RESIDING in the northern corridor of the Gold Coast, Labrador is fast becoming a paradise for residents seeking an affordable and central suburb that is still within arms’ reach of the beach. Younger families are coming in, attracted to the Broadwater views along with one of the best parks on the Gold Coast — Harley park.
While the suburb is transforming from of its old look, it is not leaving its treasures behind.
The Grand Hotel has remained in the same spot since the early 1900s and it is visited by those from surrounding suburbs.
LJ Hooker Broadwater principal Danny Malone says there has been a lot of support for changes to town planning in Labrador, with residents enjoying new development.
“The council wants to see Labrador develop and fit into the rest of the style of the Gold Coast but there’s a balance in trying not to create an oversupply of dwellings, we’re looking at a good mix,” Danny says.
“Ten years ago Labrador was seeing half the activity it’s seeing today, with increased growth in the northern corridor. Most of what we sell now is 60 per cent units. We’re also finding that we’re selling to high-end users and young owner-occupiers.”
Danny reckons while it’s hard to get a house under $450,000, the influx of units offers more affordability, with prices starting at $250,000.
“Labrador is one of those well laid-out suburbs where there are different house prices that run straight through the guts of the suburb. In the corner of Labrador there are lots of affordable duplexes which have been snapped up by buyers. The bigger apartments are generally on the waterfront and they certainly complement the area.”
The Grand Hotel is a popular watering hole. Picture: Mike BatterhamSource:News Limited
Sapphire At The Broadwater and Coast Broadwater are two of the newest developments taking off. The $100 million Coast Broadwater development’s first stage has already sold out. Stage one includes 124 residential apartments.
Labrador is also on the world stage once a year, with the annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon running through part of the suburb.
Held on the first weekend of July and attracting more than 27,000 participants, the race winds through Labrador.
The suburb’s sporting clubs include the Labrador Tigers AFL Club.
Residents have easy access to the Broadwater. Picture Mike BatterhamSource:News Limited
General manager Connie Sawker says it is growing in popularity, with a great increase in membership recently.
“We’re getting calls from the community who want to get involved — especially the little juniors who have taken interest in playing after watching the bigger boys do really well,” Connie says.
“On a Saturday we have a lot of community members from Labrador coming to the club’s oval … and cheering the boys on.”
Connie says Labrador is a suburb with residents both young and old.
“The club has a great relationship with both sides of the community but we are seeing an increase in young members.”
While the club is in an older area of Labrador, Connie reckons the beauty about its location is it’s not directly on the street.
She says local Labrador band Rockwell plays at the club as well as country singer Lee Conway, who calls the suburb home.
[Source:- News.au]
