Aerial images reveal 10-year difference in Sunshine Coast suburbs

Aerial images comparing Sunshine Coast suburbs and key locations from 10 years ago with today have revealed the dramatic transformation in the region as the population booms.

DRONE: Aerial photos of the new housing development at Aura, Sunshine Coast.

Aerial images have revealed just how much the Sunshine Coast region has changed in the past decade, proving the coastal and hinterland suburbs are a popular choice for permanent migration, not just holiday-makers.

The Sunshine Coast Council data reveals the population in the region grew by more than 79,000 people between 2011 and 2021.

The council forecasts the population will reach 500,000 people by 2041, and states the region needs 217,230 dwellings in total to meet the demand.

The council data also states 80 per cent of the population increase was from migration.

Sunshine Coast councillor Jason O’Pray said the region was experiencing unprecedented large growth and called on the state and federal governments to focus on better transport infrastructure moving forward.

“The whole growth of the Sunshine Coast is mostly in the south, but over the last 10 years from Caloundra all the way through to Maroochydore and onto areas in the north, like Bli Bli and Coolum we have seen big changes too,” Mr O’Pray said.

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“Population growth is helping the economy, it is basic supply and demand, and we expect it will continue to grow as the Olympics and Paralympics start to pick up, but the infrastructure has got to keep up which unfortunately it isn’t doing at the moment through road and rail.”

Aerial images below show the difference between 2012 and 2022 in Sunshine Coast suburbs and key locations.

Aerial imagery by Nearmap.