Brisbane developers reveal vision for Barns Lane Farm at Coolum Beach

Three Brisbane developers are ditching the city for the Sunshine Coast as they move forward with a major agribusiness and tourism project.

Developers Jonathan Leishman and Jason and Helen Grant are behind plans for a agribusiness and tourist hub at Coolum Beach, called Barns Lane Farm.

The Brisbane developers behind a major Coast agribusiness and tourist venture describe it as a “passion project” and one they are committed to for the long-term.

Jason and Helen Grant and Jonathan Leishman visited the Sunshine Coast this week to meet with farmers, residents and schoolchildren to promote their plans for 39 Barns Lane at Coolum Beach.

Barns Lane Farm is the latest development planned for the 6ha block which is considered a focal point to the entry of the coastal suburb.

Bunnings had previously tried to gain planning approval to build a store on the site but it was unsuccessful.

The new development is proposed to feature a food and produce hall, stage, nursery, a boutique hotel, restaurants, a distillery and breweries.

The Grants and business partner Mr Leishman plan to move to the Sunshine Coast to be owner-operators of the venture.

Developers Jonathan Leishman and Jason Grant are behind plans for a agribusiness and tourist hub at Coolum Beach, called Barns Lane Farm.

A material change of use application was lodged with Sunshine Coast Council in February and it recently reached the public comment stage.

Mr Grant said the produce hall was key to the aim of the development, which was to provide a connection between the Sunshine Coast’s beaches and hinterland.

The hall will feature up to 50 stalls with one to six month licenses offering farmers and producers a new way to sell or advertise their products and farm stay experiences.

Mr Grant said this was their biggest project to date with previous experience being on smaller scale projects such as housing and shopping centres.

The vision for the new Barns Lane Farm.

“The core of Barns Lane Farm is the produce hall, we see that as being a place to showcase the region’s producers and being a catalyst for tourism back into the hinterland,” Mr Grant said.

“It will be a place people can learn about farm-stay experiences.”

It will also have several permanent features including a butcher and deli.

Ms Grant said they wanted to move to the Sunshine Coast and the large development site coming on the market turned that dream into a reality.

They had the vision for Barns Lane Farm early last year but were outbid by another developer.

Mr Grant said the buyer did not proceed and they was able to secure the site late last year.

The vision for the new Barns Lane Farm.

Former Maroochy and Sunshine Coast councils refused Bunnings’ three development applications to build a warehouse, service station and restaurant in 2006, 2012 and 2016 on grounds the development did not comply with the planning scheme.

The refusals were upheld in the Planning and Environment Court and finally the Supreme Court of Queensland, which dismissed Bunnings' appeal in November 2019.

Before that, the block was used to feed llamas.

The site neighbours Coolum State School where the developers visited this week.

Mr Grant said they hoped to provide a solution to school parking woes by offering parents usage of the 360-space car park for drop-off and pick-up.

Pending council approvals they hope to start earthworks before Christmas with construction to take about 10 to 12 months.

Residents have until July 8 to make a submission on the proposal for the Material Change of Use application lodged with Sunshine Coast Council.