Young business owners are increasingly choosing Tasmania’s central coast over mainland capitals, citing lifestyle, affordability and community connection as key drivers behind the move.
Among them is Hannah Lewis, who relocated from Melbourne to Penguin in 2020 to take over The Penguin Pantry in the seaside town.
Lewis said the decision was about more than just business.
“It’s pretty special,” she said. “We’re right on the beach here, and there’s not many places where you get to walk out your front door and be on the beach.”
“We get this amazing lifestyle. It’s magic.”
The shift reflects a broader trend of younger entrepreneurs reassessing priorities following the pandemic, with regional areas offering lower overheads and closer-knit communities compared to major cities.
Josh Roberts, founder of Buttons Brewing on the north-west coast, said his reasons for setting up locally have evolved since launching.
“Initially I started Buttons Brewing here because I was the only craft brewery on the North West Coast and that was an advantage,” Roberts said.
He said while the business opportunity was clear at the time, operating in a regional area has also reinforced the value of local support and community engagement.
“Now, the advantage is the lifestyle and having a great place to bring up a family,” he said.
In the trades, Sam Kiely has taken over family business Kiely Plumbing while raising three children under four.
“We’re raising three kids under four in a safe, connected community with some of the cleanest air in the world,” Kiely said.
The strong community bonds also influence how businesses operate day-to-day.
“There’s a reliability and loyalty here that makes doing business meaningful,” he said. “People look out for each other.”
Central Coast Council mayor Cheryl Fuller said the trend reflects a change in priorities she had noticed.
“Young business owners don’t want to choose between opportunity and lifestyle,” Fuller said. “On the central coast, they don’t have to.”
A new council initiative, Make it Central, launched this week to showcase the region’s business opportunities, highlighting business owners.
Council Director Strategic Growth Daryl Connelly said the website aims to attract investment by highlighting local success stories.
“The Make it Central website showcases why Tasmania’s central coast is a smart place to work, invest and grow,” Connelly said.
