Wises Farm for sale via expressions of interest in rare Maroochydore land sale

Maroochydore’s last farmer is calling on companies to reveal their vision and cash offers in a land sale like no other for his sought after property.

An eighth-generation farmer is calling on deep-pocketed companies to reveal how they would transform his 35ha Maroochydore parcel in a rare sale.

At the age of 81 Peter Wise is selling the majority of his sought after Wises Farm, which has been in his family since 1901 and is the last remaining undeveloped land in Maroochydore.

Mr Wise, the name behind Wises Road, released a 57-page booklet this week outlining the history of the land and how it would be sold via a tender process.

In a land sale like no other, Mr Wise would select the buyer based on their vision, cash offer and financial capacity.

“(The sale) has been talked about for the past five years and people have been seriously approaching me for three years,” Mr Wise said.

Peter Wise is selling 35ha of his family farmland which is the last undeveloped private land in Maroochydore. Picture: Tegan Annett

“I knew I had to move on and sell, I turned 80 last year and realised I had to do something.

“Time waits for no man, that’s what my father always said.”

Revised development plans have been lodged with Sunshine Coast Council which are similar to what was approved for the property, bordering Wises Rd and Sunshine Mwy, in 2012.

It allows for seven precincts ranging from low to medium density housing to a local centre and environmental management.

Mr Wise said council approval was expected to take about four months and once received buyers would have 21 days to make written offers.

Peter Wise is selling 35ha of his Wises Farm land at Maroochydore via an expression of interest process.

Mr Wise said he opted for a private sale because “the land will sell itself”.

Mr Wise would not be drawn on a potential sale price, but said it would be significant.

He said he received a written offer for part of the land in 2002 for $30m.

“When Channel 7 did a skit on my signs 18 months ago, (newsreader) Rob Brough said it’s worth a lot of money it would have to be worth $50m,” Mr Wise said.

“I congratulate him, he’s got a flair for valuing, at least he got the deposit right.”

Mr Wise said his motivation for the 2012 approval was to use it to fight against land resumptions.

Innovative Planning Solutions has lodged fresh plans with Sunshine Coast Council for Peter Wise's Maroochydore land parcel, with homes, units, new roads and a local centre proposed.

But today the plans will be used to show interested buyers the land’s potential.

If it was to include a mix with a retirement village as well as low and medium density housing it could have up to 800 unit dwellings.

Developed with housing and a local centre it could cater for 450 lots.

The land is zoned for emerging communities – suitable for urban development with low to medium density housing and a local centre, and has a height limit of about 8.5m – equivalent to two storeys.

Two motorway underpasses already exist on the property and could allow for a new road to connect to Sunshine Cove estate.

Mr Wise said he would love to see it used for a new Christian university.

“I’m in a comfortable position because there’s quite a few people who want to buy it,” he said.

“It won’t necessarily be the highest offer, it’s about their vision and how they’re able to deliver it.

“I want the money but I’m not mesmerised by it, I want the best outcome with the best price.”

The family history on the Sunshine Coast dates back to 1901 when Mr Wise’s great grandfather Frederick purchased farmland in Buderim.

For the past 56 years Mr Wise has farmed figs at the property in the heart of Maroochydore.

Mr Wise would keep four hectares for fig farming and to cultivate coffee trees with the intent to revive the Mountain Gold coffee brand.

He also still owns Palmyra Homestead.