Public transport crucial to Coast’s $60m ‘landmark’ project

Council is hopeful its employees will lead the way in creating a “walkable city” as shovels hit the ground at its new $60m HQ.

VISION: An artist's impression of Council's new City Hall building in the Maroochydore CBD.

There will be 444 more employees than parking spaces at the new Maroochydore city hall, with the majority being encouraged to use alternative transport to get to work.

Construction started today on the $60 million future council headquarters at the Maroochydore City Centre.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said once completed in 2022, it would be a landmark building for the city centre and encourage future development in the area.

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The 10-storey building will include customer contact, council chamber, retail spaces and office accommodation.

It will have 156 carparking spaces for about 600 council staff.

"I guess ideally we don't want every employee driving their car to work," Cr Jamieson said.

"That seems a little glib but the reality is we want this to be a public transport destination, a walkable city centre.

"We'll have to cater for cars because cars won't disappear overnight nor are we going to have an effective public transport system overnight."

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson and McNab Sunshine Coast construction manager Carl Nancarrow announce the start of construction for the new city hall at Maroochydore City Centre.

He suggested there was potential for temporary carparking areas within the new city centre.

"We've got 53 hectares here, we can have a range of temporary carparking locations," he said.

"There are dates set in stone where multideck carparks will be constructed to cater for the buildings that are opening.

"I'm quite confident that we'll be able to deliver on that but ultimately we want to be a public transport city."

An aerial view shows where Sunshine Coast City Hall will be in the Maroochydore city centre.

There will be 200 staff remaining at the Caloundra and Nambour council offices.

Cr Jamieson said upgrades were planned for the offices, with potential for businesses within the private sector to make use of the buildings too.

The council endorsed the concept plan for the building in May 2019 and it is the second building to start construction at the City Centre.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson and McNab Sunshine Coast construction manager Carl Nancarrow turn the first sod for the new city hall at the Maroochydore City Centre.

The project has created up to 300 construction jobs, with the build being completed by McNab.

McNab Sunshine Coast manager Carl Nancarrow said the project provided a much-needed shot in the arm for the region's economy.

"Securing a project of this scale right now is not only important for McNab, it's a major injection into the local construction industry and economy," Mr Nancarrow said.

"We think the Sunshine Coast region has a very bright future, and commend Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral for the leadership and confidence they are demonstrating in our region," he said.

"It's not every day we get to build a new landmark city hall, and we're very proud that we can now bring Sunshine Coast Council's vision to life now that we have the green light to commence works on site over the coming weeks."

The City Hall building is under construction at the corner of South Sea Islander Way and First Ave, Maroochydore.

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