The Sunshine Coast keeps growing, and most of that growth is landing in a few places. Here’s where the Coast is growing as at October 2026, the infrastructure being built to support it, and what it means if you own a rental here.
How fast the Coast is growing
The Queensland Government Statistician’s Office estimates the Sunshine Coast council area had 381,957 residents at 30 June 2025, up 7,659 (2.0%) in a year. That was the sixth largest increase of any Queensland council area. For rents and vacancy rates, see our Sunshine Coast rental market update for October 2026.
The Queensland Government’s 2025 projections put the Sunshine Coast at 516,692 people by 2046 in the medium series, up from 346,634 in 2021. The low and high series range from 461,425 to 580,646.
Where the growth is
Aura and Caloundra South. The Caloundra West to Baringa area, which takes in much of Aura, recorded the second largest population increase of any area in Queensland in 2024-25, adding 1,980 people. It is projected to grow from 15,970 residents in 2021 to 54,237 by 2046, the fifth largest increase of any area in the state. Most of this sits in the Caloundra South priority development area, planned for 20,000 dwellings and up to 50,000 residents over 30 to 40 years.
Palmview. Palmview is a declared master planned area under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, and schools are being built to match. In August 2026 the Queensland Government opened stage 2 of Palmview State Secondary College, a $47.3 million expansion giving the school capacity for 1,351 students.
Maroochydore City Centre. The new city centre is a priority development area being built by Walker Corporation under an agreement with Sunshine Coast Council. The council expects up to $2.5 billion in private investment and more than 15,000 jobs over the life of the project. It will also host a satellite athletes’ village for up to 1,400 athletes during the 2032 Games.
Beerwah East (proposed, longer term). Sunshine Coast News reported in December 2025 that more than 3,200 hectares, including Beerwah East, could potentially hold up to 20,000 homes. The regional plan is under review, most of the land is under a plantation licence, and no date has been set.
The infrastructure behind it
The Wave. On 31 May 2026 the Queensland Government announced the design and pre-construction contracts for stage 1 of The Wave: 19 km of dual track rail between Beerwah and Caloundra, with new stations at Aura (Bells Creek) and Caloundra and an upgraded Beerwah station. The Australian and Queensland governments have each committed $2.75 billion, stage 1 is expected to cost between $5.5 billion and $7 billion, and major construction is expected to start in 2027, subject to approvals. The line is planned to be operating before the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and allows for a future station at Beerwah East.
Stage 2, about 7 km from Caloundra to Birtinya with stations at Aroona and Birtinya, is in procurement, with delivery partners to be announced in late 2026. Construction depends on approvals and stage 2 funding.
The metro link and the Mooloolah River Interchange. In June 2026 the government released corridor maps for a planned metro between Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Mountain Creek, with the corridor north to Maroochydore and Sunshine Coast Airport expected to be finalised in 2027. The same statement announced a contract for major earthworks to prepare the site for the full Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade.
What this means for owners
- New supply keeps coming in the south. Aura and the surrounding estates will add new homes for years, so rentals there compete with a steady flow of new builds. Presentation and pricing against recent comparable leases matter. If you’re settling on a new build, line up property management and leasing before settlement
- Know your likely tenant. New school capacity in Palmview and new jobs in Maroochydore shape who is looking nearby. Present the property for the tenant most likely to want it
- Planned isn’t built. Rents reflect what’s available today. Treat stations and road upgrades as planned until construction is under way
- Works bring disruption. Construction around Beerwah, Aura and Caloundra may affect access and noise for some tenancies. Keeping tenants informed early helps keep them
How Barker West helps
We manage properties from Peregian to Aura, including the growth areas around Caloundra. Every rent is reviewed every 12 months against current market data, one of the 10 key commitments in the Barker West Standard.
Own a rental in a growth area? Request a free rental appraisal.
This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Figures are as at the dates shown and will change.