Shaping Caloundra: Growing Without Losing What Makes It Special

My brother Jordan and I grew up at Kings Beach, and looking back, I don’t think we fully appreciated just how lucky we were.

The beaches, the familiar streets, the local shops and the people you’d see around town. It was all part of everyday life.

It was just home.

I spent many years away, working and travelling, experiencing different places and meeting people from all walks of life. I enjoyed those experiences, but no matter where I was, I always knew I’d eventually come back to Caloundra.

There’s something about growing up by the ocean that stays with you. And after spending so much time away, I think I appreciate it even more now.

Today, Jordan and I attended Shaping Caloundra at the Caloundra RSL, hosted by the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce.

Listening to discussions about the future of our region, I found myself thinking about how much Caloundra has changed since we were kids, and what it might look like for the next generation growing up here.

It’s a conversation that means a little more when it’s about the place you’ve always considered home.

Caloundra’s growth and the opportunities ahead

One of the things that stood out today was just how much Caloundra is expected to change.

The presentations covered population and household growth, employment, infrastructure and the changing needs of our community.

What struck me was how closely connected everything is.

As more people choose to call the southern Sunshine Coast home, we need more than additional housing. We need local jobs, healthcare, schools, transport and community facilities to keep pace.

More families also mean more customers for our cafés, restaurants, shops and small businesses, creating opportunities for local employers and encouraging investment.

It’s exciting to think about what that could mean for our region, provided we plan carefully and look after the communities we already have.

It’s not just about how many people move here

Another interesting part of today’s discussion was how our households are changing, and what that means for the homes we’ll need.

A young family looking for a backyard has different priorities from a couple downsizing after their children have moved out. Someone starting their career might want an affordable apartment close to work, while a retiree may prefer to be within walking distance of shops and the beach.

We see those differences in real estate every week.

It’s a reminder that planning for growth isn’t simply about building more homes. It’s about providing different housing options in locations that suit the people who will live there.

Our established coastal neighbourhoods have their own character, while newer communities have an important role to play.

Both are part of Caloundra’s future.

Jobs and investment matter too

One question I came away thinking about was where the next generation of local jobs will come from.

I’d love to see more people able to build their careers here without spending hours travelling to work.

That means supporting existing businesses, attracting new employers and encouraging investment that creates lasting opportunities.

For young people growing up around Caloundra, having the opportunity to find good work close to home could make all the difference to whether they can stay and raise their own families here.

It’s something I hope remains a priority as the region develops.

What Caloundra’s growth could mean for local real estate

Naturally, Jordan and I also look at these conversations from a property perspective.

People don’t move to Kings Beach, Moffat Beach, Currimundi, Aroona or the surrounding suburbs simply because they like a particular house.

They’re choosing a lifestyle.

The beaches, established neighbourhoods, local schools, cafés and the convenience of having so much nearby are all part of the appeal.

Having grown up at Kings Beach, I’ve seen how different parts of Caloundra have evolved over the years. From the established streets around Kings Beach and Moffat Beach to the family neighbourhoods of Aroona and Currimundi, each area has its own appeal.

As Caloundra grows, improvements to infrastructure, employment and local services can influence where people want to live and what they value in a home.

For existing homeowners, these changes are worth understanding.

But property markets are very local.

A beachfront apartment at Kings Beach, a family home in Aroona and a property in one of the newer southern communities can attract very different buyers.

Growth across the region doesn’t necessarily affect every suburb, street or property in the same way.

That’s why Jordan and I place so much value on understanding individual neighbourhoods, the people who live there and what buyers are looking for.

Looking forward without losing what we love

Caloundra has changed enormously since Jordan and I were growing up here, and there’s no doubt it will continue to change.

I think that’s something we can be positive about.

We have an opportunity to create more jobs, welcome new families, support local businesses and improve the services our community relies on.

I just hope that as we make those decisions, we remember why people wanted to live here in the first place.

Because the things that make Caloundra special aren’t always the things you can measure.

They’re the everyday experiences, familiar places and sense of community that make somewhere feel like home.

One of the nicest things about today was seeing just how passionate people are about Caloundra and its future.

People from different backgrounds, businesses and parts of the community came together, each bringing their own perspectives and ideas.

We might not all see things exactly the same way, but it’s encouraging to see so many people genuinely care about where we live and what we’re building for the next generation.

A genuine thank you to Michael Shadforth, the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, all the speakers, panellists and everyone who contributed to today’s Shaping Caloundra event.

It was wonderful to attend with Jordan and see that shared passion for a place we’re both proud to call home.

I was fortunate enough to grow up here, and after years away, fortunate enough to come home.

My hope is that the next generation will have that same opportunity.

Mitch Lund
Director & Sales Agent
ELITE Lifestyle Properties