Trucker turned would-be developer revs up to invest in Sunshine Coast housing
BY KAT DONAGHEY / 8 MARCH 2021
A truck driver turned would-be developer is hoping to be part of the housing solution on the Sunshine Coast.
Josie Marz has worked in the mines driving trucks and heavy machinery but has turned her sights to investing in housing developments.
Such is her interest in “providing housing where it’s needed” she rode her bike all the way from her home in Darwin to seek investment opportunities on the Coast.
Ms Marz said she wanted to see the Coast’s property boom for herself and connect with other like-minded ladies in WOW Property Women, a network of female property developers.
Carrying a backpack and camping gear, Ms Marz rode 3500km over six days and camped in little towns along the way.
While on the Coast she has been meeting up with members of the group she had previously only known online to scope out investment opportunities.
Ms Marz is already an investor in Lowanna Beach Resort in Buddina, spearheaded by WOW founder Lorna Willis.
“As a property investor I’m always looking for opportunities that provide housing where it’s needed so there is solid demand and low vacancy so that the investment can bring positive returns,” she said.
“On the Sunshine Coast the rental situation has become so dire that the region needs more investors to provide a lot more housing to keep up with the demand, and I’m pretty keen to help be a part of the solution.”
Ms Marz said she was particularly interested in infill development which involves building on existing land in the urban footprint, such as knocking down old houses to erect apartment complexes.
Infill sites generally provide housing opportunities close to amenities and don’t require waiting for new land lots to be released.
“To meet the current demand, I’m looking at infill development opportunities and there’s a few that have caught my eye,” she said.
“One of them is a new beach resort going in at Buddina near the shops and the beach, that will take nine old houses and transform the space into 112 luxury apartments, providing so much more opportunity for people to find somewhere to live and enjoy all the amazing things the Coast is known for.”
Ms Marz is also interested in sustainable housing practices such as using water tanks and grey water.
“I’m interested in supplying the right type of housing in the best possible way.”
