Public invited to comment on Maroochydore city centre

Published Friday, 31 January, 2014 at 10:00 AM

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Plans for the commercial transformation of the Maroochydore’s city centre have taken another step forward with the release for public comment of a proposed development scheme for the Sunshine Coast city.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the development scheme sets out the Queensland Government and local council’s joint vision to establish Maroochydore as a major economic and employment centre for the region.

“The Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area was declared by the State Government at the request of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in July 2013,” Mr Seeney said.

“It provides the opportunity to support economic development, build much-needed infrastructure and create a new CBD for the Sunshine Coast.

“The scheme includes opportunities for commercial, retail, mixed-use and high to medium density residential development.

“It also makes provision for new road transport, public open space, rail corridors and community facilities infrastructure necessary to service Maroochydore and reflect the regional role of the area.

“Developments like this have the potential to create hundreds of jobs during construction and more opportunities in the retail space on completion, boosting the local economy.

“We promised at the election to deliver better infrastructure and planning and this announcement fits that pledge.”

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the development of the Maroochydore City Centre will be a major boost for investment confidence in the region.

“Development of the PDA will establish Maroochydore as the pre-eminent centre for the provision of regional economic, employment and civic facilities,” Mr Jamieson said.

“The council’s $42 million investment to acquire the 53-hectare Horton Park Golf Club site will allow for the building of much needed infrastructure, enabling us to rectify current and future traffic transport issues in Maroochydore and over time, develop a civic, commercial, cultural and recreational core for the region.

“I encourage the community to have its say on the proposed development scheme for the Maroochydore City Centre, as this project will be instrumental towards building and strengthening our region.”

Planning has been carried out by Sunshine Coast Council, while Economic Development Queensland has assisted the council in preparing the proposed development scheme.

The Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area is approximately 62 hectares and encompasses council-owned landholdings, including the current site of the Horton Park Golf Club and State-owned land on Dalton Drive, Maroochydore.

The proposed development scheme for the Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area is available for review from Friday 31 January 2014 until Monday 17 March 2014.

Information displays will be held at:

  • Millwell Road Community Centre – Thursday 6 February 2014 from 7pm to 9pm
  • Sunshine Plaza – Saturday 15 February 2014 from 10am to 2pm

The proposed development scheme is available at Council’s customer service centres, Sunshine Coast libraries and the Lake Kawana Community Centre. It can also be viewed online at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and on the State Government’s website at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/maroochydore

[ENDS] 31 January 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754