New survey findings show inflation and housing key concerns for residents
By Brooke Everiss
A NEW report released by Sunshine Coast Council shows livability on the Sunshine Coast has dropped exponentially, with the region now sitting below national, state and regional benchmarks.
In May 2024, Sunshine Coast Council commissioned an independent demographic and economic consultancy firm .id (informed decisions) to undertake a community views survey. ‘Living on the Sunshine Coast’ surveyed almost 2,000 residents across the Coast.
The cost of living and housing affordability peaked the list of concerns, particularly from young people and renters. While Australia scored 63.4/100, the Sunshine Coast under performed at 60.3, with limited health services and a weakened sense of community contributing to the low score. With significant population growth over the past 17 years, the report indicates that maintaining living standards, including housing and road infrastructure, has been a challenge.
Road congestion and a shortage of affordable housing continue to strain liveability perceptions. Young people and renters were most concerned with living costs, with 71 per cent of residents aged 18- 34 identifying affordable housing as a key issue contributing to overall low satisfaction across the region.
Inflation (64 per cent) and housing costs (56 per cent) were top concerns with traffic congestion remaining an issue. The importance of reliable transport rose from 24 per cent in 2021 to 31 per cent in 2024.
The Sunshine Coast community views survey also highlighted a high level of belief in climate change across the Sunshine Coast. 89 per cent of Sunshine Coast respondents believe in climate change, with the majority attributing it to human activity. Over half reported already feeling its effects in their region.
Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the survey enabled Council to understand the priorities of a wide range of residents. “It’s a vital tool to measure current quality of life and identify emerging issues,” Cr Suarez said.
Residents in rural areas like Maleny and the Glasshouse Mountains reported better experiences with road congestion compared to urban residents. Despite this, their access to critical social infrastructure—such as high-quality health services and educational opportunities—makes these areas less livable than the urban (coastal) parts of the Sunshine Coast.
Residents nominated ‘feeling safe’ and ‘access to the natural environment’ as the two attributes that contribute most towards making somewhere a good place to live. Compared to contemporary benchmarks for South East Queensland, Sunshine Coast particularly stands out for ‘feeling safe’ (6.8/10 vs. 6.6 for SEQ) and ‘access to natural environment’ (8.1/10 vs. 7.5).
For more information or to view the report, visit www./home.idcom.au/demographicresources.