This level of growth obviously puts a strain on Local and State Governments to provide land, facilities and services. Noosa Council has already decided to take steps to limit its future growth. To date, the Caloundra and Maroochy Councils have not gone down this path.
The Sunshine Coast comprises about 60 kms of beautiful beaches from Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north.

This strip of beaches is probably the best in Queensland, although other areas would probably dispute this observation.

The hinterland is interesting and colourful with the spectacular Glass House Mountains, the charming villages of Maleny and Montville and lots of green, rolling countryside.

The Sunshine Coast is connected to Brisbane by the four-lane Bruce Highway and it is about one hour’s drive from Brisbane to Caloundra.
Noosa is about one and three quarter hours from Brisbane.

The Sunshine Motorway runs the length of the coast and makes north - south travel fast and easy.

HOUSING: Brett Middleby from Dwyer Quality Homes told Sea Change that the panic buying of recent years had now disappeared from the local residential market. Currently the market was operating in a sustainable fashion that was active, buoyant and positive. This view was reinforced by Steve Brodie from local builders, P.J. Burns, who said that after a short slowdown, the housing market was starting to climb again and was showing considerable strength.
Although the price gap between Noosa and the rest of the Coast is narrowing, there is still a range of land and housing prices depending on quality and position. Here are some broad guidelines as at February 2005.

• Kawana Waters, one of the Sunshine Coast’s major developers is offering residential blocks ranging from 300 square metres to 800 square metres in its three current estates.
Bellvista $139,000 to $196,000
Kawana Forest $168,000 to $322,000.
Kawana Island $210,000 to $1,000,000.
House and land packages are a popular way to buy a new home. As a general guide, an average, new four-bedroom, double garage house on a 600 square metre block in a new subdivision would cost between $380,000 and $450,000.

Obviously smaller villas on 300 to 400 square metre blocks are cheaper and Kawana Waters are currently selling freehold retirement villas for between $286,000 and $319,000.

There are currently more than 24 individual new apartment buildings being marketed and prices range from the mid $200,000s to more than $1,000,000. The good news is that there are plenty to choose from. MEDICAL: Three public hospitals and eight private hospitals/clinics serving the Sunshine Coast. As well there are Community Health Centres in Nambour, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Noosa Heads. A comprehensive range of medical specialists is available on the Coast.

EDUCATION: Two branches of the University of the Third Age have been established on the Sunshine Coast. The University of the Sunshine Coast and the TAFE are in the area as well.

MAJOR ISSUES: The strains that high tourist numbers and a rapidly-growing permanent population put on to the local services and infrastructure is causing community concerns. There is a widespread desire for a better public transport system for the region.