Rockingham no sleepy hollow

While it might surprise those from swankier northern suburbs to hear Rockingham property has made the best capital gains for coastal areas in a recent survey, it won’t surprise local residents.

Picture by Gabrielle Jeffery: Part-owner of a luxury Rockingham Beach Road apartment, Kingsley Klau of Warnbro

Real Estate Institute of WA Rockingham branch chairman Ron Clues said he easily understood why it had notched annual average growth of 12.7 per cent over the past 10 years.

‘‘Rockingham offers all the things that attracts residents who want to enjoy an excellent quality of life at the sea,’’ he said.

Mr Clues said these included lifestyle, affordability, the beach, the islands, sporting facilities and the cafe strip.

The REIWA research on 20 suburbs from Rockingham in the south to Quinns Rocks in the north showed both of the suburbs achieved strong growth rates above 12 per cent, while the more expensive areas such as Iluka and Watermans Bay came in secondlast and last respectively, with growth rates under 10 per cent.

Mr Clues said if the research had included residential areas as far south as Secret Harbour and those in between, it would have shown strong growth there as well.

‘‘All the suburbs in the Rockingham district, including Kwinana, have shown strong growth over the past 10 years and only add to the diversity of dwelling sizes and quality available to buyers, all within a couple of kilometres of the beaches,’’ he said.

‘‘Buyers can choose from more than 500 listings, with onebedroom units at $180,000 right through t o million-dollar mansions.’’

While the Rockingham area used to be known as a sleepy holiday destination, it had become a vibrant locality, Mr Clues said.

‘‘This is a result of the constant pressure of population growth and residents’ desire to hug the coastal strip,’’ he said.

‘‘Recent major infrastructure improvements and multi-milliondollar developments like the Mangles Bay marina, Kwinana town centre, Rockingham city centre, the Waikiki Hotel site and the explosion of the Baldivis town centre all reinforce Rockingham and surrounding suburbs’ potential for further growth over the next 10 years.’’