Bold bid launches to create major new Coast destination

A bid to deliver the Coast’s own version of Byron Bay’s famous ‘The Farm’ precinct is underway, with support swelling.

BOLD VISION: Plans have been lodged for an exciting new nature-based tourism venture at Yandina Creek.

A bid to deliver the Coast's own version of Byron Bay's famous 'The Farm' precinct is underway, with plans lodged to develop an exciting new destination.

Documents lodged with Sunshine Coast Council on December 22 by RPS Group on behalf of Brett McAlister's BE Building Group outlined the bold vision set to put Yandina Creek on the global map.

The proposal aims to transform a 22ha former commercial farm on Yandina Coolum Rd into a nature-based tourism facility titled Bin'dha Farm.

PLANS: A bold vision for a new venture similar to Byron Bay's 'The Farm' has been lodged with council. Pictured are some of the plans for Bin'dha Farm at Yandina Creek.

Documents submitted outlined the bold vision to transform the site, drawing on its rich agricultural history, to become a paddock-to-plate food experience, backed by a working farm and range of nature-based tourism activities.

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Both Visit Sunshine Coast and the Food and Agribusiness Network have thrown their support behind the concept, which is seeking development approval for the likes of eco-cabins, cropping, animal husbandry, food and drink outlets, a function facility, cooking school, shop and garden centre.

PLANS: A bold vision for a new venture similar to Byron Bay's 'The Farm' has been lodged with council. Pictured are some of the plans for Bin'dha Farm at Yandina Creek.

The Farm at Byron Bay had also expressed its support of the project, which was set to employ 60-100 locals on a full time-equivalent basis.

Beekeeping, cattle and chickens were proposed to be a part of the project, which included plans for a cafe, bakery, fruit and nut orchards, eight accommodation pods, function centre, a Food and Agribusiness Network administration building and more.

It was unclear how much the coronavirus pandemic could impact construction timelines, but the project was poised to capitalise on several emerging tourism trends including paddock-to-plate, culinary and sustainable tourism.

Sydney and Melbourne visitors had been specifically identified as a key target market for the facility.

Letters of support from The Farm Byron Bay CEO Ryan Sharpley showed the group was committed exclusively to Mr McAlister's vision on the Sunshine Coast, and was eager to explore an opportunity to activate the site as a "Farm location on the Sunshine Coast".

PLANS: A bold vision for a new venture similar to Byron Bay's 'The Farm' has been lodged with council. Pictured are some of the plans for Bin'dha Farm at Yandina Creek.

Food and Agribusiness Network general manager Emma Greenhatch also backed the vision, supportive of the plan which she said would "shine a spotlight on our region as a unique, high-value food tourism destination".

In November Visit Sunshine Coast interim CEO Craig Davidson also threw the organisation's support behind the plan.

Mr Davidson wrote that the Bin'dha Farm concept would only add to the region's already thriving food and drink scene, and he praised the ambition to engage and support local food suppliers with a project which would "ultimately help drive visitation to our region".

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