Consultation underway on Forest Glen Village Centre plans

Sunshine Coast locals are to have their say on reworked plans for a new shopping centre that defies the area’s planning scheme.

Stage 2 of the new Forest Glen Village Centre project opened in November 2022.

A local Sunshine Coast community is able to share their thoughts on amended plans for a large village development, expanding the possible services to include a microbrewery, child care or car wash.

The updated plans for the Forest Glen Village Centre were submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council in December 2024, with the proposal outlining a reconfiguration of the development’s layout.

The revised precinct plan, submitted by the developer, accepts there are “inconsistencies” with the development and the local planning scheme.

The council granted the development preliminary approval in April 2021, according to the planning report.

The village development will include a new road and three main buildings for retail and medical establishments spread across the 5ha property, bordered by Grammar School Way and Mons Rd.

The Forest Glen Village Centre could soon accommodate a child care centre and microbrewery.

The amended plans seek to gain approval for one precinct to include possible uses as a child care and an educational establishment as well as a microbrewery or car wash.

If approved, the planning report claimed the additional uses would not result in “any greater impact” to neighbouring properties, further arguing the nearby Sunshine Coast Grammar School would benefit from child care services in proximity.

“The adjoining Sunshine Coast Grammar School has a student body of over 1200, from prep to grade 12 plus a childcare centre that is at full capacity, and has successfully operated since 1997,” the planning report states.

“The school has, however, recently reported a significant demand for childminding facilities, which cannot be catered for by the existing on-campus Childcare centre, which has a lengthy waiting list.”

A submission made by the Sunshine Coast Grammar School business manager outlined the school’s support for the village development, on the condition pedestrian access be removed.

“The removal of the nominated pedestrian access route from Village Centre Way to Grammar School Way through Lot 22 is suitable, when considering that there is already a functioning pedestrian access that connects Village Centre Way to the school, north of the roundabout,” the school’s response stated.

Public submission on the development proposal are set to close on May 30, 2025.

Originally published as Consultation underway on Forest Glen Village Centre plans