10 major projects changing the face of Caloundra
From upgraded infrastructure to new businesses, schools, sports facilities and residential communities, here are the projects set to change the face of Caloundra.
Sunshine Coast
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The southern end of the Sunshine Coast is home to many major projects that are reshaping the region.
From upgraded infrastructure to new businesses, schools, sports facilities and residential communities, locals can anticipate new look and feel towns.
Here is a list of 10 major development projects set to change the face of Caloundra.
SEA CALOUNDRA
The four-star Sea Caloundra hotel proposed for Bulcock St is set to transform the main thoroughfare into a world-class cultural, commercial and residential hub.
The mixed-use hotel comprises short-term and permanent residential apartments, dining, retail and community spaces.
Documents submitted when the application was lodged with Sunshine Coast Council a year ago showed it would include 77 dedicated suites as well as 119 two and three-bedroom residential apartments.
It was poised to generate $347.4 million during the construction phase and an extra $73.3 million into the economy once completed.
Construction would also create 171 full-time equivalent jobs and 261 when operational.
The application submitted by Caloundra Central Pty Ltd has been subject to a series of information requests and plan amendments since.
The most recent changes were lodged on October 16.
They included the removal of the penthouse apartment level "to ensure the apartment tower fits within the 40m code height".
A request was also made to remove the 77 dedicated suites and for the building to solely comprise of 125 hotel rooms, including 113 one-bedroom suites and 12 three-bedroom apartment-style suites.
CALOUNDRA TRANSPORT CORRIDOR UPGRADE
The Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade involves two projects by the Sunshine Coast Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
It includes the council's widening of Third Ave, Oval Ave and Gosling St as well as the State Government's adjacent Third Ave to Nicklin Way extension.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said both projects were still in planning stages.
The council expects works to start in the 2021/22 financial year, however time frames are still subject to federal funding.
The project gained traction in September after Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey pledged $11 million for the Third Ave to Nicklin Way section.
The projects are expected to cost a combined $18.2 million.
It is proposed to improve multi-modal access to Caloundra and ease congestion from the busy Caloundra Rd and Nicklin Way roundabout.
The project has been subject to criticism from the Caloundra RSL as the council requires a resumption of part of their memorial park.
Originally it was 7.5m of land but was renegotiated to 3m.
Final plans show a four-lane road, two-way cycle track and pedestrian path as well as multiple intersections with traffic lights.
Council resolved to start purchasing land for the upgrade in January last year and began contacting property owners affected a month later.
AURA RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY
Residential community
Stockland's $5 billion master planned community, Aura, is one of the country's largest.
Over the next 30 years it is dubbed to become home to more than 50,000 residents, two business parks, 10 sporting grounds, 25 community facilities, 20 educational precincts, 700ha of conservation and park areas and 200km of cycleways and walking paths.
Construction started in 2015.
It is already home to 5000 residents across its first two suburbs, Baringa and Nirimba, with its third suburb to be delivered early next year.
The last blocks in its first exclusive estate, The Elements, went on sale last month, including its largest 1100sq m parcel.
Project manager Josh Sondergeld earlier this month said the first of more than 3000 new homes were expected to be completed by early 2022.
He said construction would start by early next year.
The new stage includes 2900 residential lots from 75sq m to 600sq m, medium density apartment blocks and retail complexes.
Aura Business Park
The first of two business parks planned for Aura is tipped to create about 3000 new jobs when complete.
Earthworks on the $215 million project started in 2018.
The first business to sign a lease at the park was local business Auramotive Mechanical Solutions, in March last year.
Since then, many more have followed including Kennards Storage, KCF Training, World Gym, Aura Veterinary Hospital, Encore Performing Arts and most recently Gymfinity Athletics and Arts.
Edge Industrial Estate opened in May and Dunes Industrial Estate is set to open soon.
Stockland has not confirmed the completion date.
Nirimba District Sports Facility
Construction also started on the 7.5ha Nirimba Sports Complex in August.
It will consist of four full-sized rugby fields, four netball courts, two cricket fields and practice nets.
The $5 million project is set to be completed in early 2021.
The development is part of the Aura Sports Network Plan, prepared by Stockland in consultation with Sunshine Coast Council and Economic Development Queensland.
As part of this plan, Stockland will contribute 70ha of land for sports parks including two major sports parks, three district sports parks and five neighbourhood sports parks.
Schools
Aura's first high school, Baringa State Secondary College, is on track to open for January's intake of students.
Construction on the $127 million project reached the halfway point in July this year.
The school will open to Year 7 and 8 students in term one, and add one year level each year after to offer Years 7-12 by 2025.
It is expected to have a capacity of 2000 students when complete.
Stage one of the school's construction featured a library, hospitality centre, sports centre, lecture theatre, science centre, canteen, oval and staff centre.
Another $68 million state primary school with a childcare centre is also coming to Caloundra South, set to be open by 2022.
The project is expected to create 224 construction jobs.
Aura's first school, Baringa State Primary School, opened in 2018.
Baringa Town Centre
The new city is also home to a $33 million retail town centre that opened on August 31 last year.
It includes an IGA, 13 specialty retailers, commercial floor space, more than 300 car spaces and the $12.5 million Baringa Tavern.
A $5 million expansion to the centre started in August this year.
The new 1215sq m development will become a "health hub" and house Aura Family Doctors, John Wallace Swim School and Avenue Dental.
It is expected to be completed early next year.
CALOUNDRA CBD REDEVELOPMENT
The major revitalisation project for the Caloundra CBD is aimed at reinvigorating the town centre.
According to the Sunshine Coast Council website, significant progress has been made in implementing several key actions since the project began in 2017.
They include amendments to the planning scheme to increase opportunities for commercial and residential development; a major upgrade to The Events Centre and major streetscape works in Bulcock St.
Some of the streetscape works included the installation of art sculptures, canopy lighting features and contemporary street furniture.
A new Caloundra Regional Gallery, library and new town square is also proposed.
"This special attention given to the centre of Caloundra will boost investment confidence and establish Caloundra as a leading business, employment and community service hub," former Division 2 councillor Tim Dwyer previously told the Daily.
It is an ongoing project.
HONEY FARM ROAD SPORT AND RECREATION PRECINCT
The Honey Farm Road Sport and Recreation Precinct project is designed to shape the future of Sunshine Coast sports and healthy living.
A draft master plan for the 75ha site released in June showed turf and hard court playing surfaces, recreation and event spaces, soccer fields, cricket nets, a possible disc golf course, dog parks, skate park and playgrounds.
It is planned for Meridan Plains opposite the Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
Sunshine Coast Council purchased the land on Honey Farm and Sattlers roads in 2011 for the purpose of providing long term sport and recreation opportunities in the southern end of the region.
A final master plan will be presented to the council sometime this year.
The council said development would be staged over several years taking into consideration budget availability.
Initial civil and earthworks relating to the main access road have already started.
PARKLANDS BOULEVARD UPGRADE
The final phase of the Parklands Blvd upgrade between the IRT Retirement Village and about 100m west of Meridan Way is almost finished.
The project began in December 2018 with stage two starting in September last year.
It was initially projected to cost $13.5 million but a council spokeswoman told the Daily the total cost was $15 million.
According to the council's website, recent construction involved an upgrade to the Sunset Dr intersection, including road widening opposite the 7-Eleven.
The upgrade had been high priority among residents prior to 2018 due to congestion around Meridan State College.
OCHRE HEALTH HUB
The state-of-the-art healthcare facility on Kalinga St is one month away from being completed.
It will house 15 GPs and an array of allied health professionals including physiotherapists and podiatrists.
The $7 million facility is deemed to be a game changer for the clinical landscape of Caloundra, and will ease pressure on hospitals and GP clinics.
Construction started in March 2020.
In mid October the project's developers applied to Sunshine Coast Council to change a condition of approval that stated opaque or solid glazing must not be used on windows outside of the proposed pharmacy.
The development application referenced a letter from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia that explained pharmacies had become increasingly susceptible to break and enters.
It stated the guild believed the large expanse of glass presented an after hours security risk, and would be expensive to insure adequately.
The developers proposed a mixture of transparent and opaque windows across both street frontages instead.
BELLS CREEK ARTERIAL ROAD
In late September, the Queensland Government announced $35 million in funding for the Bells Creek Arterial Rd upgrade.
It involves an 11km extension to the current 3km, from Baringa to the Bruce Highway.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the road would unlock $300 million of investment in the region as part of the Caloundra South development and more than 850 jobs.
Construction is expected to start within the next two weeks.
The funding is a joint commitment with developer Stockland.
The $115 million project is also expected to take pressure off the congested Caloundra Rd and provide easier access to the Bruce Highway for residents.
It will be completed in three stages, but it is unknown how long it would take to complete.
PELICAN WATERS
Marina Facility
Construction on the Pelican Waters marina is expected to be completed in March next year.
The marina consists of 125 wet berths and a boat yard with 160 boat storage spaces along with fuel, full marine services, cafe and marina member amenities.
It is being developed with joint-venture partner and marina industry expert Les Binkin.
Marina Village
Pelican Waters has gone to contract with a developer on the last two remaining commercial lots in the Marina Village.
It will deliver about 3500sq m of floor space including a medical centre, pharmacy and allied health services along with restaurants, cafes and commercial offices.
Construction is expected to commence midway through next year and be completed within six months.
The Island
The region's only waterfront display village will feature walkable foreshore, seven waterfront homes, four dry lots and a collection of terrace product.
It is due to open in March next year.
New display village attracts growing number of investors
The developer said new land releases would start soon - central park land will go on sale from mid-November and waterfront land from about March.
The Signature Terrace Collection Display Home and Sales Office is due to open in mid-November this year.
Bridge and Lock and Weir
There is less than two months before the new Michael St bridge and the lock and weir is complete.
The lock and weir will allow future residents on the canal to navigate through to the Lamerough Canal and Pumicestone Passage and ocean access.
Together, the projects cost more than $11 million.
When the lock is complete, it will service about 200 waterfront properties.
The bridge is a second access point that connects Diamond Head to the emerging Island precinct.
DIVERGING DIAMOND INTERCHANGE
A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the diverging diamond interchange was on track for completion by the end of the year.
The last two access ramps linking the interchange to the Bruce Highway, both northbound and southbound, are expected to open to traffic before Christmas.
It is part of the State and Federal government jointly funded Bruce Highway Upgrade from Caloundra Rd to Sunshine Motorway.
The project, announced in July 2018, has a revised budget of $932 million, up from the $812 million initially budgeted.
It was opened in stages over the past 12 months to fast-track construction works.
The first section opened in December last year.
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