Walker Corp lodges plans for high-rise carpark complex in Maroochydore CBD

Property giant Walker Corp has lodged a development application for a nine-storey carparking, retail and dining high-rise in the new Maroochydore CBD.

Property giant Walker Corp’s first official foray into the new Maroochydore CBD has begun after plans were lodged for a nine-storey carparking, retail and dining high-rise.

Adams and Sparkes Town Planning, on behalf of Walker Maroochydore Developments, lodged the plans with Economic Development Queensland for a parking station, shop, food and drink outlet and community use facility.

The proposal was for a parcel of land at Lot 110 Market Street, Maroochydore, neighboured by the Market Lane precinct.

Plans for major carparking, retail and dining facility set on nine storeys in the Maroochydore CBD have been lodged with the state government.

It sought to build a nine-storey parking station with 294 car bays, 56 motorcycle bays and 28 bicycle bays within the 50ha CBD.

The plans showed levels one to eight would be used for “publicly accessible vehicle parking for the entire city centre”.

“The proposed development primarily consists of a public carparking station that will be constructed over nine storeys, with three leasable tenancies proposed to be delivered at ground level,” the plans read.

“Further, the proposed development comprises an ancillary administration office for the carparking station and end of trip facilities/bathroom amenities at ground level.

“It is sought to gain approval for the ground level tenancies to accommodate either a shop, food and drink outlet or community use interchangeably.”

Plans for major carparking, retail and dining facility set on nine storeys in the Maroochydore CBD have been lodged with the State Government.

The plans showed Sunshine Coast Council, the registered owner of the land, consented to the application.

A Walker Corp spokesman said construction was proposed to start in April 2022 and be completed in February 2023, if approved.

It would join a carpark on Sunshine Coast Parade which had about 200 parking spaces.

The spokesman said Walker Corp had a range of concept plans for other buildings in the CBD which would be announced in due course.

Walker Corporation’s landmark agreement with the council would lead to an investment of $2.5bn into the overall project.

Over the next 15-20 years the CBD redevelopment would deliver 160,000sq m of commercial and retail space and 4000 residential apartments.

Responding to further questions about a lack of transport options to take away the need for carparks, project director Murray McCarthy said the following:

“Until the mass transport problem into the Maroochydore CBD is fixed by all levels of government, carparks are essential for public to be able to utilise the new CBD.”

Walker Corp chairman Lang Walker was recently voted the Sunshine Coast Daily’s most influential person in the region.

Mr Walker previously told the Sunshine Coast Daily the company would deliver a CBD which would attract some of the best companies in the world to do business on the Sunshine Coast.