil, or there was the Beach theatre in downtown Cotton Tree. Mooloolaba also had a picture theatre, the Pacific – which stood on the corner of Brisbane Road and the Esplanade where the Peninsular tower was later built – but its star was also fading by the ’70s. The old picture theatres lost business to the Maroochydore drive-in theatre that opened off Maud Street in the early 1970s. At that time you could buy a three-bedroom brick and tile home along Maud Street, which backed onto the golf course, for around $28,000. By this time, the Kawana strip was really moving ahead. From the Big W site, without the trees and gardens that have grown up, it appeared a long, straight road lined by telegraph poles. Houses soon cropped up along the Nicklin Way, one with arches, one with square windows, one an L-shape but every fifth one exactly the same. It’s hard to tell that there was a pattern to their construction now, as gardens and renovations have wiped out the obvious repetition in design. And now it’s not just Kawana or Kawana Waters, but Buddina, and Birtinya and Bokarina and Warana and Wurtulla. Neither is it a problem if you get a flat tyre. In fact, you couldn’t be better placed.

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DID YOU KNOW?

photo courtesy of Queensland;s Sunshine Coast 1880s-1980s

photo courtesy of Queenslandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sunshine Coast 1880s-1980s

photo courtesy of Queensland;s Sunshine Coast 1880s-1980s

t *O UIF QPQVMBUJPO PG UIF $PBTU XBT *U T OPX t In the mid â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s, a standard block in Alexandra Headland cost about XIJMF B CMPDL BMPOH 1BMN Drive, Mooloolaba cost about $1000. t *O UIF T BDDPSEJOH UP Kawanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yesterdays, as part of World War II, Currimundi, Wurtulla and Kawana were used for live firing of artillery, mortar and anti-tank weapons. Unexploded bombs can still be found to this day. t The name â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sunshine Coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; became official in the Government Gazette of "VHVTU

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yarn

Changing lanes by Dorothy Drane

The view over Alexandra Headland has changed dramatically in 50 short years, but what does the future hold for this iconic beach strip? Dorothy Drane looks at the State Governmernt’s plan to introduce six lanes of traffic to the beach. t would be nice to think that we learn from our mistakes, but it seems that don’t, and for Coast residents, we no longer have a lot of control over our own destiny. In the late ’70s, the Sunshine Coast catchcry was that ‘we didn’t want to be another Gold Coast’, and ‘high-rise’ and ‘development’ were dirty words. For the most part, local governments and developers worked together to ensure the central Sunshine Coast in particular didn’t become another Surfers Paradise, where buildings cast long shadows across the beach. Height limits and beach setbacks were agreed, leaving a four-lane road and public space between accommodation and beach – space that it was hoped would be put to good use. There has been plenty of opportunity for carefully considered improvements for this space, as well as hundreds of thousands of public dollars spent on sending politicians at both local and state levels on overseas junkets to check out what the rest of the world is doing. So, we reach 2008 with the makings of a superior coastal resort strip from Mooloolaba to Cotton Tree. Developers have been forced back from the beach and government decision-makers have been educated in what can be done to put the coastal precincts to best use. But, it seems, we are about to throw it all away, and even Mayor Bob Abbot appears to be powerless to do for the central Coast what he did for Noosa in terms of providing pedestrian-friendly arcades and malls to maximise our coastal opportunities. The cause for concern is the State Government’s CoastConnect project, which seeks to widen the beachfront esplanades to six lanes to make room for buses. What a bizarre plan. What an absurd concept. What a waste. Sure, there were public consultation sessions – at huge expense to the taxpayer – to seek the stakeholders’ views, but from my observation, they were more about selling the idea to the people than asking them what they thought of it. In fact, two accommodation managers were overheard to be in a desperate debate with a Queensland Transport officer who had clearly undertaken some sort of training on ‘how to fend off difficult questions, sell your product and convince all-comers that you are doing something really good for them’. It is frightening that the project has come this far and, it seems, is on such a roll that it would take a lot of people power and barrels of political dynamite to blow it out of the water. So, why is it so offensive? Firstly, we have this rare opportunity to create a superb beachfront precinct. Town planner and former councillor Jim Birrell has already thrown lots of brilliant ideas around on how the coastal strip between building and beach could become an attractive pedestrian-priority precinct. As such a rare space, surely it should be used for leisurely enjoyment, not urban motorway. There is a great need for buses and better public transport, but isn’t that what Maroochy Boulevard is for? Isn’t that why a bus lane was built there? Anyone commuting between Caloundra and Sunshine Plaza will want to take the fast route, and that isn’t winding around Alexandra Headland. On the highways to the west, buses can operate a fast, efficient commuter service, with perhaps a smaller tourist service, which would be adequate for years to come based on current passenger numbers, along the road that connects Mooloolaba to Sunshine Plaza. It may not be as crazy as it sounds, particularly as this whole plan is not about need, but about encouraging people to use more public transport. It is so archaic that beachfront should be given to traffic, particularly given past urbanisation efforts did not overtake natural amenity. From Mooloolaba, over Alex Headland and along to the Seabreeze Caravan Park, we have a one-off opportunity to create something very, very special. When it is gone under bitumen, it is gone forever.

Looking down Mooloolaba Esplanade in the 1950s

By 1967, not much had changed

The view towards Mooloolaba that we enjoy today

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