NEWS
Supply exceeds rental demand Permanent rentals are fast becoming more affordable due to less demand, increased competition and an oversupply of rental housing on the Island, MARIA TAN reports. ith Queensland property values falling in a sluggish buyer’s market, some Straddie property owners are recouping their losses through permanent letting. Straddie Sales and Rentals principal, Ian Robinson, told SIN that, for the first time in his experience, the supply of long-term rental properties had exceeded the demand. “It’s because people have not been able to sell,” Ian told SIN. “People have been trying to sell and they haven’t been able to so they need an income stream. “The supply of houses available for permanent rental exceeds the demand and that’s only happened this year. In previous years, it’s always been the other way around; demand has always exceeded supply and we haven’t really had to advertise. “Now rents have either stabilised or come down a little because there’s more competition between houses to get tenants in there.” Dolphin Real Estate principal Alan Richards, who has described the Straddie property market as “in the doldrums”, confirmed this. Alan told the Courier-Mail that the value of some Island homes, sold in 2009, was down by at least $50,000 since 2008. Straddie renters pay lower rents compared to others throughout the state, with most renters on the Island paying from $100 to $324 per week. “You can’t charge high rent, even though your real estate values are high,” Ian Robinson told SIN. “Your rent value is low compared to the mainland.
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“On the mainland there’s a bigger market, people can afford more, or there’s more people on higher incomes over there that can afford to pay more.” Although almost the entire Island population is employed, with over half of locals working full time and 44 per cent in part time jobs, the majority of residents still rely on tourism as their main means of employment. The latest North Stradbroke Island profile released by Redland City Council reveals that more Island residents work in accommodation and food services than any other industry, followed closely by mining and retail. “Those that want to or need to rent a house can’t afford to buy one and they’re on low incomes,” Ian told SIN. “They’re employed in the hospitality or retail industry or they’re on welfare payments or a mixture of both, whether it be part-time, casual or full-time work. Whatever it is, they’re comparatively low incomes and therefore affordability is an issue; they can’t afford to pay high rent. “During the quieter months there’s a decline in employment opportunities and therefore less people either coming to the Island looking for work, or they’ve been on the Island and want to work but can’t get it, so they have to leave,” he added. The Straddie Sales and Rentals principal told SIN that, while the majority of property sales have been for holiday rentals, he recommends that owners take into consideration the property’s location before deciding to make it available for permanent lease.
“If it’s water views the revenue stream from a holiday rental could be slightly higher than what they could get as a permanent rental, or around about the same,” he advised. “If it doesn’t have water views or water frontage, then generally speaking, you would achieve a higher income from it being permanently let.” Manta Lodge and Scuba diving instructor, Paul Sutton, advises anyone considering renting on Straddie to “plan well ahead”. “If you really want to move here, be prepared to say, ‘Right, let me know when something comes up and we’ll move then’. Don’t plan a date, because you might get here and be stuck and not have anything,” he advised. “If you’re moving onto the Island to a nonfurnished place, and bringing your own furniture, that would be an absolute nightmare, just because of the cost of getting the truck over here with all your stuff in it.” Paul moved to Straddie from the UK two years ago and began renting on the Island six months after he arrived. He recommends that renters consider investing in two cars to save on barge fares, leaving one on the mainland, and to research the commute times if working on the mainland. “If you leave a car over the other side and travel from this side, then you’re only 20 minutes on the passenger ferry, which is a lot easier and a lot cheaper, because when you’re paying $100 something to go back and forth on the car ferry it’s a little bit too expensive,” he told SIN. “It depends on where you’re working over town. If you’re near to easy transport then the passenger ferry and the bus all meet really well.”
FLAVOURS OF BRAZIL ogério Gaglianone began working as a chef at Fishes cafe, Point Lookout, about 18 months ago and has brought an international flavour to the team. It was on a trip to Byron Bay that Rogério met friends who were regular visitors to Straddie and brought him here to check out the waves. Loving what he saw he came back for New Years Eve and got work at the pub, before continuing his travels. He
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went to Europe and spent several years in Norway. From there Rogério headed home to Brazil where he spent two years studying gastronomy – the culinary arts. But Straddie called again and he and his brother came back for a week and ended up staying. Brazilian food is an exuberant, colourful mix of native foods from the Amazon and Portuguese cuisine. Rogério’s influence can be savoured in
the Fishes evening specials menu – with delicious combinations of fresh local produce and traditional ingredients. Scandinavian dishes find their way onto the specials board too, along with the traditional Aussie steak and seafood menu. Fishes is at 15 Mooloomba Road, opposite the Gorge Walk, Point Lookout. www.fishesatthepoint.com.au. Bookings 07 3415 3444.
SUMMER 2012–13
PEOPLE
Extreme sea change Discover Stradbroke real estate agency principal Colin Battersby swapped snow for sand when he moved to Straddie, Maria Tan reports.
PHOTO: MARIA TAN
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olin told SIN it took two years to make the final transition to Straddie but, after living in Thredbo and the Snowy Mountains for more than 15 years, the sea change between the two extreme climates was worth the wait. “The older you get in a ski resort, and the sorer your knees get, the more you look forward to the warmth,” Colin joked. Shortly after moving to Point Lookout in 2009 Colin established his property management and real estate business, which has since won two tourism awards. Now Discover Stradbroke hopes to build on its successes online, by uploading videos of holiday rentals and properties for sale on the Island. “It’s very important to give people really good ways online to find out what the property’s all about,” Colin told SIN. “We’re trying to make sure that people know about the properties so that there’s no surprises when they get here; and also in those videos we have the opportunity to show the Gorge Walk, the beaches, the restaurants and cafes – to build a picture in people’s minds about what Straddie is.” Colin sees many similarities to what he does now, in real estate, to what he used to do at Thredbo Alpine Village, where he ran mountain biking championships, tours and events. “It’s still tourism, I guess it’s just the other side of the fence,” Colin said. “There are similarities between Thredbo and Straddie as well. In our low season we are also running events to bring people here and give them a taste of what Straddie’s all about.” “It’s great seeing people look at our properties online and to talk to us about
how great they look and then, when they actually get here and see the beauty of Straddie as first time visitors, they’re hooked forever. That’s the best part about it, when they get blown away.” Before making his sea change Colin used to visit the Island three or four times a year.
“My family has had a beach house here since the late 70s and I guess it was the goal of my brother, who’s head chef at Fishes, and me, to start up a business on Straddie. “My father came here and basically lived here til he died last year. We also wanted to be a bit closer to him,” Colin explained.
SURF CLUB BAR
Open Saturday & Sunday from 3pm* Awesome ocean views Cold beverages, friendly staff Courtesy bus
FOR ALL Venue hire/Weddings/Functions/School camps Contact Stradbroke Island Holidays 07 3821 0266 *Times may vary
SUMMER 2012–13
STRADDIE ISLAND NEWS 9