Once considered a sleepy coastal outpost, Redlands has emerged as one of South East Queensland’s hottest development zones – and few have tracked that shift more closely than commercial real estate veteran Nathan Moore.
With nearly three decades in the industry and lifelong ties to the community, he has enjoyed a front-row seat to the region’s rapid evolution.
“I’ve been in the business for 28 years, right here in Redlands, and over that time I’ve seen the pace of change increase dramatically,” Mr Moore said.
Now the director of RWC Bayside, he said developers are increasingly attracted by the area’s lifestyle appeal, proximity to Brisbane, and untapped potential.
“The natural environment is stunning, from the bush to the bay, and we are only a 35-minute drive from the CBD,” he said.
“Saltwater is hard to get out of your veins. Our entire coastline fronts Moreton Bay – it’s God’s country.”
Planning Plays Catch-Up
The region’s biggest challenge, according to Mr Moore, is keeping pace with growth.
“We have a major housing shortfall, and industrial land is incredibly tight – it’s at a premium,” he said.
To address this, Redland City Council is working to rezone areas for housing and employment.
“There is a lot happening behind the scenes to unlock land for a better mix of affordable homes and employment uses,” he said.
However, rezoning alone will not be enough to future-proof the region.
“We need to create destinations, not just developments – places that bring communities together through integrated civic, commercial and lifestyle precincts,” he said.
Capalaba as Catalyst
That kind of transformation is already underway in Capalaba, where a $250 million revitalisation project is set to reshape the heart of the suburb.
A joint venture between Redland City Council and Shayher Group, the project will create a master-planned civic and commercial precinct linking the city’s two major shopping centres.
RWC Bayside has been appointed to manage leasing.
“The plan brings together retail, public space and services to transform what was once a dead zone into a true town centre,” Mr Moore said.
He said it was a blueprint for what successful redevelopment should look like.
“It’s a great example of the kind of master-planned, large-scale redevelopment that needs to happen to get the best outcomes.”
Redland Redefined
Looking ahead, Mr Moore is optimistic about the region’s direction.
“The outlook is very strong,” he said.
“We have limited supply, high demand, and good value outcomes for both investors and developers.”
With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, he said the pace of change would only accelerate.
“We are going to need new hotels, lifestyle precincts, and upgraded transport infrastructure to support that growth,” he said.
However, the biggest opportunities will be in reinvention rather than urban sprawl.
“The next decade will be shaped less by greenfield development and more by smart urban rejuvenation like Capalaba,” he said. “That is where the future lies.”
