IF YOU judge a suburb by the quality of the businesses it attracts, then North Lakes has to be one of the most successful Queensland developments in recent years.
After originally being a locale of Mango Hill, North Lakes, following extensive housing and commercial development, has emerged in its own right since it was given suburb status in 2006.
Its appeal has been magnetic for both commercial entities and residents with more than 21,000 people now calling North Lakes home, according to the latest ABS Census.
It’s a 40 percent population spike on the 2011 ABS data when the Moreton Bay Regional Council suburb contained 15,000 residents.
The place is bursting at the seams, says local RE/MAX real estate agent Mark White.
“There are a couple of little pockets they are finishing off but the North Lakes footprint is almost finished from a residential perspective,” Mr. White said. “It’s almost full.”
For those who have set-up home in North Lakes, some 26km north of the CBD, there’s little need to venture beyond the suburb’s boundaries for entertainment and shopping.
There’s an enormous Westfield Shopping complex just off the Bruce Highway which opened in 2003 and has more than 4900 car park and 80 specialty shops.
The complex is complemented by warehouse merchandiser Costco and Swedish furniture giant IKEA – only the second built in Queensland – within close proximity.
“The only Costco in Queensland is in North Lakes and the second IKEA is in North Lakes which show how much of a success this development has been,” he said.
“For a long time and still may be, it was the fastest growing area in Australia.
“For the size, a number of people and the desirability of it, it’s a real lifestyle destination.”
Costco North Lakes.The suburb’s appeal is about further enhanced by a $250 million commercial and lifestyle precinct to be developed by the team behind Fortitude Valley’s James Street and Southport’s Brickwork developments.
Laguna North Lakes will sit opposite Westfield and contain a 140-room hotel, trendy dining laneways, a tavern and office tower.
The recent announcement comes a year after the opening of Redcliffe Peninsula railway line.
“There is a series of railway stations in a short distance of each other and it’s about 70 minutes to the city,” Mr. White said.
“The residents have been quite excited that the railway line, IKEA and the movie theatre (at Westfield) all opened in the past 12 months.”
New housing at North Lakes. Picture: Glenn Hunt/Getty ImagesNorth Lakes contains 7649 dwellings and its population is very much a mix of Commonwealth countries.
According to the ABS, the most spoken language outside of English is Afrikaans while New Zealand born residents make-up 8.3 percent of the local population followed by Brits (7.1 percent).
Yet, according to Daniel Pennisi, a third-generation greengrocer who co-owns The Fruit and Deli Co. at Westfield, there’s another migrant group that’s not transparent in the ABS data.
“There is a strong South African influence but we are seeing a strong South American influence, not necessarily in North Lakes but from surrounding areas as well who we cater for,” he said.
The Fruit and Deli Co co-owner Daniel Pennisi“We have a large South American range including Arepa, which is like a corn tortilla and it’s part of their diet … we have five types of that.”
The Fruit and Deli Co. will celebrate its second birthday at North Lakes in November and Mr. Pennisi said the opening of the railway station was the missing link for the suburb.
“We found a lot of our customers work in the city but live here and the opening of the railway line was a big, big boost for them,” he said.
While the shopping center certainly has put the suburb on the map, the area has a lot more to offer.
It’s within close proximity of the Redcliffe Peninsula and within an hour’s drive to the Sunshine Coast and 40 minutes to Brisbane.
Lake Eden at North Lakes. Picture: Bradley CooperIt has a strong businesses hub, a council library, leisure center and pool within the vicinity of the shopping center and the suburb’s centerpiece is Lake Eden which has a 10,000 step walking track, cafe, barbecue and playground area.
Positioned within a stone’s skimming throw of the lake are North Lakes State College and The Lakes College.
The Lakes College. Picture: Chris HigginsOpposite the State College is Told You So cafe which has been operating for 18 months.
Owner Anna Lumsden said the many of her customers were families and students and she chose the location based on the size of the ever-growing population.
“There are definitely lots of young families and uni students but it’s a lot more affordable for people to live out here too,” she said.
The Told You So Cafe“We chose here because of lots of people living in a small area and there some major drawcards in the area where people pass through.”
The suburb’s popularity has also meant a steady rise in the median house price.
Mr White said a turn-key house could have been purchased for under $200,000 in 2006 but it has more than doubled since then with the median for a four-bedroom house tracking at about $520,000.
“The results speak for itself. There is about a 65 percent owner occupier … it’s a real lifestyle destination.”
Originally Published: www.couriermail.com.au