Local businesses swarm on new development

A developer says a rush of local and national businesses snapping up their Coast sites shows a “huge confidence” in the region.

Focal Group director Stephen O'Connor said the boom in businesses interested in either staying or moving to the Coast showed a “huge confidence” in the region

A Coast development company has sold out their most recent commercial project entirely to Sunshine Coast businesses well before completion of construction.

Focal Group director Stephen O’Connor said a boom in local businesses interested in operating out of the Coast was promising for the region.

One of Focal Group’s recently completed developments in Coolum was in high demand among local and national businesses.

Mr O’Connor said the construction company’s latest commercial development at Coolum was in high demand with local buyers, selling out months before its scheduled completion.

He said Coast businesses had swarmed on the development at 40 Junction Dr.

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Construction is due to be completed in April with businesses including Colton Joinery, Basalt Constructions and Benchmark Solid Plastering waiting to move in.

“In fact the last three developments, before completion, have all sold out,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Over 20 (lots) pre-sold which is a great result.”

An entire site has sold to local buyers at Junction Dr, months before construction is due to be completed in April.

The other two developments which sold out were nearby at 42 and 44 Junction Dr.

They are home to businesses including Huski Furniture, Crashpad and Sheedy Plumbing.

“They’re predominantly all Sunshine Coast businesses, with some larger scale national businesses in 44,” Mr O’Connor said.

“This shows a huge confidence in our region.

“It shows that both local and larger national companies want to base themselves out of the Coast.

“They want to move here or stay here.”

Starting out his career as a carpenter and then a builder, Mr O’Connor said he became interested in developing a few years ago and founded Focal Group.

He said the company was “born and bred” Sunshine Coast with a passion for supporting local and attracting businesses to the region.

Sheedy Plumbing were one of the local businesses to snap up one of the in demand Junction Dr sites.

“We focus on development and construction in Coolum and the greater Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“Over the last few years we’ve developed a number of sites, always trying to use local trade and suppliers.”

Since launching in 2018, he said Focal Group had delivered hundreds of jobs to the region.

“We employ a lot of different companies based on the Coast,” Mr O’Connor said.

“(There’s) probably 100 plus people getting work out of these projects.

“And our buildings usually support other trades, plumbers, builders, cabinet makers.

“They’re good little trade hubs.”

Late last year Focal Group finished construction on the Lionel Donovan Business Park in Noosa and has recently begun working on a 3000sq m office and warehouse space in Yandina. 

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