Beach on Sixth
While Lynne Delany watched Beach on Sixth apartments being built at Cotton Tree, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she didn’t imagine that a few months after they were completed in February 2010 that she would take over the management rights that November.
“I wish I had discovered the Sunshine Coast much earlier. Cotton Tree is an untapped paradise with limitless opportunities for tourists,” said Ms Delany.
While recently taking time out at Port Douglas away from the hectic Sydney city life with her 11 year old son, Cody, Ms Delany contemplated her next business move.
“I was looking for a business to buy but not sure which one,” said Ms Delany. “I came to Cotton Tree looking for an apartment to rent near the beach with a view to buying one. When I walked into Beach on Sixth and discovered Ian White and his wife Fran were there caretaking the business and were also the brokers, I knew it was fate!”
“I had known Ian since 1987: when I lived in Sydney, he lived around the corner and was like family to us. I made an offer as Ian knew I had the business acumen, ethics and tenacity to make it successful.”
“Ian told me there was already an offer on the business and I thought I had missed out. I was devastated. Luckily for me, the other offer fell through and here we are.”
“I had not met Fran before but she has been amazing and so helpful in training me in the industry.”
Of the 33 apartments on 13 levels, 14 are in the letting pool — including a stunning penthouse — eight apartments are yet to be sold; three are permanent rentals; three owner occupied and five exclusively for owner’s use.
Beach on Sixth apartments give guests an enviable view of the Pacific Ocean from the tranquillity of their private spa or luxurious apartment.
“We are the newest building on the block. All of the apartments, besides the penthouse, are furnished the same. We have had guests comment ‘finally we have booked accommodation that looks like it does on the website’,” said Ms Delany.
The owners in the holiday letting pool collectively agreed on a well-chosen furnishing package, which saves a lot of headache and is easy to replace when necessary. Guests and owners are impressed with the onsite security, with guest comments such as ‘we absolutely love it—the security is first rate’.
The apartments can’t be accessed without a security tag that allows access to the building after hours, access to the foyer, lift access to the second floor pool/gym and the owner’s or guest’s apartments. It prevents anyone wandering from floor to floor.
Always ready for a challenge and no stranger to hard work, when Ms Delany moved into the apartments she spent days familiarising herself with the complex and went around cleaning everything — all the fire exits, hosed out the car park and scrubbed out the bin room.
Cody pitches in to help his Mum and thoroughly enjoys living at Beach on Sixth. Kristen relieves Ms Delany on Saturdays and a former co-worker Iain, relieves when needed, allowing family time with Cody.
“Here Cody has grass to play on whereas in Sydney the playground was asphalt,” Ms Delany said.
“Cody is doing well and is thriving in this environment.”
“A long time friend, Margaret, affectionately known as Nan, will be living here and will be my back-up,” said Ms Delany. “It’s easier when there are two of us.”
Beach on Sixth is centrally located allowing an easy half hour drive either north to Noosa, south to Caloundra or west to the stunning Sunshine Coast hinterland and is only an hour and a half drive north of Brisbane and 15 minutes to the Sunshine Coast Airport.
There are numerous accessible tourism attractions and local facilities to enjoy, such as Cotton Tree restaurants and boutiques, Maroochydore Surf Club, Maroochydore RSL, the Cotton Tree Olympic sized pool, markets, Underwater World, Sunshine Plaza and only a 50m stroll to the pristine beach.
Ms Delany has had extensive experience in the very competitive liquor industry and was general manager for 13 years with Liquor Stax Australia. Previously, Ms Delany worked for Liquor Distributors and progressed as general manager of the liquor group Cheers and from there to Hot Liquor.
“It was hard work but I was raised on a sheep property at Bourke, New South Wales, where work was part of our lifestyle,” said Ms Delany. “I’ve worked since I was 12 years old. I waitressed seven nights a week since I was 14 to get money to pay for horse riding equipment and other things we wanted.
“I loved my childhood and I wouldn’t change it for the world. When you grow up in the country I believe you have a strong work ethic, so I have no problem doing what is necessary at Beach on Sixth to keep it pristine,” said Ms Delany.
When the owners were informed from Ms Delany’s regular email newsletter that Beach on Sixth was going for a higher star rating, they all pitched in to help.
In March 2011 Beach on Sixth received a 4½ star rating from AAA Tourism.
“I believe tourism at Cotton Tree and the whole of the Sunshine Coast needs much more promotion. There seems to be a perception that since the floods Sunshine Coast tourism is not happening,” said Ms Delany. “Tourism Sunshine Coast and the newly formed Destination Management Tourism Board need to be more proactive and get out amongst all types of businesses to unite in promoting tourism.”
“We are thankful every day that we live in a place like this at Beach on Sixth and we get to do what we love doing,” beamed Ms Delany.
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