Holiday Inn under scrutiny for non-compliant Caloundra hotel plans

Sunshine Coast residents are set to have their final say on a large-scale hotel development as the council points out the development would be short 167 car parks.

Plans for Holiday Inn Caloundra.

Sunshine Coast residents are set to have their final say on a large-scale hotel development, as some point out a major shortfall in the plan’s design.

Plans for the 160-room hotel set to be built at 51-55 Bulcock St, Caloundra, were first submitted by international hotel giant, IHG Hotels and Resorts, to the Sunshine Coast Council earlier this year.

The Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra would feature a sky bar, lobby cafe and retail outlets, if approved.

However, according to the planning report the development would only include 86 car parks.

The council responded to the plans by outlining this would result in a shortfall of 167 from the 253 required for a development of the proposed scale.

Artist's impression of IHG Hotels and Resort's Holiday Inn Suites project in Caloundra Photo: DBI Architects

One public submission made to the council regarding the proposal slammed the designs as “ridiculous”.

“Eighty-six car parks are not adequate for a 160 room hotel development. The developer should be providing sufficient car parks for the guests of the hotel, staff, and other patrons attending the bar and restaurants,” the submission read.

“To suggest that overflow parking could be absorbed by the existing parking facilities in the Caloundra CBD is ridiculous, considering how difficult it is to park in the CBD currently.”

Artist's impression of IHG Hotels and Resort's Holiday Inn Suites project in Caloundra Photo: DBI Architects

In response to the council’s concerns, the developer submitted the current planning code did not reflect the parking demands that would be associated with the hotel.

“It is acknowledged that the proposed carparking provision for the Short Term Accommodation use does not achieve compliance with the carparking requirements outlined in the SCC Transport and Parking Code,” the response stated.

“However, it is noted that the carparking requirements outlined within the SCC Transport and Parking Code may not accurately reflect the carparking demand of the proposed boutique hotel development.”

Public submissions on the development close on Monday, December 9.

If approved, the developer previously stated the hotel would be up and running in 2028.