What about the software industry? One company, Sterland Computing, has built a successful software business from the Central Coast without the need for big city office and sales staff.

A wholly Australian owned and operated organisation, Sterland Computing, started in 1981 and has established a client base of more than 400 businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Its core business is developing and selling business management solutions to the building supplies sector.

Sterland's general manager Greg Thomas said the company has around 30 employees operating out of it's Erina offices across development, support, sales and administration.

Sterland has always been located on the Central Coast since it's origins 40 years ago from Sterland Brothers Timber in Gosford.

"The major cost difference is in rent," Thomas said. "We have always had modern and spacious facilities in our offices (certainly over the last 10 years) which means we can offer a comfortable and pleasant environment for our employees and visiting customers. In pure terms, comparing similar offices in North Sydney or even a little further North we are paying 50 percent less in rent."