25 massive development projects, proposals shaping the Sunshine Coast
From residential towers and hotels to sporting venues, a church and a water park, here are 25 of the biggest developments and proposals in the pipeline on the Sunshine Coast.
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Amid a steady-growing population on the Sunshine Coast, massive development proposals have poured in over the years to guide the region into the future.
From hospitals to housing developments, these projects are already in construction, have received a green tick of approval or are still awaiting verdict from Sunshine Coast Council.
See all the projects:
Maroochydore entertainment venue
Walker Corporation’s proposal for a 7000-seat entertainment venue with a new athlete village, hotel, arena and cultural precinct was given the green light for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in late March.
The billion-dollar proposal has been touted as a significant legacy project for the Sunshine Coast, with the Horizon Centre to integrate a mixed public and active transport system.
Walker Corporation chief executive David Gallant said he was very excited for the Sunshine Coast moving forward.
“The Maroochydore city centre for the people of the Sunshine Coast it’s terribly exciting now to have a clear picture of moving forward so we’re very excited to have contribution to the Sunshine Coast’s future,” he said.
Public transport line
Maroochydore will not receive a slice of the Sunshine Coast direct rail line, after the state government revealed its public transport plans for the region.
Instead, the state government announced “The Wave” with a the direct rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya followed by a direct metro bus hub to the Sunshine Coast Airport, through the Maroochydore CBD.
Metro infrastructure will be constructed from the Birtinya station to Maroochydore station, delivering the long-awaited Mooloolah River Interchange.
The state government would build the interchange as a priority to remove congestion and allow The Wave to carry commuters without delay.
Mega church
According to property data, the 2.33ha block at 59 Tanawha Tourist Drive was sold for $1.2m, while the 3.23ha block at 75 Tanawha Tourist Drive sold for $2.03m.
The new mega-sized church will hold nearly 800 people, according to the original plans, along with nearly 300 car spaces.
The church posted to social media earlier this month stating the new venue was expected to open in mid-2025.
Twin Waters West
The proposal for a 104ha, 450-home housing development at Pacific Paradise, dubbed Twin Waters West, was approved in December, 2023.
Plans also involved a large, man-made lake.
The development was pushed before council again in June, 2024 with hopes to make several amendments to their plans, including conditions set by council.
Mooloolaba Foreshore
The state government has committed to $20.4m in funding towards the foreshore revitalisation at Mooloolaba, delivering new parkland, improve accessibility, new coastal footpaths and meeting spaces, as well as installing public art and picnic areas with Wi-Fi and turtle safe lighting.
The revitalisation of the foreshore is also set to include the controversial seawall project, which will span 290m from the surf life saving tower ramp to the pedestrian crossing opposite Mantra Sirocco, and would be half a metre higher than the existing wall.
Yaroomba residential community
After a lengthy court battle and sale to a Victorian developer, the 18.5ha beachside site will be transformed into a gated residential community.
Dennis Family Corporation’s plans are in line with the existing 2007 Coolum Hyatt development approval, as a continuation of the Coolum Beachside Community Title Scheme.
The community will include detached houses, terrace homes and apartments.
This came after strong opposition to Sekisui House’s $900m plans for a five-star hotel and housing development, which ultimately led to the sale of the land.
Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct
Meridan Plains’ Honey Farm Road Sport Precinct received $14.4m in the Sunshine Coast Council’s 2023 budget, but construction was marked as behind schedule in council documents.
The development master plan includes sports turf and hard court playing surfaces, new recreation and event spaces, youth play spaces and running, walking, nature and cycling trails.
In January this year, stage one of the project also received $13.6m in funding from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program.
It is expected designs for stage two will be unveiled this year or in 2026.
Sunshine Coast Airport expansion
Sunshine Coast Airport achieved a major milestone in December last year with the launch of its first year-round international service to Auckland.
However, Sunshine Coast Airport chief executive Chris Mills noted the airport lacked the infrastructure needed to further expand international services.
“To unlock future international connections, Sunshine Coast Airport will need support from the federal government to construct an international facility,” Mr Mills explained.
Mr Mills said that for now, the airport’s primary focus was completing the domestic terminal works.
“When that project is complete, and if we have support from the federal government, we will be able to progress planning for international terminal works,” he said.
The airport is currently expanding its domestic terminal by 50 per cent, a project he said was designed to create a more modern, efficient, and comfortable experience for passengers.
Eumundi supermarket
Altum Property Group, the business leading Eumundi Holdings Pty Ltd, applied to establish a supermarket and specialty retail block at 10 Memorial Dr, Eumundi in February, 2022.
The matter was taken to the Planning and Environment Court for assessment in 2023 after the group lodged their application to have received a “deemed refusal” and Sunshine Coast Council could no longer impose a decision.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said the deemed refusal was lodged with the court “before council could issue a decision notice, being due on 13 September 2023”.
Director Alex Rigby said he was satisfied with the outcome when Judge Michael Williamson ultimately handed down an approval for their proposal on July 10, 2024.
The supermarket proposal received 166 submissions during its public notification period in 2022, with more than 150 supporting the plans.
Mr Rigby said the positive feedback accumulated to 95 per cent of the Eumundi community seeing a need for a supermarket.
“This will enhance convenience for Eumundi residents and its surrounding areas while potentially reducing the overall cost of living,” Mr Rigby said.
Aussie World’s water park
The Sunshine Coast could have its own big water park as part of a $60m expansion of a family favourite tourist attraction.
Aussie World in Palmview submitted a development application to Sunshine Coast Council in 2024 for a water park located north of the existing tourist attraction.
If approved, the $60m project would be built on privately-owned land and become the Sunshine Coast’s biggest water park attraction.
The proposal includes 16 water slides suitable for all ages, leisure and action pool, and several waterplay areas as well as a pool bar, sun lounges and cabanas, a souvenir shop and various food and drink shops.
It has been estimated the new addition would attract more than 780,000 visitors annually by 2031 and contribute between $15.2m and $30m to the Sunshine Coast’s tourism economy.
Diddillibah recreational hub
A huge recreational precinct complete with escape rooms, restaurant, golf driving range and more was proposed for a semirural Sunshine Coast suburb.
Project Urban lodged a development application with Sunshine Coast Council on behalf of Clark Enterprises No. 2 Pty Ltd to build an indoor and outdoor sport and recreation development with restaurant, craft distillery and function facility.
The proposed 29.9ha site located at 76 David Low Way, Diddillibah is described in application documents as vacant grazing land with agricultural pursuits known as Diddillibah Farm.
Planned recreational facilities include a miniature golf course and driving range, padel tennis and pickleball courts, escape rooms and a single-storey clubhouse featuring a restaurant, bar, craft distillery and function facility.
The miniature course will provide an 18-hole putt-putt area and the padel tennis courts are intended to cater to the growing popularity of the sport.
A playground has also been implemented into designs to contribute to the “family-oriented nature”.
Gagalba, Caloundra South
More than 900 new homes will be delivered to a new Sunshine Coast suburb after state government approval was handed down for the $270m precinct.
The new residential precinct of Stockland Aura’s community at Gagalba was approved by Economic Development Queensland after an amended development application was lodged in April, 2024.
The approved stage of Gagalba, known as the Pumicestone Precinct or sub-precinct 18.1, will deliver up to 918 new homes, with an expectancy to encompass 6000 homes between lakes, wetlands and green spaces upon the completion of the suburb.
The 74ha Pumicestone Precinct will include a neighbourhood centre offering a retail and commercial area, childcare centre, sports park and state primary school alongside a civic park for gatherings and events.
Upon completion, the precinct will offer two choices of state primary schools and one state high school for future residents.
Plans to deliver the next phase were then revealed in early 2025, promising almost 3000 homes.
Urbis Ltd pitched a development application to Economic Development Queensland on behalf of Stockland Development for approval to develop the second phase of land release in the new suburb of Gagalba.
Application documents stated the proposal to establish the residential community would include up to 2829 homes, as predominantly detached dwellings, across 172 stages of development.
It is intended to build a large district centre and neighbourhood centre alongside other community services including a private school, state high school and primary school and recreational and sports parks to serve community needs.
Maroochy Private Hospital
Construction started in 2023 on a “state-of-the-art” private hospital at the new Maroochydore City Centre.
The $100m Maroochy Private Hospital located at Mundoo Blvd is expected to be completed this year to provide “world class medical services” to the Maroochydore and wider region.
Delivered by Barwon Investment Partners and Sunshine Coast Specialist Hospital Development, the tenants will include the University of the Sunshine Coast and global orthopaedic company Medacta.
The hospital will focus on musculoskeletal conditions among other specialist and healthcare services as well as pain management, sports medicine and Allied Health.
Established to be an education, research and clinical care facility, the hospital will also have high-end amenities and working spaces, and a rooftop staff relaxation area.
McNab, the builder behind the $100 million Maroochy Private Hospital, has recently celebrated a major milestone with the project officially topping out, bringing the Sunshine Coast one step closer to much-needed expanded healthcare capacity.
Sippy Downs private day hospital
Plans to build a private hospital in a rapidly growing Sunshine Coast suburb were approved by Sunshine Coast Council in 2024.
“I am excited to see the project come to life, it will be great for the area and the Coast,” NeuBau Group director Tim Reed said.
When first pitched in 2023, Mr Reed said it was expected the entire development could be worth between $60m-$70m, creating 200 or more new jobs.
The development application proposes a four-storey building on Central Dr which would feature an “integrated commercial and health care development” with a “contemporary, subtropical aesthetic” design in the fast-growing university town.
Shopping precincts at Aura
A new commercial precinct featuring a “village heart” has been proposed for a vacant block within the Aura Business Park at Caloundra South.
Evolve Planning lodged a development application on behalf of Stockland Development Pty Ltd with Economic Planning Queensland to establish a business park in Baringa featuring 14 lots for predominantly commercial and office uses.
Documents show the proposal includes a central “village heart” to provide a meeting place for workers and patrons.
This features green space, food premises, shops, offices, co-working spaces and access to a childcare centre and a fitness facility.
Sunshine Coast’s Aura masterplanned community will be home to an expansive 18,000sq m large-format retail precinct, set to redefine shopping and lifestyle options in the area.
The Aura Home + Life project will be delivered by a $65m investment by Canberra-based Capital Property Group and will cater to the community’s growing needs by offering home and lifestyle tenants including electrical goods, furniture, pet supplies, homewares, automotive and recreational products.
It will occupy the site on the corner of Graf Drive and Aura Boulevard, adjacent to the Aura Business Park.
A first look at the development application for what is set to be a massive city centre on the Sunshine Coast has been revealed ahead of construction in the new master planned community.
The development application is for the Aura town centre, part of the much larger Aura city centre precinct.
It is set to be the commercial, hospitality, and retail heart of the Aura community.
Spanning 16,145sq m, stage one will include a mix of supermarkets, specialty retail, dining, entertainment and healthcare services.
The Calile Hotel Noosa
Brisbane’s award-winning Calile Hotel will soon have a sister venue in Noosa, with plans for the new luxury resort approved by Sunshine Coast Council in 2024.
The 2.4 hectare site located along Serenity Cl in the tourism hotspot underwent two years of community consultations.
Designed by acclaimed architects Richards & Spence, responsible for the Fortitude Valley property, the new resort hidden among bushland will feature 153 rooms, 29 suites and four three-bedroom villas.
It will also include a 50m main swimming pool, plus a second quiet pool in a private garden, comprehensive wellness facilities and function spaces.
All hotel rooms will be significantly larger than its James St sibling, with a standard room starting at 45m2.
Surf Farm development
New changes for a planned huge surf park development on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast were recently given the green tick.
Craig Morrison’s development entails plans to build a surf park on a 13.433ha block at 22 and 24 Johnston Rd, Glass House Mountains near the Bruce Highway.
Connor O’Meara Solicitors lodged the latest application to the Planning and Environment Court on behalf of Surf Farm Pty Ltd on December 20, 2024 and the proposed changes were approved early into 2025.
These changes include the relocation and slight reduction in size of the wave pool as well as the removal of a smaller paddle pool.
It is also intended to relocate the car park, manoeuvring and service areas, boosting the number of car spaces from 104 to 114.
Documents show the allocation of floor space to several commercial and administrative buildings, including the bar and kitchen, ticketing booth and retail, hire and foyer space.
$220m residential towers in Maroochydore
Walker Corporation lodged its application with Economic Development Queensland to build the set of two towers alongside a three-storey building in the Maroochydore CBD.
The application outlines plans for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation, office space and food, bar and shop premises at the 6715sq m site at First Ave and Future Way in the Maroochydore City Centre.
Documents list the total cost of the project to come to $220m.
If approved, the residential towers would offer 251 homes, 2162sq m of retail space and 382 car parks across the site.
Documents show the apartments will be split into 55 one-bedroom units, 111 two-bedroom, 80 three-bedroom — including 11 townhouses — and five four-bedroom units.
Kings Beach apartment complex
Project Urban lodged a development application on behalf of Kings Beach Sands Pty Ltd for a 23-unit apartment complex at 19 and 21 Verney St, Kings Beach.
The company is spearheaded by Troy Barnes and Matthew Bond from the Brisbane-based Citimax Property Group.
Mr Barnes said the complex would consist of three and four-bedroom apartments intended to accommodate young families, downsizers and holiday makers.
Floor plans included in the application showed the apartments would range between 103 and 174sq m.
Birtinya residential tower
The developer behind a large-scale housing project in Birtinya submitted fresh designs for a 78-unit residential tower to the Sunshine Coast Council last year.
The developer, Habitat Development Group Pty Ltd, was first granted approval by the council in 2022 to construct a large-scale housing development overlooking Lake Kawana.
In 2024, the developer submitted updated designs showing plans for 78 residential units comprising of two-, three- and four-bedroom layouts spread across an individual eight-storey apartment tower.
The planning report stated there would be three commercial tenancies available on the ground floor for retail outlets and restaurants.
Golden Beach unit complex
Project Urban lodged a development application with Sunshine Coast Council on behalf of Centro Concepts to build a set of 23 units at Golden Beach.
Application documents show the two lots at 27 and 29 Taylor Ave, Golden Beach would be transformed into a five-storey apartment complex if plans are approved.
The 1214sq m site currently holds two houses situated in a medium density residential zone in proximity to the Esplanade and within walking distance to schools and other public open spaces.
Floorplans show between one and three-bedroom units will be offered, each with an adjoining 12sq m or larger private balcony.
The complex will also offer a pool, gym and seating area for residents, documents show.
The proposal includes two basement levels encompassing 38 parking spaces.
Paloma Paloma site, Caloundra
New plans to build a set of apartment towers on a prime Caloundra site were revealed earlier this year, about three years after existing buildings were painted neon orange to attract attention.
A proposal to build two residential towers with commercial spaces at the Paloma Paloma site at 1-9 Bulcock Street and 45-47 Bombala Terrace, Caloundra has been lodged to Sunshine Coast Council by Urban Strategies on behalf of Bulcock Projects Pty Ltd.
Application documents detail the plans to build 179 units across two towers, with five commercial tenancies in a one or two-storey podium.
Uses for offices, health care services and food and drink outlets have also been listed.
Documents show a terrace space, pool, barbecues, dining seating areas, gymnasium and function room will also be available to residents and visitors.
The Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra
A major global accommodation chain revealed plans in 2024 to build a 160-room hotel equipped with a rooftop restaurant and sky bar in a local coastal suburb.
The Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra will feature 160 hotel rooms, including 33 suites and all-day restaurant and lobby cafe located at 51-55 Bulcock St.
The Caloundra development will mark the 10th Queensland hotel for the company and the second for the Sunshine Coast region following the opening of Holiday Inn Maroochydore.
According to IHG the development is expected to open in early 2028.
As of early April, 2025, the development is still awaiting approval from Sunshine Coast Council.
Caloundra resort complex
Plans for a 27m high boutique resort complex have been revealed for a site in Caloundra, with interest from an international brand to manage the “first-class” hotel.
Project Urban have lodged a development application with Sunshine Coast Council on behalf of 5ive Co to build a resort complex at 31 Esplanade Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.
The 635sq m site is currently occupied by a two-storey house in a tourist accommodation zone, with various apartment and resort style developments in proximity.
Application documents show the “boutique” hotel will offer 77 rooms with a rooftop reception and communal area.
The documents include a letter of interest addressed to 5ive Co director Jamie Baldwin from hotel brand Marriott International to operate a “first-class” hotel on a 25-year agreement.
The letter from the hotel brand describes itself as “the world’s largest hotel company” with 9000 properties across 30 brands in 141 countries.
Voco Maroochydore
Designs for the luxury apartment tower, Voco Maroochydore, were submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council last week by developer IHG Hotels and Resorts in partnership with the Sydney-based Felix Capital.
If given the green light, the development will include a 140-seat speciality restaurant and a 65-seat lobby bar, as well as a “picturesque podium-level outdoor pool, spa and sauna”.
A ballroom to cater up to 250 people and a separate all-day dining restaurant to seat 130 people are also shown in design plans.
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