Top Sunshine Coast developers and their major projects
From master planned communities home to 50,000 people to surf parks and stunning $65m venues, here is how the Sunshine Coast’s most prominent developers are changing the face of the region.
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From $5bn master planned communities to stunning pubs and venues, the Sunshine Coast has undergone plenty of change at the hands of developers in recent years.
With the region’s landscape continuing to shift, here is a deep dive into the top developers who are leading some of the most significant projects.
Craig Morrison – Town Group
Town Group director Craig Morrison was born, attended school and completed university on the Sunshine Coast.
Mr Morrison said he has been within the property development and real estate industry for the past six years.
“I love being part of the Sunshine Coast and being able to make a small difference with each project,” he said
Current projects include a $30m surf park at Glass House Mountains, rooftop dining at Pavilion in Mooloolaba and a 29-lot development at Mt Coolum.
“I feel very lucky to have the opportunity on the coast with available land to deliver projects,” Mr Morrison said.
“Other parts of the world that are already developed out wouldn’t have the same opportunity.”
Beau Salter – Besal Property
Beau Salter founded Besal about 10 years ago as a construction and development businesses.
“My goal was to control the entire process from acquisition and design, all the way through to handover,” Mr Salter said.
Mr Salter grew up in Port Douglas and watched the region’s evolution from a fishing town to a tourist hub, he said.
“I moved to the Sunshine Coast because it had the same coastal, country feel from where I grew up, yet offered more opportunity around employment, lifestyle, education and great surf,” Mr Salter said.
Besal’s Kings Beach townhouse development received Urban Development Institute of Australia and Housing Industry Association awards and its commercial development on 20 Ormuz Ave, Caloundra achieved a national architectural commendation, he said.
Its latest project is the $15m The Smith Residences, consisting of eight townhomes at Mooloolaba.
“Our passion is delivering high quality, high functioning and low maintenance beachside townhomes to address what has historically been a gap in housing options,” Mr Salter said.
Andrew and Jo Pitcher – Highgate Developments
Andrew and Jo Pitcher steer the ship at Highgate Developments, the group behind The Grove at Mooloolah Valley and Woombye’s $10m Sixty6 Acres luxury farmstay.
Mr Pitcher said he is proud of developments they have in hinterland railway towns, from Nambour to Mooloolah.
“Of these, the Grove Mooloolah Valley is a stunning estate in our opinion, marrying urban living with a ‘close to nature’ location,” he said.
“More recently, we are incredibly excited about our luxury farmstay, Sixty6 Acres Woombye, which is centrally located and changing the game in terms of rural holiday offerings.”
The business is “laser focused” on modernising parts of the Sunshine Coast which may previously have been unfashionable.
Mr and Mrs Pitcher grew up on the Sunshine Coast. After studying in Brisbane and then working almost 20 years overseas, they returned to the region.
Tim Reed- NeuBau Group
NeuBau Group director Tim Reed was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast and has spent 10 years delivering projects with his business.
Before forming his development group, recently renamed to NeuBau Group, he worked in the industry with his family’s company which he said was “a great eye opener” into his career.
“I still believe I learnt from the best humans, not the best developers – I was very lucky to be able to watch my grandfather, Harry Reed and father, Ken Reed, deliver and achieve some awesome things on the Sunshine Coast, again not always just property developments,” Mr Reed said.
“I will be forever thankful that they tolerated me in their ear and in their offices.”
His office is undertaking 14 projects across the region including mixed commercial, retail, residential, industrial and childcare developments.
Recent proposals include a $60m day hospital in Sippy Downs and Palmwoods’ first supermarket.
Mr Reed said he loves the process and the people he gets to meet and work with.
“I love what I do, I love where I live and the people that have lived here for decades or a week,” he said.
“I hope to continue doing what I am doing and assisting with the Coast’s growth as long as it (the Coast) allows me to.”
Josh Sondergeld – Stockland
Stockland’s $5bn Aura master planned community at Caloundra South will when completed be home to 50,000 people.
Stockland project director Josh Sondergeld said it has been rewarding to play a role in bringing these communities to life.
In addition to Aura, he is also particularly proud of their communities at Brightwater in Mountain Creek.
“Over the years, it has been great to see each develop their own identity and character and I’m proud to have been a part of that,” Mr Sondergeld said.
“I was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, surrounded by its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and sense of community.
“As the region continues to evolve, the essence of the Sunshine Coast lifestyle remains true and it’s great to be able to raise my family here.”
He received a scholarship at Stockland 17 years ago and has since worked across both South East Queensland and Western Australia which has provided valuable experience and opportunities.
Mr Sondergeld is also the Sunshine Coast branch president for the Urban Development Institute of Australia, working with the Sunshine Coast Council, state government and industry to advocate for sustainable development, he said.
Roy and McLean Henzell – Henzell Property Group
An 810ha parcel of land on the coast of Caloundra purchased for 2000 English pounds in 1946 is now Pelican Waters, thanks to the Henzell family.
Today Henzell Property Group continues to lead significant developments across the Sunshine Coast with father-son team Roy and McLean Henzell as at the helm.
Henzell Property Group is also behind the $95m Verre Caloundra project, a residential multistorey development located at Bulcock St.
The company has also developed $200m residential development The Cove within the heart of Pelican Waters, which features 221 units.
Mal Pratt – Pratt Property Group
Pratt Property Group has been behind several residential and commercial spaces as well as retirement communities across the Sunshine Coast.
The company was founded by Mal Pratt, with the business delivering projects across the region for more than 40 years.
Its portfolio includes the shopping complex at Caloundra West, Bellvista and Brightwater taverns and Kon-Tiki Business Centre and La Balsa Business Centre.
The company was also behind the Paperbark apartments at Maroochydore, Haven Apartments at Sippy Downs and The Beach House complex at Mooloolaba.
Pratt Property Group is currently awaiting a Sunshine Coast Council decision on its five-storey office tower development at Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore.
The project is proposed to have 62 office spaces, two retail spaces, one pub or tavern and a rooftop terrace restaurant.
Cleighton Clark – Habitat Development Group
Cleighton Clark founded Habitat Development Group in 2005 which in recent years has had a significant impact on the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre.
The company developed the $83m Market Lane complex which features 81 apartments and is home to Tony Kelly’s Market Bistro and Giddy Geisha restaurants, as well as the $129m The Corso apartments at Maroochydore.
Habitat has also lodged a development application for a $153m Lake Kawana waterfront tower project.
The proposed St Clair apartments would feature 200 units across two eight-storey towers.
Scott Juniper – Cube Developments
Cube Developments was established by Scott and Kirsten Juniper in 2015 and has commandeered several residential projects.
Mr Juniper has a history in developments from his own ventures, family business and his current company.
Some of its most recent projects include the $75m Oasis apartment complex in Bokarina, Maroochydore Nature and Beach Life at Alexandra Headland.
Dirk Long and Matthew Evans – Evans Long
Dirk Long and Matthew Evans founded Evans Long in 2011 and took on the transformation of The Wharf at Mooloolaba in 2016.
Originally built in the late 80s, the company transformed the site into a seaside precinct with boutiques, eateries and activities for residents and tourists.
Evans Long is also behind the $18.8m A1 complex – featuring retail and office spaces – and the $30m Foundation Place commercial tower, at Maroochydore City Centre.
Paul, Rob and David Comiskey – Comiskey Group
The team behind the iconic Sandstone Point Hotel is spending millions of dollars on Sunshine Coast venues and retail development.
David, Paul and Rob Comiskey are behind the Comiskey Group which developed the $65m The Doonan restaurant and bar at the Noosa hinterland.
The company is also working on developing a 150ha music festival site at Coochin Creek, to be called Coochin Fields, and a $35m live music venue, the Aura Hotel, at Caloundra South.
Paul Comiskey founded the group with sons Rob and David in 2004.
Walter Iezzi – Walter Iezzi Group
Prominent Sunshine Coast developer Walter Iezzi has more than three decades experience delivering Sunshine Coast residential projects.
Some of Walter Iezzi Property Group’s recent developments including Oceanus and Azzure at Bokarina Beach.
The company has also completed luxury NOVA Mooloolaba Beach Elysee Alexandra Headland apartment developments.
Robert Flipp and Peter Shadforth – Parklakes 1, 2 and Central
Parklakes Central is the latest proposal from the developers who delivered Parklakes 1 and 2, Robert Flipp, Sam Williams and Peter Shadforth.
The Bli Bli Northern Village residential community is proposed to be located on flat farmland in Bli Bli and has recently undergone public consultation.
If approved Parklakes Central would include 450 low-density homes – depending if plans for a retirement facility are approved – as well as 70 medium-density homes and a shopping centre.
Tim Forrester – Aria Property Group
Tim Forrester’s Aria Property Group is behind plans for a $181m five-star luxury hotel project at Mooloolaba.
The 1 The Esplanade project will feature 46 apartments, 151 hotel rooms and a rooftop restaurant and bar as well as public and private access to an infinity pool.
The company was founded by Tim Forrester with friends and family members in 2003.
It also developed the 10-storey, 58 apartment Breeze complex at 3 Meta St, Mooloolaba.
Brook Monahan – Mosaic Property Group
The Esplanade at Cotton Tree will soon feature two of Mosaic Property Group’s “boutique” residential buildings of 41 tenancies.
The company is also developing an “ultra-luxury, extreme boutique collection” of residences along the Maroochy River on Duporth Ave.
The Brisbane-based group was formed in 2004 by Brook Monahan before rebranding with co-founder Dave Handley in 2012.
They have overseen the completion of at least 59 projects since 2014 and their portfolio value has reached $1.7bn, its website states.
Kenneth Wagner – KPAT Hotels and Pubs
Toowoomba-based KPAT is developing a 13-storey, $50m tower at Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba after it gained Sunshine Coast Council approval in March, 2022 to transform the car park site.
Managing director Kenneth Wagner, of Toowoomba’s prominent Wagner family, spearheaded the development approval process.
Working with international company Minor Hotels, the project would evolve into Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel with 180 rooms, four restaurants, conference facilities and more.
Mr Wagner is the founder and director of the major hotel development company KPAT Hotels and Pubs.
Roz White – White’s IGA
Supermarket baron Roz White and her husband Michael are the owners of six independent IGA supermarkets across the Sunshine Coast.
On top of that the pair is involved in the development of the $20m Bli Bli Tavern with hotelier Scott Armstrong.
They also developed Forest Glen Centre Village with Tony Riddle.
Bradley Sutherland – Sanad Capital
Sanad Capital chief executive Bradley Sutherland is behind plans for the major development of the $130m resort and surf park at Steve Irwin Way, Glenview.
The completed project would include a 160-villa family resort and up to 25 rides within the water park.
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