18 biggest Sunshine Coast development projects coming in 2023 | List
Council received almost 2000 development applications this year, with a group of momentous projects set to transform the region in 2023. Check out what’s coming next year.
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It’s been another busy year in the development world on the Sunshine Coast, with 1980 applications lodged with council in 2022.
We’ve narrowed down some of the biggest projects, from wave parks to luxury waterfront apartments and up-market supermarkets.
Take a look at the 18 major developments set for the new year below:
Pelican Waters IGA
The developer of a new “up-market” shopping complex revealed how the $10m development will service the changing demographic of one of the Sunshine Coast’s fastest-growing suburbs.
Approved by council in May, the 1240sq m proposed Seasons IGA will adjoin the new Pelican Waters Marina and be adjacent to the Marina Village development which includes a medical practice, allied health services, shops and restaurants.
As a Pelican Waters resident himself developer Grant Kennedy of Kennedy Property Group said the store would fill a gap in the market for higher-quality produce and become a “huge asset” to the waterfront suburb.
“They will be excited to not have to do that commute to get the better style of produce,” he said.
Construction will commence straight away and is set for completion to hopefully be completed by the end of 2022.
Mr Kennedy said there would be approximately 60 staff at the new IGA store.
15-storey office tower, Maroochydore
A major development firm has received the tick of approval for a luxurious office tower at the Maroochydore CBD expected to attract big businesses and government departments to the city centre.
Billionaire property mogul Lang Walker’s development firm Walker Corporation expects to start construction within months on its first office tower in the CBD.
The 15-storey building at 50 First Ave was expected to attract ASX-listed companies, as well as government, banking, insurance and technology sector tenants.
The proposal includes large, 1000sq m floor plates designed to lure in big business.
It would also feature an enclosed rooftop level, as well as a high-ceiling entry lobby and cafe.
The deal with Sunshine Coast Council was expected to inject $2.5bn worth of investment into the project.
Cabana apartments
A six-unit luxury apartment development earmarked for a popular Sunshine Coast beachfront suburb has sold out in two days.
The plans for Cabana Apartments at Cotton Tree were recently approved by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council after the application was lodged back in December 2021.
Developer Steve Cole said he would be keeping two of the units, with the other four already sold off the plans for upwards of $2m each in just two days.
Mr Cole said he wasn’t expecting the units to sell as quickly as they did and said he hardly had to advertise the apartments which all sold prior to construction starting.
Location was another major drawcard for buyers, with Cabana sitting a street back from the Maroochy River and the Cotton Tree Esplanade.
Mr Cole said construction would be starting late 2022 with completion expected in 2023.
Mulu apartments
The popular seaside suburb of Mooloolaba has been earmarked for a new four-storey complex of 10 units and two commercial spaces that will feature subtropical architecture and green spaces.
The proposed development, lodged on behalf of Brett McAlister from BAM Property Group Pty, was approved by Sunshine Coast Regional Council on December 15, 2022.
Mulu will comprise of two commercial tenancies located on the ground floor orientated towards Brisbane Rd and 10 dwelling units between levels 1-3.
The units, spanning 177sq m, will be a variety of two and three-bedroom configurations, with 19 carparking spaces included in the design for residents, guests, employees and visitors.
River Pearl apartments
Council gave the tick of approval in December 2022 for 15 luxury riverfront apartments in Maroochydore.
The two and three-bedroom units will be located at 189 Bradman Ave on the banks of the Maroochy River.
According to their website, River Pearl will capture the essence of waterfront living and has been designed to suit a life of luxury with contemporary finishes and neutral tones.
Being developed by The Forrester Group, construction is due to start late 2022, with completion expected around 15 months from commencement.
Verre Caloundra
A $110m high-end apartment and retail precinct has been given the green light with the development touted to transform the Caloundra CBD.
Henzell Property Group’s plans for Verre Caloundra lifestyle precinct received Sunshine Coast Council approval last month.
The project would feature 70 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses over two nine-storey towers above a boutique laneway precinct with a cafe, restaurant and medical offices.
Henzell Property Group managing director Mclean Henzell said the company was excited to get the green light for the “unique arrival experience” for Caloundra.
Henzell Property Group said they aimed to start construction back in October 2022.
The Paddington’s, Maroochydore
An interstate duo is transforming a house at a Sunshine Coast beach suburb into a stunning, five-storey apartment complex.
The Sunshine Coast Council approved a development application in October for a nine-unit, five-level project at 21 Wright St, Maroochydore, owned by New South Wales residents Paul and Juliet Brady.
The 607sq m project – dubbed The Paddington’s – is about 15m high and made up of nine two-level apartments, comprising a one-bedroom unit, five two-bedroom units, and three three-bedroom units.
The upcoming complex, designed by Sunshine Coast architect company Sprout Architects, has a motorbike park, about 13 car parks, and 16 bicycle parks.
The property will undergo a major transformation given the owners purchased the property with a single-story house for $570,000 in 2017.
23 apartments, Kings Beach
A development at 37 Moreton Pde, Kings Beach was approved with conditions on December 16, 2022.
The development application that was submitted back in May 2021 includes 23 three-bedroom apartments over seven storeys.
The two lots that the building will be built on amount to 1,220sq m and will include 45 carparking spaces.
The proposal was submitted on behalf of Citimax 3 Pty Ltd, directed by Troy Barnes and Matthew Bond.
KFC, Baringa
The proposal for a KFC and car wash to be built at Aura Boulevard and Farmer Crescent, Baringa, gained Economic Development Queensland approval on September 15, 2022.
Green Cape 6881 lodged the application which revealed plans to build the fast food restaurant with a drive-through and 18 car parks.
It is among several fast food giant chains in the pipeline for the growing community with a material change of use application also received two months ago for an Oporto, Caffe Aurora and Pizza Hut.
EG Asiapac Ventures was behind the proposal for the fast food restaurants and service station at Aura Boulevard, Baringa.
Paid parking complex, Maroochydore
Work started in 2022 on the Maroochydore CBD’s first multi-deck car park with Sunshine Coast Council already allocating $13m towards the project.
State government approval was granted in December 2021 for the 350-space paid parking facility to join the growing number of office spaces and hotel complexes being built in the 53ha CBD.
CBD developer Walker Corporation lodged planning documents but the project already has council funding allocated with $13m promised in the 2021-22 budget.
However a council spokesman confirmed the final cost would only be known once tenders for design and construction were completed.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said it would be the first of a number of multi-deck car parks at the city centre.
The car park will be located on Lightning Lane, adjacent to Foundation Place which features Market Lane and Giddy Geisha restaurants.
It will have 294 car spaces, including electric vehicle charging spaces, 56 motorcycle, 28 bicycle spaces and ground level retail spaces.
18 units, Nambour
A multimillion-dollar apartment project for 18 units and an office at 11 Sydney St in Nambour is set to be completed in 2023.
The project was given council approval and includes three units with one bedroom and the rest with two bedrooms.
It also features secure basement parking, lift access and a 60sq m office space.
Image Projects Group managing director Ryan Veitch said he felt Nambour was ready for that style of development and he hoped it would invigorate the special entertainment precinct designated in the Nambour CBD – one of only two in Queensland.
Mr Veitch said the new project at Nambour CBD’s highest point would be worth about $7m when the value of the property and construction were taken into account.
BokBeach Corner, Bokarina
The Sunshine Coast is set to welcome a new foodie hub, complete with restaurants, cafes, a butcher, artisan coffee roaster, gourmet deli and market.
BokBeach Corner will open in Bokarina and is from the developer behind popular Gold Coast dining and shopping precinct Capri on Via Roma, Simon Harvey of Beaugroup.
Food market Greensmith Grocers has been locked in as the site’s providore, opening a sister store to its Birtinya location in the new development, specialising in organic fare from fruit and veg to pre-made meals, pasta, pantry lines, teas, beauty products and more.
Construction of the culinary spaces is due to start late 2022.
Surf Parks Australia’s wave park, Glass House Mountains
A young Sunshine Coast businessman’s wave pool project at Glass House Mountains has been granted council approval.
It will be built on a 13ha block of former pineapple farm land and has received plenty of interest with 958 submissions lodged on the application – the majority in support.
Sunshine Coast property developer and Surf Parks Australia chief executive Craig Morrison is behind the estimated $30m surf park.
It has also been subjected to criticism from rival wave pool developer Sanad Capital, who also plan to build a similar tourist attraction on the Sunshine Coast (featured below).
The park will offer one-hour sessions with 50 surfers in the water at a time.
The proposal includes the wave park, a wellness centre for yoga and meditation, paddock to plate food and beverage and ocean and marine protection education.
Sanad Capital’s wave pool, Glenview
Sanad Capital has handed infrastructure plans to Sunshine Coast Council for its $130m tourist attraction and resort development with water park and wave pool at Steve Irwin Way, Glenview.
The development which was approved in early 2020 includes the Actventure waterpark, a “multi-generational” tourism resort called Invigorate and the Endless Surf wave pool.
It also includes earth and civil works, carparking, vegetation clearing and stormwater infrastructure.
The water park will feature a host of free fall, raft and tube slides up to 14m high and 25 thrilling rides – some not seen before in Australia.
Stage one includes the 160-villa family resort, called Invigorate, the water park and retail with dining and a microbrewery.
Stage two, which could open in early 2024, included the eastern carpark, main entrance, ticketing booths, administration areas, retail shops, food and drink outlets and more.
Wedding venue, Kiels Mountain
A rustic wedding venue and glamping site 15 minutes from Maroochydore has received the tick of approval despite strong objections from neighbours.
Sunshine Coast Council says 59 conditions placed on the approval for the 426 and 430 Kiel Mountain Rd development will address noise and amenity concerns while allowing Julusa Valley to open a new wedding venue.
Councillors voted unanimously in support of the approval at the July, 2022, ordinary meeting despite 144 of the 393 submissions received being against it.
Under the conditions only 100 guests would be allowed at functions and they would have to end at 10pm.
It would host one event a week, with a maximum of 40 a year, and venue doors and windows would need to be shut during amplified music.
Service station, Moffat Beach
The owner of a Sunshine Coast service station can go ahead with a planned redevelopment for a 24-hour 7 Eleven at a beachside suburb.
The Planning and Environment Court this year found in Ashanti Logistics’ favour in its dispute against Sunshine Coast Council over its Moffat Beach redevelopment.
The company argued against a council condition that restricted opening hours to 7am-10pm and instead wanted to open 24 hours.
The project had received community backlash with residents writing in objection to it ahead of the council’s decision.
The Roderick St site has had a service station since 1958 with the current facility built in 1975.
Ashanti Logistics wants to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a modern service station building with the proposed tenant a 7-Eleven.
Orthodontic surgery
An application was approved in April for a mixed-use development including a medical surgery, eight units and a cafe.
Submitted on behalf of Sunshine Coast orthodontist Dr Vas Srinivasan, the development proposal was put under public notification for being “inconsistent” with the site’s zoning of Medium Density Residential under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.
Dr Srinivasan already owns Invisible Orthodontics at the 64 Nicklin Way site which he wants to redevelop and double in size, and also build an eight-unit apartment block and a food outlet on neighbouring blocks.
According to the application, the expanded orthodontic surgery will include a reception, two exam rooms, two consulting rooms and a staff recreation area.
The food and drink outlet would front the corner of Nicklin Way and Sunbird Chase and feature an upper level terrace area for dining.
Childcare centre, Sippy Downs
Construction can now commence on a new 44-place boutique kindergarten and adjoining health centre by prominent developers.
The development application was approved by council in December for the 4448sq m centre located opposite Evans Long’s existing Sippy Downs Early Learning Centre which opened in 2020.
Evans Long director Matthew Evans said the $5.5m centre on Fairfax St would cater for older children about to transition into Prep.
Mr Evans hoped the spare tenancy would be filled by a paediatric or child-focused health or education tenant.
The proposed building consists of an administration office and the shop tenancy downstairs, with two educational rooms holding a total of 44 children upstairs.
Mr Evans said the “pretty special” design included an open-air play area and large windows to allow natural light in the classrooms.
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