Buddina

Located west of Minyama and north of Warana, Buddina’s eastern boundary slides down from Point Cartwright, heads west along Koorin Crescent and then curves around Nicklin Way. The suburb’s western boundaries are the canal-side streets including Beltana Crescent, Adelong Crescent and Kooringal Crescent. From the north-facing streets of Adaluma Avenue and Harbour Parade, residents look over the Mooloolah River towards Mooloolaba. The well-loved Point Cartwright Lighthouse and adjoining reserve form the northern tip of Buddina.

People

According the 2016 Bureau of Statistics, 3,885 people call Buddina home.  Here is a quick overview of population demographics for this suburb:

6.6%      Independent Youth

16.1%    Established Couples & Families

6.2%      Elderly Couples

3.7%      Young Families

History

Formerly known as Buddina Beach, Buddina was part of the Kawana Waters coastal residential project, which Alfred Grant Pty Ltd, the State Government and the Landsborough Shire Council launched in 1960s. The development took in Point Cartwright at the mouth of the Mooloolah River to Wurtulla. The first blocks of land Alfred Grant offered for sale were less than 500 pounds. A 1961 development lease over the coastal land from Buddina to Currimundi allowed developers to re-contour the land and dunes. In the early 1970s, though, cyclonic weather caused waves to crash over the dunes and into the streets on the other side. Several years later conditions stabilised and land by Mooloolah River was developed – most of these streets are part of modern-day Minyama.

Median property price trends

Year                   Unit                    House

2007                 $372,500            $582,500

2008                 $467,500           $675,000

2009                 $385,000           $626,500

2010                 $360,000           $587,500

2011                  $472,500           $493,750

2012                 $343,640           $545,000

2013                 $329,500           $560,000

2014                 $438,500           $542,500

2015                 $409,000           $631,000

2016                 $418,000           $710,000

2017                 $505,000           $779,000

Real Estate

Buddina was once filled with the humble three-bed, one-bath brick and tiles that were the staple in this part of the Coast, but for decades these have been renovated to make way for double-storey homes that almost burst out of their tight suburban blocks. There is always plenty of renovating going on in Buddina. There are several smaller unit blocks and townhouse developments, but the suburb is dominated by detached houses, from the most basic originals to those multi-level mansions found at the end of Pacific Boulevard.

Attractions and development

Buddina’s primary school and Kawana Shoppingworld opened in 1979. The original shopping centre was much smaller than the one on offer now. A 2014 redevelopment expanded and upgraded the centre, but there is more to come. The owner, Mirvac, is planning to add new car parking, more shops and a cinema. Construction is due to start in late 2017. On the other side of the street, locals have been waiting for years for the much-anticipated development of the very tired Cartwright Centre, on the corner of Point Cartwright Drive and Nicklin Way. The council has approved the development, and the new shopping village – when it finally opens to the public – will be known as the Point. Buddina is also home to the Kawana Surf Club, the Kawana Waters Hotel, a council library and community centre, a couple of holiday resorts and several suburban parks – including the very popular riverside La Balsa Park.