Suburb’s planned evolution into a ‘centrepiece’ for region

A Sunshine Coast area is set for take off on the back of fast-tracked highway upgrades and long-term development plans to evolve into a “centrepiece” suburb.

Forest Glen is set for take off on the back of fast-tracked highway upgrades and long-term development plans to evolve into a "centrepiece" suburb.

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien said the leafy suburb's days of being a "passageway" for school drop-offs were fast drawing to a close amid all the public and private developments.

Mr O'Brien, who recently pledged significant funding into the Bruce Highway connections surrounding Forest Glen, said it would turn into a "centrepiece" for the western side of Buderim.

Drone photos above the Maroochydore and Mons roads interchanges at Forest Glen, which have been a catalyst for more development. Photo: Patrick Woods

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"I think Forest Glen will become more and more important as time goes on," Mr O'Brien said.

"We have seen a mixture of private and public development working together to create a far more vibrant town centre. It will become a real community hub as time goes on."

There are some big private investments coming in around the Forest Glen town centre which Mr O'Brien said would create ongoing interest for business owners.

Developer Tony Riddle has big plans for a new shopping precinct at Mons Road. It is currently with Sunshine Coast Council.

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A new IGA shopping centre and retail precinct, over-50s living options and residential estates headline the changes to the suburb.

Mr O'Brien said the $301 million Bruce Highway upgrades at Maroochydore and Mons Rds were "a big piece of the puzzle".

"It is going to be a far more easier and more efficient area for people to shop, engage and socialise," he said.

Mr O'Brien said there needed to be more strategic planning around the suburb's future, which he looked forward to working on with all levels of government.

The Sunshine Coast division 7 councillor Ted Hungerford said with the interchanges fast-tracked, and the recent completion of the Owen Creek Road roundabout, all developments could feed off the upgrades.

"We knew what the road network would do, so every bit of development small and large has been planned with that in mind," Cr Hungerford said.

He said it was important for development to be of a certain size and scope.

"We don't want people coming here from far and wide, not like a major attraction," he said.

"That's the whole idea of the emerging community zone."

Cr Hungerford, who grew up in his division, said he was excited for what the future held for the suburb.

"Things are coming together after a long hard battle, the interchanges, the IGA development, when we get to that point … I am really excited," Cr Hungerford said.

"For years I've had my backs to the wall, they said it was a pipedream.

"I'm really proud. This is the same area as I grew up in, I want it to be better than back then."

Aerial footage from the Azure estate in Forest Glen where 21 lots all sold on one weekend.

Town Group sales manager Craig Morrison said feedback from clients looking to buy in Forest Glen showed that its central location was paramount to their decision.

"It's so central to everything, you can nip down to Brisbane, to Buderim, the schools or to the beach, it's so central," Mr Morrison said.

"It's definitely grown heaps in the past few years. And there's plenty of land still there, it just needs to be rezoned."

Mr Morrison, who recently sold an entire land release in a single weekend at Azure Forest Glen, said more lots would have sold if not for the "uncertainty" around the HomeBuilder legislation.

"We've had heaps of inquiries. We have got stage 2 online and are starting to get sales, but there's that hesitation around the scheme," he said.

"Buyers are wanting that insurance."

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