We’ve made it happen… with our new Make it Central brand

Behind every great business is a story, and on Tasmania’s Central Coast, those stories are built on opportunity, connection and lifestyle.

At the official launch of the Make it Central website and brand, we heard from local business owners about why they chose to make it here, and why more people are choosing to live, work and grow in our region.

Instead of producing a traditional investment prospectus, Central Coast Council launched Make it Central, a new website and online presence that tells the story of Tasmania’s Central Coast in a way that truly reflects our people, opportunities and lifestyle.

Alongside the website and brand, an inspirational promotional video was aired, that highlighted the benefits of living, working and building a business on the Central Coast.

Young entrepreneurs are building their future on Tasmania’s Central Coast

As shown in the video, many young entrepreneurs are choosing Tasmania’s Central Coast to build their businesses and raise their families, because this is a rare place where lifestyle meets opportunity in perfect balance.

Unashamedly relaxed, the entrepreneurial spirit hides gently in the community as quiet achievers. These young people take inspiration from the old hands in Central Coast: multi-generational businesspeople who know they are onto a good thing living and working here; who’ve built and grown their businesses into solid, well-rounded and intuitive operations.

From the rich fertile soils that yield Australia’s finest foods to strong innovation in everything from pyrethrum and farm machinery to road builders and high-tech niche industries, Central Coast is an inspiration to all.

For Hannah Lewis, owner of The Penguin Pantry, that choice meant moving from Melbourne to Penguin in 2020 and taking over a long-standing local business in a beachside town.

“It’s pretty special,” Hannah 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.”

At Buttons Brewing, founder Josh Roberts said his reasons for building the business on the Central Coast have evolved over time.

“Initially I started Buttons Brewing here because I was the only craft brewery on the North West Coast and that was an advantage,” Josh said. “Now, the advantage is the lifestyle and having a great place to bring up a family.”

In the trades sector, Sam Kiely has taken over Kiely Plumbing, continuing a family business while raising three young children on the Coast.

“We’re raising three kids under four in a safe, connected community with some of the cleanest air in the world,” Sam said. “You can jet away for a warm holiday and come back to nature, where business has a deeper purpose.”

He said the sense of connection on the Coast also shaped how the business operates day to day.

“There’s a reliability and loyalty here that makes doing business meaningful,” he said. “People look out for each other. It’s one of the reasons we’ve stayed and thrived for so long.”

Central Coast Council Mayor Cheryl Fuller said the stories highlight why the region is increasingly appealing to a new generation of business owners.

“Young business owners don’t want to choose between opportunity and lifestyle,” Cr Fuller said. “On the Central Coast, they don’t have to, and that’s why more people are choosing to build their businesses and their lives here.”

A Central Coast Council initiative that hopes to make an impact.

These stories form part of Make it Central, a Central Coast Council initiative and website showcasing the people behind the region’s growing business momentum.

Council’s Director of Strategic Growth, Daryl Connelly, said the initiative was designed to amplify real local stories and help attract future investment to the region.

"The Make it Central website and online presence showcases why Tasmania’s Central Coast is a smart place to work, invest and grow. It’s a key part of our push to attract new people and new businesses, alongside initiatives like the East Ulverstone Industrial Precinct expansion.

“Hannah, Josh and Sam’s stories highlight the ambition and capability already here. We look forward to telling more of those success stories and shining a light on national and global leaders like Botanical Resources Australia and Harvest Moon to name a few”.

It was wonderful to celebrate the launch surrounded by local business owners and community members, and to hear firsthand their enthusiasm and support. That feedback matters, because Make it Central is grounded in their stories, experience and ambition.

A big thank you to Central Coast Council Mayor Cheryl Fuller, Councillors and CEO Vicki Brereton for their ongoing support, and to Roger Jaensch MP and the Tasmanian Government for backing our region’s growth.

We’re incredibly proud of everyone who helped bring this to life — and excited to see how it continues to grow.

Make it happen. Make it yours. Make it Central.

In the trades sector, Sam Kiely has taken over Kiely Plumbing, continuing a family business while raising three young children on the Coast.

“We’re raising three kids under four in a safe, connected community with some of the cleanest air in the world,” Sam said. “You can jet away for a warm holiday and come back to nature, where business has a deeper purpose.”

He said the sense of connection on the Coast also shaped how the business operates day to day.

“There’s a reliability and loyalty here that makes doing business meaningful,” he said. “People look out for each other. It’s one of the reasons we’ve stayed and thrived for so long.”

Central Coast Council Mayor Cheryl Fuller said the stories highlight why the region is increasingly appealing to a new generation of business owners.

“Young business owners don’t want to choose between opportunity and lifestyle,” Cr Fuller said. “On the Central Coast, they don’t have to, and that’s why more people are choosing to build their businesses and their lives here.”

The stories form part of Make it Central, a Central Coast Council initiative and website showcasing the people behind the region’s growing business momentum.

Council’s Director Strategic Growth Daryl Connelly said the initiative was designed to amplify real local stories and help attract future investment to the region.

"The Make it Central website and online presence showcases why Tasmania’s Central Coast is a smart place to work, invest and grow. It’s a key part of our push to attract new people and new businesses, alongside initiatives like the East Ulverstone Industrial Precinct expansion.” “Hannah, Josh and Sam’s stories highlight the ambition and capability already here. We look forward to telling more of those success stories and shining a light on national and global leaders like Botanical Resources Australia and Harvest Moon to name a few”.

Read Hannah, Josh and Sam’s stories, among others, right now on Make it Central.