Caloundra businesses and homes affected by Third Ave upgrade to be forcibly sold to council

Businesses and homes will be forcibly sold as council pushes ahead with a major road upgrade throughout suburban Caloundra areas.

The Hub Caloundra owner Jill Brealey (second right), pictured with business owners Kerry Clouston, Donna Odell and Nicole Waddel, says her business would be one of many to go under plans for a major road upgrade at Third Avenue.

The Sunshine Coast Council has been accused of using “cowboy antics” and being “underhanded” as it moves to forcefully acquire more than a dozen businesses and homes to make way for a major road upgrade.

A petition to downscale the Caloundra road upgrade, which would see Oval Avenue turned into a four-lane thoroughfare, has gained about 800 signatures.

It said the upgrade posed risks to the environment and would affect a community hub, sports facility and aged care providers and leave many businesses in limbo.

However the council has told the Daily the upgrade was fundamental to reducing congestion at the Caloundra Road and Nicklin Way roundabout

Coworking space The Hub at 21 Oval Avenue is among the affected commercial properties but owner Jill Brealey said it remained unclear how long they had left.

The $37.8m project was designed over eight years and aimed to reduce congestion at the Caloundra Road and Nicklin Way roundabout.

Last month the council voted in favour of compulsory acquisitions for the remaining 12 affected properties.

The project would provide a new connection from Nicklin Way, north of the Caloundra roundabout, to the city centre.

It involves widening Oval Avenue and Third Avenue from two to four lanes and connecting Oval Avenue with Omrah Avenue.

Ms Brealey said the coworking space was home to nine businesses, including a handful of hairdressers as well as Malarkey Artisan Coffee.

she said she worked for years to create the unique and inviting space and feared it could not be recreated elsewhere.

“The way the salon works is unique, we all work together and for them to rent a space separately would be a lot more expensive,” Ms Brealey said.

“They basically rent a chair and we share the space and work the days that we need to.

“For me I’m looking at retiring in six years and this was my way of having a passive income and still being able to do a little bit of hairdressing and be creative.

“Long-term this was going to be the perfect lifestyle for me.

“It’s heartbreaking … the cost of redoing this again is just out of our reach.”

First National Caloundra director Michael Kettle’s real estate firm of 13 years would also need to be relocated.

The council first approached the 20 affected residential and commercial properties in early 2019 and since then have purchased eight.

The council would not reveal how much was spent, however, the Daily identified sales records for seven of the eight properties that showed the purchases cost a combined $4.32m.

Mr Kettle said he refused the council’s offer in 2019 because he did not agree with the valuation.

He said when taking into account relocation costs he would have been $100,000 out of pocket.

“It has been totally underhanded,” Mr Kettle said.

“They were using out of line valuations, they were not taking into account the sales in the area.”

Mr Kettle said the compulsory acquisition process would be better.

“Now it goes under state government law for acquisitions … which is more transparent and appropriate as opposed to these cowboy antics,” he said.

Plans for the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade.

A council spokesman said acquisitions were based on advice from experienced consultants.

It is understood that resumptions cost was on top of the $23.8m the council is expected to spend on the roadworks.

“Council attempts to reach negotiated settlements with all affected interest holders,” the council spokesman said.

“The individual agreements with landowners are confidential and terms of any settlements are confidential.

“Council has a responsibility to ratepayers to ensure the valuation process and any settlement is fair and reasonable.”

Ms Brealey said she and other affected residents were calling on the council to reconsider the design.

Almost 800 people have signed a petition against the road upgrade.

“We want a compromise, what’s wrong with two lanes?” Ms Brealey said.

The council spokesman said the upgrade was fundamental to reducing congestion.

He said it would also improve safety and for public transport users, cyclists and pedestrians and motorists.

Originally published as Caloundra businesses and homes affected by Third Ave upgrade to be forcibly sold to council