Forest Glen Village Centre takes shape with new businesses set to open November 2022

A Queensland construction company is aiming to finish the one-stop-shop village precinct in Forest Glen by the end of 2022, offering residents easy access to medical care and groceries.

A multimillion dollar expansion of the Forest Glen Village Centre offering a new medical centre, shopping precinct and community hub is set to open by the end of 2022.

Despite minor setbacks due to wet weather, stage two of the Forest Glen Village project, which includes three new buildings, is expected to be completed by November.

Queensland construction company, Tomkins Commercial, was awarded the contract for the Mons Rd build in November 2021, creating almost 100 local jobs during the construction phase.

Centre Board Chairman Tony Riddle said several businesses have since secured their shop front in the new part of the precinct, including Whites IGA.

“For the first time out that way people will have easy access to one of the best store operators on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Riddle said.

Michael White, Barry Lehmann and Tony Riddle at the new the Forest Glen Village Centre project.

“They’ll also have access to another bottle shop, a number of cafes and an allied health accomplished medical centre.

“The medical centre will be in building three, which is a two storey building of about 1800 sqm and will be taken up with doctors, dentists and other allied health practitioners.”

Mr Riddle said the project would be a big step forward for the region, as the population continues to grow on the Sunshine Coast.

“Sunshine Coast Council has predicted that an additional 85,000 people will call the region home over the next decade, so we know how important it is for the local community to have these additional services in the area,” he said.

“The population out (in Forest Glen) is growing, it’s harder and harder for people on the western side to get into Maroochydore, traffic is becoming more difficult.

“People are happy they don’t have to burn two hours going in and out of Maroochydore.”

Mr Riddle said the centre will provide an additional 200 car parking spaces proving “very easy access” for customers.

The newest part of the development, which is situated on 6.6ha site, will also be easily accessible on by bike and pedestrian paths.

“There will also be a sitting area and park area out the back, where you can have a bit of me time as there’s not many places to stop and enjoy the sights,” Mr Riddle said.

“People to need to do that more and have some time to themselves.”

While the third stage of the development is yet to be announced, Mr Riddle said there’s plenty of potential as he continues to work with local contractors and investors.

“There’s still another development, not sure what will go there yet,” he said.

“From renovating up the front to now to this, all the local investors are Sunshine Coast people making sure we deliver a site for the people of Forest Glen.”

Construction manager, Barry Lehmann, said Tomkins had worked hard to ensure the project would be delivered by November.

“It’s exciting to see all three buildings of the expansion taking shape, with all of the precast panels now erected and propped, and aluminium frames in place,” Mr Lehmann said.

“Mechanical and electrical works are almost complete across all three buildings and we are just about ready to commence structural work for the second level of building three with the suspended slab now complete.

“Thanks to the help of our local subcontractors, we are looking good for a November completion date, so long as the Sunshine Coast weather continues to be kind.”