Noosa entrepreneurs look to capitalise on the ongoing housing crisis

A thriving new industry has emerged in Noosa and surrounds spurred on the ongoing housing crisis as young entrepreneurs seek to fill accommodation gaps.

Young entrepreneurs spotting a glaring gap in the Sunshine Coast accommodation market have come up with a mobile solution.

‘Van life’ is in demand as people start to look at alternatives to traditional housing in the region, sparked largely by pandemic-driven travel restrictions and the ongoing housing crisis.

Rental company Coastal Vans in Noosa was launched in February by couple Jack Newton, 24, and Shanai Palmer, 23, who rent out a renovated 2004 Toyota Hiace van, and a renovated 2004 Fiat Ducato motorhome.

Ms Palmer said their fleet had been hugely popular since launching this year as people sought a unique van life experience, to explore their own backyard.

Ms Palmer said they already had 30 bookings lined up for this year, costing between $70 to $160 a night.

She said their service had also supported long-term renters, especially after the pandemic and amid a housing shortage in Noosa.

The couple, who started renovating vehicles aged 16, said they sunk $10,000 into doing up their van called Henny, and were now investing $13,000 in an upcoming retro caravan called Vee, giving it a vintage style.

Another young couple renovating and renting vehicles is Liam Kenny, 29, and Ali Kelly-McCudden, 29, of Noosa who founded The Bilby Collective.

The Bilby Collective in Noosa Heads rolled out in mid last year, renting out a renovated 1990 Toyota Coaster campervan called Bilby the Bus, and a renovated vintage, 1979 Millard Caravan called Bilby the Love Bug.

The Bilby Collective’s bus, Bilby The Bus. Picture: supplied.

Ms Kelly-McCudden said they were popular and had hired out their fleet 35 times since launching, partly supported by travellers exploring the country while international travel was somewhat restricted.

“Everyone was travelling in Australia,” she said.

They said interest in their fleet was also backed by customers wanting a fun, unique experience unlike staying in hotels.

The Bilby Collective’s bus, Bilby The Bus. Picture: supplied.

Mr Kenny said they spent $3000 and six months renovating their bus, using recycled pallets and an old wooden fence. They also painted the outside for only $180 after initially being quoted $20,000 for the task.

The couple planned to next add a unit and old school van to their service.

It comes as several schools in Noosa have reported significant declines in student numbers as families were forced out of the region due to the shortage of available rentals and skyrocketing property prices.

A group of single mums recently banded together to try and find a solution, weighing up whether to enter into group share house arrangements with their children in a bid to secure a home.