Sunshine Coast’s Norm Martin Real Estate founder dies, aged 85

A real estate agent who helped shape some of the most well-known developments on the Sunshine Coast lived an incredibly interesting life including helping to build roads, an airstrip and a big yacht.

Sunshine Coast real estate agent Norm Martin helped shape some of the most well-known developments in Cotton Tree and Maroochydore including the Rovera Plaza.

Tributes are flowing for a Sunshine Coast real estate agent who helped shape Cotton Tree and Maroochydore.

Sunshine Coast real estate icon Norm Martin died last week, aged 85.

A stalwart of the industry on the coast, Mr Martin was the founder of his self-named agency, Norm Martin Real Estate, that has operated in the region for more than 30 years.

He had a special affinity for Maroochydore and especially Cotton Tree and was known locally for his developments and extensive knowledge of the area.

His daughter Lisa Martin, who followed him into the family real estate business, said that her father was well-respected.

Sunshine Coast real estate stalwart Norm Martin has died, aged 85.

“He was a very kind man, a family man, very generous with his time,” Ms Martin said.

“He lived an incredibly interesting life.”

Born in Lismore in 1937, Mr Martin grew up in a family of five children in Keerrong, New South Wales, before moving south to Wollongong as a teenager, where he started a removalist business and played for the local football team.

It was in the New South Wales city where he would meet his wife Janice, who he would go on to have two daughters with, Kerrie and Lisa.

After marrying in 1961, the couple spent many years in Papua New Guinea, building infrastructure for the community.

“He helped build roads, an airstrip, a tourist lodge and tennis courts and started the local club,” Ms Martin said.

Norm Martin was born in Lismore. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

“He did amazing things in New Guinea.

“He built a 48-foot yacht in our backyard and weekends were spent out on the water.”

The couple moved back to Australia, first to Sydney, before heading to Queensland in the early 1980s and settling in Maroochydore.

“They bought a hotel in Sydney, but not long afterwards they decided they wanted to get out of the hustle and bustle,” Ms Martin said.

“They packed up their belongings, drove all through Queensland and decided that Cotton Tree was one of the most beautiful places they had ever seen.

The couple decided to settle in Cotton Tree, on the Sunshine Coast.

“They thought the Sunshine Coast was absolutely magical, with the beautiful beaches and rivers, so they decided that they would settle here.”

Mr Martin opened a corner store in the area, before establishing his real estate business.

“He went on to become very well recognised and respected in the industry,” Ms Martin said.

Real estate agent Norm Martin, pictured in 2007, enjoys the alfresco dining at Cotton Tree that he said had flourished with the numerous residential developments in the area. Picture: Michaela Glen

“He could tell you who built just about every building on the Sunshine Coast, he knew all the areas being developed in his time.

“His knowledge was incredible.

“He put together the development sites for Rovera, Space the Residence, The Dunes Cotton Tree, the Cosmopolitan Cotton Tree and now the last site he put together many years ago which has just started construction is Serenity on Second Cotton Tree.

Norm and Lisa Martin discuss the plans of The Dunes Cotton Tree in 2003. Picture: Barry Leddicoat.

“He worked with a lot of developers, particularly Robert Milicevic and together they changed the face of Cotton Tree with beautiful developments.

His legacy is carried on by his daughter Lisa and granddaughter Courtney, as second and third generations in the business.

The Cosmopolitan at Cotton Tree when it was under construction.

“You can see his work everywhere you look throughout Cotton Tree,” Ms Martin said.

“Dad was an incredibly intelligent man with a vision and knew that Cotton Tree was special.

“He would do anything that he could to help, he assisted with storage for the Maroochydore Surf Club, which he received recognition for.

“He would also be happy to sit down, have a coffee, and a yarn with anybody.”

After retiring, Mr Martin spent his time boating, before living on land at Chevallum, where he had horses, returning to Cotton Tree in his later years.

Mr Martin’s ’s funeral service will be held on Friday, September 1 at 10am at Buderim Crematorium and Memorial Gardens.

He is remembered by daughters Lisa and Kerrie, as well as grandchildren Courtney, Justin, and Theresa.