Forest Glen sand mine site hits market with CBRE Sunshine Coast tasked with negotiating deal

A rural parcel of land once earmarked for a controversial sand mine and previously a golf course has hit the market with a multimillion-dollar deal expected.

The site of a controversial proposal for a 103ha sand mine once flagged for a golf course has hit the market as hopes grow it may end up in public hands.

The site at 758 Maroochydore Road near Kunda Park is being sold via an expressions of interest process due to run until midday on October 14, 2021.

The sprawling grazing land had once been earmarked as the new home of the Horton Park Golf Club which had been due to be relocated to the site which fronted Eudlo Flats Road, Eudlo Creek Road, Maroochydore Road and Rafting Ground Road.

The golf course relocation never eventuated but the site was the subject of controversy for several years after developers had attempted to secure approval for a sand mine and quarry operation.

The application was refused by Sunshine Coast Council and became the subject of a long-running Planning and Environment Court battle before the proponents withdrew their appeal against the refusal in mid-2020.

CBRE Sunshine Coast’s Rem Rafter and Matt Marenko had been tasked by the owners, a long-time local Sunshine Coast family, to negotiate the sale.

Spread across five separate lots the site was divided into two main land parcels separated by Eudlo Flats Road.

The rural-zoned land was able to be used for grazing, cropping, aquaculture, horticulture and other activities, as well as some non-rural activities.

It was understood figures up to $10m had been discussed in early inquiries for the property from prospective buyers.

Mr Rafter said land on the eastern side of Eudlo Flats Road could in the long-term become a development opportunity subject to approvals if it were to be included within an urban footprint in an industrial zone in the future.

The former site of a proposed sand mine at Forest Glen has hit the market.

Eudlo Creek Neighbours Inc and Stop The Maroochy Sand Mine spokesman Mike Perritt said the feedback the group had received from the community was that it would “love to see” the site purchased by the council and returned to its original state.

Mr Perritt said residents had indicated their desire to see the site become environmental land with walking tracks, educational sites and input from the local indigenous community.

Local councillor Ted Hungerford said the council’s environment levy was “fairly constrained” but said using the site as open grazing land made “a lot of sense” to him.