REVEALED: Surf ranch boss explains details for 510ha site

The man behind the push for a $1.1 billion surf ranch at Coolum has released how the proposed development will balance the books to deliver the state-of-the-art project

Kelly Slater surfs a wave at the Surf Ranch during the Breitling Summit in Lemoore, California. Plans are under way to bring the experience to Coolum. Photo: Getty Images

THE man behind the push for a $1.1 billion Surf Ranch at Coolum has released how the proposed development will balance the books to deliver the state-of-the-art project.

General manager of World Surf League Co Australia, Asia and Oceania, Andrew Stark, was on the Coast yesterday to meet with members of the Coolum surfing community.

Before that meeting he sat down with the Sunshine Coast Daily to unveil more detailed information on the company's plans for the 510ha site, west of the Sunshine Motorway.

Mr Stark said massive plans to accompany the Surf Ranch facility and turn "ugly cane land" into a "thriving community" were in the pipeline.

The entire project's star is the Surf Ranch, which is expected to cost in the vicinity of $100m.

The ranch will then be complemented by a 5-6 star eco-resort, a second 3-4 star resort, a farm-to-plate food and beverage experience, environmental centre, retail village, school, a community and sports centre, an outdoor entertainment venue and a residential development which, depending on approvals, could include canal living.

Mr Stark said the idea was not just to turn the area into a tourist destination, but a thriving community the Coast could be proud of.

He said 75 per cent of the site would be public space or given back to the environment in the way of wetlands to keep with the Surf Ranch's environmental philosophy.

The remaining 25 per cent, or about 127ha, would be developed, with areas filled to meet the one-in-100 year flood level mark.

The company has no high-rise developments planned for the site, with buildings to a maximum of three storeys.

"Nothing will be higher than a palm tree," Mr Stark said.

"There is no interest in high-rise, we want to fit in with the natural environment.

"Bring the property to life."

Questioned about the number of residential and canal blocks that would be part of the development, Mr Stark said that all depended on development approval.

"A development the scale of the Surf Ranch doesn't happen by itself,' Mr Stark said.

"It needs a broader development.

"It all anchors around the Surf Ranch facility and the other community and retail assets bring it to life, makes it viable."

Mr Stark will be a guest speaker at the Future Tourism event on Tuesday, October 8. To buy tickets, click here.

Originally published as REVEALED: Surf ranch boss explains details for 510ha site