Sanad Capital Pty Ltd appeal against Sunshine Coast Council, Surf Parks Australia to be dismissed
Court documents have revealed a lengthy battle between rival developers and the Sunshine Coast council over similar water parks is nearly over after a bombshell decision.
Police & Courts
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A long-running battle between two would-be surf park supremos appears to be nearing its end with a major development in the court case.
A Sunshine Coast developer, locked in a bitter dispute with a rival over a proposed water park on the Sunshine Coast, will have their appeal to overturn council approval for the development dismissed, court documents have revealed.
Sanad Capital Pty Ltd launched an appeal against the Sunshine Coast Council and rival developer Surf Parks Australia after the council approved a surf park tourist attraction at the Glass House Mountains, about 20km north of Sanad Capital’s own, very similar development.
Queensland Planning and Environment Court documents state Surf Parks Australia’s development is a “high quality purpose built surf park dedicated to surfers and those who want to become surfers” with controlled, artificial waves to create different conditions for different skill levels.
It includes a large, 315m-long wave pool with a beach viewing area on three of its four edges; a separate, 400sq m swimming pool; car and bus parking with set down areas; an accessible landscaped gardens area and a building with change rooms, a restaurant, food and bar areas, a reception and gift shop and viewing areas, the documents state.
Meanwhile, the Sanad Capital development focuses on their own wave pool and caters to surfing enthusiasts, the documents state; but unlike the rival development, includes an adventure waterpark and a 160-villa resort.
The documents state as of April 26, some construction had already begun.
Judge Glen Cash said in the documents the rival development should go ahead as there was an overriding need for it with high demand. He said it may “split the market” to some extent, but would not cause the Glenview development to fail.
The documents state he said some good quality farmland would be lost to the development, but there was nowhere else on the Sunshine Coast it could go. Additionally, it would not detract from the scenic amenity or landscape values of the area and it was suitable for the area, he said.
Judge Cash said in court documents Sanad Capital’s appeal would be dismissed “in due course” and the development will be approved.
The matter will then return to court for review on June 9.
Surf Parks Australia chief executive Craig Morrison said the company was “delighted” to hear the appeal would be dismissed.
“(We are) happy to be able to move forward and deliver a great facility for the Sunshine Coast community,” he said.
Company partner and URBN Surf founding member Chris Salmon said he had seen first hand the benefits of having the facility in the community.
“Outside of the economic benefits of local employment and tourist visitation, the mental and physical health benefits these facilities provide are fantastic for Queensland and the Sunshine Coast community,” he said.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said the council could not comment as the matter is still before the court.
Sanad Capital Pty Ltd founder and managing director Bradley Sutherland declined to comment.
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