Maroochydore new hub of Coast
Mon 28 April 2008
Carolyn Garner, Journalism
Watch out Mooloolaba, Maroochydore is fast preparing itself to rival Mooloolaba’s world-famous dining, entertainment and retail culture.
Maroochydore’s $5 billion development plans will give it a much needed face-lift, as it attempts to become the leading metropolis of the Sunshine Coast.
The plans will take about 10 years to complete, but the initial stages have already started to unfold with Wises Road’s 8.6 ha. commercial development well underway.
Harvey Norman has jumped on the bandwagon as its 5 ha. site on Wises Farm undergoes development. The $80million commitment from Harvey Norman includes plans to build 30,000m2 of commercial showrooms and 4000m2 of office space.
Harvey Norman plans to erect its largest showroom in Queensland on the lot and the high-profile retailer’s commitment has already enticed other businesses to follow their lead.
The Coast’s largest shopping centre, The Sunshine Plaza, is also set to expand, with international property giants, Lend Lease’s proposal of a $240 million addition to the lucrative centre. The expansion is set to undertake development later this year with a two-storey addition replacing the area known as Plaza Parade. Lend Lease’s Queensland Development manager told the Sunshine Coast Daily it will add 17,000sq m of retail space (100 new shops) to the existing 74,000sq m on the Sunshine Plaza site. The project will also include construction of a multi-level car park, with 1400 spaces.
The recent and future retail developments complement the refurbishment of Maroochydore’s dining and residential precinct. Maroochydore’s Duporth Avenue has been regenerated with the development of various fine and casual dining outlets, with the retail sector bound to generate even more appeal for the booming area.
Developers also have plans to revamp the Big Top Shopping Centre with preliminary plans to open it up more and utilise its waterfront location.
Locals are basking in the idea of change and redevelopment of the greater Maroochydore area.
“I’m excited about the development, we have seen how Mooloolaba has changed and improved over the years, and at first people were scared about losing its character, now we can’t imagine life before the developments along the front,” Maroochydore local of 22 years Cathy Scotland said.
“It will be good to have everything all together and easily accessible… it is really nice to see new buildings and shops. It is definitely time for a revamp,” another local, Kat Cooke said.
The vehicular connection to Maroochydore via the Sunshine Motorway off ramp, which was completed last year, was hailed as a way to “improve connectivity within Maroochy ensuring the growth of the CBD precinct,” by Reed Property group, who is investing about $1.6 billion into the Maroochydore area.
The economic and employment benefits of these developments are proving very favourable for the Sunshine Coast’s economy. The Sunshine Plaza’s expansion comes with a projected assurance of 1400 jobs during construction and 850 direct retail jobs upon completion, with a multiplier effect of 6000 jobs in the wider community.
Reed Property Group have said that Maroochydore’s Harvey Norman complex will be providing numerous employment and economic benefits for the broader community.
After years of inaction, talks and preparation, plans are finally starting to unveil as Maroochydore’s CBD becomes the Sunshine Coasts leading precinct.
Image(s) designed by Carolyn Garner