Noosa biggest developers who helped shape the region – SEE THE FULL LIST
Noosa has grown to be known as one of the nation’s top holiday hot spots, thanks in large to the efforts of several visionary developers. SEE THE LIST HERE
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It’s regarded as one of Australia’s top holiday destinations but Noosa has its identity in part due to the visionary efforts of a select group of developers who have contributed to what the area is today.
The Sunshine Coast Daily has compiled a list of Noosa’s biggest developers that helped shape the region, which is more than just a tourist mecca, but also home to more than 52,000 people according to the 2016 Census.
Almost 15,000 families call the region home.
See some of the people who played a key role in shaping the region and who continue to drive projects in the blue-chip region where property and development opportunity remains at a premium.
Mark Stockwell – Noosa Shire Business Centre
Former Olympic swimmer Mark Stockwell bought back the Noosa Civic shopping centre in August 2018 for about $250m after previously selling the property to the Queensland Investment Corporation for $200m in 2012.
The 30,000sq m centre is located in Noosa and occupies more than 31ha of land with more than 20ha remaining undeveloped.
The Noosa Civic sits within a trade area home to 91,980, estimated to have a combined spending power of $1.3bn, which is forecast to grow by an average of 4 per cent per annum to reach $1.9bn by 2028.
In September, 2020 Noosa Council reached an agreement with Mr Stockwell to enable the first step of the Shire Business Centre to proceed.
The decision to extend to the current Noosa Civic means new road connections, with the extension of Hofmann Drive through to Walter Hay Drive, plus creation of several large lots.
Alan Starkey – Noosa Springs
In 1992, developer Alan Starkey of the Starkey family had a dream in his head to create a residential golf course development like no other in Australia.
Mr Starkey bought 103ha of land, surrounded by Crown land and national parks.
His vision was to establish a world-class residential precinct made up of beautiful homes, designed to meld with the environment; a superb golf course carved out of the bushland; and a splendid resort offering the sort of activities that would make living at Noosa Springs a joy.
As Noosa Springs took shape over the next two decades, it followed almost every line of that original master plan, testament to Alan Starkey’s skill as an architect as much as to his vision.
The Starkey family sold Noosa Springs to a Hong Kong developer in 2014.
Richard Tallents – Noosa health precinct
Bli Bli developer Richard Tallents of Ribarja Pty Ltd, had his $40m health hub application approved by the Noosa Council in October 2020.
Described as the Noosa Health Hub, it was detailed as the “epicentre for healthy living” and would be built across two 4000sq m lots at the intersection of Hofmann Drive and Rene Street.
There has been strong interest from medical groups operating Noosa’s only multi-theatre day hospital at Noosaville.
Rob McCready and Alex Rigby – Parkridge Noosa
Altum Group directors Rob McCready and Alex Rigby have been a driving force behind numerous Noosa developments.
Their work on the $170m Parkridge Noosa residential development in 2017 landed 179 apartments of one, two and three bedrooms.
The pair first bought the five-hectare parcel of land on Resort Drive in 2015.
Their most recent development plan was to build a townhouse and apartment complex at 101 and 105 Eumundi Noosa Road.
Robert Comiskey – Doonan land lot
Millionaire pub baron Rob Comiskey hails from the Comiskey Group – a family firm behind projects such as Eatons Hill Hotel in Brisbane and Sandstone Point Tavern in Bribie Island.
Mr Comiskey’s latest endeavour is to create a family-friendly hotel in Doonan at the 2ha Eumundi Noosa Road site.
After the Sunshine Coast Council rejected the initial application on several grounds including flooding concerns and conflicts with the planning scheme, Mr Comiskey took the council to court where Judge Williamson said the planning consequences and did not warrant the council’s refusal.
Hooker Corporation – Noosa Waters
David Archbold was executive general manager in 1988 when Noosa Waters, which remains as one of Noosa’s premier address, first came to light.
Consisting of 928 lots over 45Ha with 471 residential lots fronting a man-made canal system which is connected to the beautiful Noosa River, Noosa Waters was developed over nine years beginning in 1991.
The first release for sale sold out within eight weeks.
Jim Cox, former managing director of Myer Properties Ltd, was also an influential director at the time after beginning at Hooker Corporation in 1986.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia voted Noosa Waters the best Queensland Development in 1996 and 1997.
FKP Property Group/Aveo – Ridges Peregian Springs
The first sod was turned on Peregian Springs back in 1999 by the FKP Property Group now formally known as Aveo.
Prominent local developer Rod Forrester was director up until 2008 when Geoff Grant took over and renamed the company.
In 2016 it was recorded that there were 2,624 private dwellings in the estate with an estimated population of 10,000 people.
The final blocks of land are expected to be sold by 2021 with the estate to have an estimated population of more than 7,000 people.
Peregian Springs is also home to a state of the art golf course and a 5000sq m shopping centre that features 15 specialty stores and 300 parking spaces.
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