Masterplan Milestones with SunCentral
The Maroochydore City Centre is rapidly evolving into a vibrant hub of activity. Deb Caruso uncovers the latest milestones and visionary masterplan for the future.
Anchored by technology and innovation, Maroochydore City Centre is reshaping the region with a vibrant masterplan for a future that is firmly focused on creating a place for the people.
Delivered as a partnership between Sunshine Coast Council, SunCentral Maroochydore and Walker Corporation, the $2.5 billion, 53-hectare project is the largest greenfield city centre site in the country and as the latest milestones are celebrated, SunCentral CEO Amanda Yeates paints a picture of progress and collaboration.
“If you haven’t visited Maroochydore City Centre in a while, you’ll notice the skyline has changed quite a bit,” she says pointing to cranes marking the sites of the new Maroochy Private Hospital and Walker’s first premium commercial building, 50 First Avenue.
“What sets this project apart is its ability to thrive in a challenging market,” she said, citing the recent completion of The Corso Residential Apartments by Habitat Development Group, one month ahead of schedule, as testament to this resilience.
“This milestone brings 300 new residents and a new energy into the area,” she said.
“Few city centres can boast being just a kilometre from the beach to offer a work environment where lifestyle and productivity can thrive together. It’s a powerful attraction for businesses and employees.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said that more than a decade ago, Sunshine Coast Council envisioned a futuristic city centre, which was now coming to life with completed buildings, cranes in the sky and construction well underway.
“Maroochydore City Centre is a beacon of commercial confidence in our region, attracting more businesses and creating thousands of local jobs,” Mayor Natoli said.
“The new Maroochydore City Centre masterplan has been unveiled, showcasing Australia’s largest greenfield CBD.
“Over the next 15-20 years, the city centre will accommodate 10,000 residents, 4,000 new residential apartments, 240,000 sqm of commercial and retail space, a 6.5-hectare centralised waterway, and more than 10 hectares of open space and parkland.
“The city centre will continue to thrive with the construction of the $100 million Maroochy Private Hospital and 50 First Avenue, which will bring world-class services and commercial office space.
“These projects will deliver outstanding sustainability credentials, further driving growth opportunities for our CBD.”
Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant says 50 First Avenue is making great progress, and is set to become the Sunshine Coast’s most sustainable commercial address.
“The arrival of the city’s tallest tower crane is symbolic of the progress we are making to bring premium commercial towers with outstanding amenity and sustainability to the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Gallant said.
“Lang Walker’s vision was to deliver the same quality of our Parramatta Square, Collins Square and Festival Tower precincts to Maroochydore, which in turn will attract Australia’s top businesses and government agencies to bring jobs of the future to the heart of the Sunshine Coast.
“We are working with the expertise of Council and SunCentral to deliver on Lang’s vision with the new masterplan, bringing together all the business, retail, restaurants, connectivity, transport and entertainment to make an incredible city heart for the Sunshine Coast.”
The vision is bold, yet carefully planned, and by the time the Olympics come to the region in 2032, Amanda says there will be significant growth.
“By 2026 we expect there to be more than 600 residents and 1,500 people working here,” she says.
“By 2029, these numbers are projected to increase to 1,400 residents and 2,500 workers, increasing to 3,000 by 2032.
“By the end of the project more than 10,000 residents will be living here.”
As the city grows, so does its technological prowess. The expansion of NextDC’s presence promises faster and more secure data, tapping into opportunities from the subsea cable to provide businesses with a significant competitive advantage for data speed, security and storage. From its stunning coastal location to its advanced technological infrastructure, green spaces to sustainable buildings, Maroochydore City Centre is crafting a unique identity. It’s a place where urban development meets coastal living, where business thrives alongside lifestyle, and where a community is growing into a city of the future. As cranes continue to reshape the skyline and new residents move in, Maroochydore is not just building a city; it’s building a vision of what modern urban living can be.
Exciting times ahead!
