Sunshine Coast Council urged to approve Maroochydore development

Plans for more than 100 units to be built on prominent block in a fast-growing Sunshine Coast suburb will go before council next week, despite strong backlash from the local community.

Sunshine Coast Council encouraged to approve controversial Wises Farm development plans.

Plans for more than 100 units to be built on a prominent block in a fast-growing Sunshine Coast suburb will go before council next week, despite strong backlash from the local community.

The Sunshine Coast Council’s ordinary meeting agenda, published on Tuesday, revealed the council officers’ recommendations for the 116-unit development planned for Wises Farm in Maroochydore.

The property owner, Living Choice Australia Pty Ltd, bought the block from the Wise family in 2001.

The currently vacant site at Sunrise Dr spans more than 8000 sq metres, with frontage to both Amity Ave and Somerton Dr.

The residential unit block designs have been reduced from the initially-proposed six-storeys to four, according to the town planning report.

The report included in the council’s meeting agenda states a number of fees would be due to the council, if the project were to go ahead.

“In the event of an approval, Infrastructure Charges would be applicable to the proposed development in accordance with the Wises Farm Infrastructure Agreement for the parks network of $326,691,” the report to council stated.

“A further review of a contribution towards the road network will be required to establish the current vehicle trips/day. The current trip/day contribution is $586.50.”

The latest plans for the unit development show the buildings would reach four-storeys rather than six-storeys.

In the meeting report, council officers recommended the development be approved despite strong opposition from more than 90 submissions.

“A total of 100 submissions were received, of which 85 were determined to be ‘properly made’ in accordance with the Planning Act 2016. Of the total submissions made, three submissions identified their support for the proposal and 93 submissions identified their objection to the proposal (with two neutral and two unsure),” the report stated.

Sunshine Coast Council encouraged to approve controversial Wises Farm development plans.

One submission made outlined concerns about traffic and road safety for pedestrians in the area if the development was to go ahead in its current design.

“These factors would increase the potential for conflicts and collisions between different road users, such as vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and wildlife,” the submission stated.

“They would also reduce the road safety and amenity for the residents and visitors of the development and the surrounding area.”

The council’s ordinary meeting is set to take place on June 19, 2025.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council urged to approve Maroochydore development