Why the demand for Gympie region property is at an all-time high right now

“We’re already seeing some big growth in popularity in this area. I’ve been in real estate for 14 years and I’ve never seen inquiry on property like we’ve been getting.”

Gympie region property demands will only get more intense with the completion of the Bruce Highway bypass in 2024, local real estate experts forecast.

Some of Gympie’s leading property experts say the already in-demand local market will only get busier in the coming years as Section D of the Bruce Highway bypass project nears and progresses from completion.

The 26km, four-lane highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange south of Gympie and Curra is well underway, split into two contracts.

Gympie real estate expert Lex Townsend.

The first contract was awarded to an Australian owned, Queensland based joint venture between Bielby Holdings and BMD (BBJV) last year, and Contract 2 to CPB Contractors in March.

Rural Sales Consultant with Professionals, Lex Townsend said Curra and Glenwood would be two beneficiaries of the upgrade, which is on track for completion by mid-2024.

“I think once they put that bypass through it will boost that land, particularly in the Curra and Glenwood area, significantly,” Mr Townsend said.

“Any other area that accesses off that highway will benefit greatly.

“It will be different in different areas, taking that traffic off the current highway will have an effect on those residential properties.

“Having a road that goes straight down to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane without going through multiple traffic lights on the current Bruce Highway through Gympie will be a major benefit for those properties.

“The safety of the new road and everything else comes in to play as well.”

Mr Townsend said the forecasted increase in demand was already being seen among local agents, and property inquiries in areas affected by the bypass were at an all-time high.

“We’re already seeing some big growth in popularity in this area. I’ve been in real estate for 14 years and I’ve never seen inquiry on property like we’ve been getting,” he said.

Gympie Bypass from Penny Road

“Obviously the area is on the radar for a lot of people, we’ve sold to people from all over Australia. This area is becoming highly sought after because of its access to the Coast and Brisbane, as well as climate and lifestyle. It’s got a lot of pluses.”

Gympie real estate icon Tom Grady stopped short of forecasting a “boom” for the region, but agreed property demand would continue to see a “steady growth”.

Mr Grady pointed to the region’s comparative affordability, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, as factors at play in the increased inquiries.

Jason, Lyn and Tom Grady.

“I think there’s going to be good, steady growth, I don’t think there’s going to be a boom, I think people get a bit carried away,” Mr Grady said.

“The bypass is certainly going to help, but I think with the COVID situation people in the big cities have made up their mind that they’re going to move here anyway.

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“Proximity is 100 per cent a big factor. But price wise, Gympie still has an advantage. You go 50 kilometres south and the price is probably 30 per cent dearer.

“So why wouldn’t people travel that little bit extra distance and pay 30 per cent less for the same quality house?”