Sunshine Coast projects

[Orodreth]

I didn't know where to put this thread, in the Brisbane or Gold Coast or what. Mods can move.

There are a few developments up on the Sunshine Coast that we haven't heard about.

Here are a few I've added to ss.com

Platinum Apartments - Maroochydore

http://www.reedproperty.com.au/pictures/projects/Platinum_ai_ext.jpg

http://www.reedproperty.com.au/pictures/projects/Platinum_ai_street.jpg

m1 - Maroochydore

http://www.reedproperty.com.au/m1/images/m1ArtistImpression.jpg

The Observatory - Caloundra Under Construction

http://www.reedproperty.com.au/pictures/projects/printversion-web.jpg

Ramada Pelican Waters - Caloundra

http://www.gpl.com.au/properties/prmq/RAMGBa.jpg

Aurora - Maroochydore Under Construction

http://www.reedproperty.com.au/pictures/projects/Aurora_imp.jpg

[jellyman]

cool, I hadn't seen a rendering of platinum yet, so I liked that. I had a look at ss.com, and think the list is now a lot closer to the true list of skyscrapers up there.

Also with the updated stats, the current QLD skyscraper total is (hope I haven't forgotten any towns):

Gold Coast 212
Brisbane 182
SS Coast 12
Cairns 5
Townsville 4
Toowoomba 2
Total: 417

and for Victoria it is:

Melbourne 413
Total: 4 less than QLD

hip hip hooray :)

[Oriolus]

With any luck Townsville will be moving up to 5 soon. The PJ Group have proposed a 12 story apartment tower for cnr of Dibbs and Palmer St. It's undergoing public consultation at the moment- don't know much about it though it should become the tallest for South Townsville and will be Townsville's first skyscraper (12 st +) in 14 years.

I might do a post to update ya on things that are happening up here soon - at least 6 of 6 stories + under construction or planned and huge CBD developments in the pipeline.

[Orodreth]

Originally posted by Oriolus
With any luck Townsville will be moving up to 5 soon. The PJ Group have proposed a 12 story apartment tower for cnr of Dibbs and Palmer St. It's undergoing public consultation at the moment- don't know much about it though it should become the tallest for South Townsville and will be Townsville's first skyscraper (12 st +) in 14 years.

Hey thats cool, do you know what the towers name is going to be? The address?

Is PJ Group the full developer name? I could add it to ss.com if I could find some more info on it.

[CULWULLA]

good stuff orodreth! some beauties there. i wonder when Sunshine Coast will get its first 30st/90m scraper? the tallest so far is the 18storey/60m Outrigger resort at Mooloolaba.Its spires are 67m high.

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2003/01/177217.jpg

Thomas- Ive added a futher 11 skyscrapers to ss.com. I went through my records and checked on ss.com they hadent been added yet. I also contacted Caloundra Council for some heights. It was quite easy as they have height controls for most areas. Some are 36m/40m/45m and 50m zones.

skyscraper count for Sunshine Coast
total-37
existing-23
planned-10
uc-4

cheers

[CULWULLA]

Originally posted by jellyman
cool, I hadn't seen a rendering of platinum yet, so I liked that. I had a look at ss.com, and think the list is now a lot closer to the true list of skyscrapers up there.

Also with the updated stats, the current QLD skyscraper total is (hope I haven't forgotten any towns):

Gold Coast 212
Brisbane 182
SS Coast 12
Cairns 5
Townsville 4
Toowoomba 2
Total: 417

and for Victoria it is:

Melbourne 413
Total: 4 less than QLD

hip hip hooray :)
exsiting scrapers now for Sunshine coast is 23 (up from 12), thus new total for QLD=428.
the combined total for QLD (incl uc/planned) = 549
and Victoria= 556.
QLD require just 7 more to surpass its southern sister city! :D

[JayT]

Originally posted by CULWULLA
exsiting scrapers now for Sunshine coast is 23 (up from 12), thus new total for QLD=428.
the combined total for QLD (incl uc/planned) = 549
and Victoria= 556.
QLD require just 7 more to surpass its southern sister city! :D
Don’t forget Hamilton Island. You can add another 5 towers. 4 are pictured below.
http://www.apeculture.com/resort.jpg

I thought it was a given that we had more buildings than Victorian anyway?
jt

[Orodreth]

Originally posted by CULWULLA
good stuff orodreth! some beauties there. i wonder when
Thomas- Ive added a futher 11 skyscrapers to ss.com. I went through my records and checked on ss.com they hadent been added yet. I also contacted Caloundra Council for some heights. It was quite easy as they have height controls for most areas. Some are 36m/40m/45m and 50m zones.

skyscraper count for Sunshine Coast
total-37
existing-23
planned-10
uc-4

cheers

Hey thats awesome. Sunshine Coast was badly represented on SS.com. This makes it better. Also this thread was moved to Gold Coast?? Even tho its in the opposite directions.... hmmm ok :?

[Oriolus]

Originally posted by Orodreth
Hey thats cool, do you know what the towers name is going to be? The address?

Is PJ Group the full developer name? I could add it to ss.com if I could find some more info on it.

All I've heard about this development is from an article in the Townsville Bulletin. There are development app signs at the site - I'll go have a look at the application if I get time. The address is cnr of Dibbs & Palmer Sts, South Townsville.

TB says it is a partnership between the PJ Group (looked them up on Google but all I got was a load of stuff about group sex!) & M2 Property Development (again appear to have no web site). It will be 104 apartments as well as shops, restaurant and conference facilities I think. But no name.

[CULWULLA]

Originally posted by JayT
Don’t forget Hamilton Island. You can add another 5 towers. 4 are pictured below.
http://www.apeculture.com/resort.jpg

I thought it was a given that we had more buildings than Victorian anyway?
jt
yeah i added them last year. Hamilton island has its own section on ss.com

[jellyman]

The sunshine coast section in ss.com is messed up. Aspect A and B, Cilento, Northbridge Apartments and probably others are repeated. There are 37 buildings listed, but the front page says that there are 26 buildings total.

Also, I think there is one skyscraper in Logan City. I think its 14 stories, a hotel, and you can see it from the pacific motorway right in the densest part of town.

Also I drove to Redcliffe on the weekend, and was surprised to see a nice cluster of half a dozen or so highrises, some looking very new, and another under construction. They look like they are all under 12 stories though, more like 8 or so.

[JayT]

An interesting one in the future - but none over 10 stories I don't think.

My Planning field trip to the Gold Coast was amazing - I never new such suburbs existed!!! Robina was fantastic and there are heaps of office buildings under construction as well as some medium density residential around the railway station. There is also a medical district and a new hospital.

Coomera was the big eye opener!!!!
175,000 people are planned to live there in 15 years with high density around the railway station. Many blocks of highrise apartents are proposed for Coomera CBD around the station and the CBD itself will be as large as Brisbane's!!! Medium and low density will surround the CBD as well as certain industrial precincts. The current Marine precinct is only 5 years old and is amazing.

It is well worth a look if anyone is down there. The land that Coomera sits on is owned jointly by the Maquaurie Bank and Sunland.

jt

[duke]

Originally posted by CULWULLA
good stuff orodreth! some beauties there. i wonder when Sunshine Coast will get its first 30st/90m scraper? the tallest so far is the 18storey/60m Outrigger resort at Mooloolaba.Its spires are 67m high.

Probably never. Even the developers up there don't seem particularly keen on height! I was talking to a sales rep for Juniper in Mooloolaba a couple of weeks ago and she said that Outrigger will be the highest for Mooloolaba and indicated that she didn't think that was a bad thing. They were able to build Outrigger to that height because it is set such a long way back from the road along the beach.

The Sunshine Coast locals are very much anti Gold Coast and its skyscrapers.

The height controls are now very strict. The sales rep also told me that a strip of old shops in a prime position near the surf club are owned by Peter Forrester (formerly part of FKP) and that his latest plans had just been knocked back because the building exceeded the height limit in that area. He considers that unless he can exceed the height limit its not worth building .

[Orodreth]

Originally posted by jellyman
The sunshine coast section in ss.com is messed up. Aspect A and B, Cilento, Northbridge Apartments and probably others are repeated. There are 37 buildings listed, but the front page says that there are 26 buildings total.

How is it messed up? With the buildings you say its repeated? I'm the editor, aswell as Culwulla. I can't see where they are repeated.

It says for Sunshine Coast

37 (all status types)
23 (completed)

Meaning there are 37 buildings all together, but only 23 have been completed, the remaining are in the proposed/approved/under construction status.

[Orodreth]

Originally posted by jellyman
Also, I think there is one skyscraper in Logan City. I think its 14 stories, a hotel, and you can see it from the pacific motorway right in the densest part of town.
This is Springwood Tower you are speaking about. It is only 10 stories

http://www.springwoodtower.com.au/hfront001.jpghttp://www.springwoodtower.com.au/hfront002.jpg

[jellyman]

Recent expansion plans for Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore included 4 x 25 story towers, which was knocked back by council. Maybe once they build enough 12 story buildings they won't care so much if the height limits are increased. I think 10 years ago the height limit was 6 stories or less basically everywhere except for blocks with preexisting approval for previous higher limits. I think the Outrigger hotel was built becuase they were able to take advantage of a brief period during which height limits in selected areas was 17 story.

I have mixed opinions on the issue. I think the locals have raving fanatical NIMBY tendancies. But I don't think I would want the gold coast replicated up there, with wall to wall highrise. I remember the huge outcry against having a coles in Maleny (hinterland), I laughed at the reports on the news. Some time after I went up there for a visit. When I was reminded of how beautiful the area was, I could start to sympathise a bit more.

I think there may be good arguments for mid density development vs very high density, as increasing the overall density of an urban area probably depends more on the amount of medium, and even the density level of the light residential (500 sq-m block or 700 sq-m?). For instance most European cities are more dense than American cities, but have many less skyscrapers. Paris achieves huge residential densities in a city center area limited to 8 stories. Highrises are built in three satellite centers.

I think some or preferably most sections of coast line should have no highrises. I would not be against concentrations of true skyscrapers (above 30 stories) if planned carefully, and not right on top of prime public open space.

[jellyman]

Double towers plan lifts the Coast high-rise bar
20 storeys bid for CBD
THE owners of the Big Top Shopping Centre are set to present two alternatives for the site's redevelopment, including their preferred option , to build two 20-storey towers.
The second option would see at least four 10-storey towers built, a design which would be more compliant with the town plan, but which would significantly reduce open public space the project would create.
..
Mayor Joe Natoli said he had discussed the development with Reeds.
He acknowledged that approving 20 storeys would set "all sorts of dangerous precedents''.
At the same time, however, he said he could see the advantages of taller buildings and more open space.
..
Any amendment to the planning scheme, however, would be noted by other developers and almost certainly be taken into account in future court decisions.
Lend Lease, the manager of Sunshine Plaza, has already had its bid to include five 20-storey towers in the Plaza master plan rejected by the council.
While many residents have said they do not want another Gold Coast built here, a look at the skyline there reveals dozens of building which are 30 to 40 storeys high, while Q1 will be the world's tallest residential tower at 78 storeys.
..

full article: http://www.thedaily.com.au

I am intrigued to see a newspaper article cautiously close to being in favour of higher buildings on the ss coast. However I can imagine there might be some nasty letters to the editor published in the next few days...

[jellyman]

Work crew moves onto Oceans site
$100m resort continues esplanade's transformation
THE ever-changing face of the Mooloolaba Esplanade is set to undergo another transformation, with demolition crews moving in to make way for the latest multi-million-dollar beachfront resort.
Juniper Group's $100 million Oceans development will soon begin to take shape on the old post office site , the final "missing piece'' on the nothern end of the esplanade.
Juniper marketing manager, David Kortlang, said the 10storey resort was another important milestone in the evolution of the Esplanade into a "world-class tourism and lifestyle precinct''.

http://www.thedaily.com.au

3 posts in a row. Guess I care more than everyone else about ss coast development lol.

[CULWULLA]

good stuff jelly! i appreciate your posts! yeah ithink the height limit should be approx 12-15storeys. no higher.leave tall ones for Surfers.
cheers

[jellyman]

Council plan allows for seven-storey buildings in residential area near Kawana shops

...
Caloundra City division four councillor Andrew Champion said while the draft plan applied to the whole city there were specific provisions that related to properties in Buddina, adjacent to Kawana Shoppingworld, including Pacific Boulevard, Illuka Avenue, Lowanna Drive and Bermagui Crescent.
"In this area, the draft plan is seeking to encourage redevelopment for multi-unit and mixed use residential uses on the proviso that individual properties, if sold, are amalgamated into larger parcels before this can take place,'' Mr Champion said. "The provision also allows for an increase in building heights of up to about seven storeys (or 21 metres) on certain sites.''

...
article also talks about retirees being worried about being forced out of their homes.

[jellyman]

Coast wins road maps to future Budget riches head our way

THE State Government yesterday committed to complete four major Sunshine Coast road projects within five years to reduce motorists' anger over our clogged roads.
...
The budget's road funding for the Coast includes $110 million to duplicate the Sunshine Motorway bridge across the Maroochy River.
Detailed planning work for the project is to start immediately and the entire project is to be finished by 2008-2009.
A further $80 million will be spent to four-lane Caloundra Road between the Bruce Highway and Pierce Avenue by 2008-09.
The previously-announced widening of Maroochydore Road to four lanes between the Bruce Highway and Kunda Park has also been set in concrete, with $77 million allocated to complete the work by 2007-08.
And a new two-lane arterial road will be built from Caloundra to Mooloolaba by 2007-08 at a cost of $56 million.
It aims to take some of the load off the Nicklin Way.

... motorists now have real hope that traffic woes are finally being addressed.
Yaroomba resident Gary Black said traffic accidents and congestion were causing constant delays commuting to and from Maroochydore.
He said some mornings it took 40 minutes to get from Yaroomba to Maroochydore.
"It's just crazy,'' he said.
"It's long overdue.
...
"This will put the North Shore the map,'' she said.
...
"If the allocations in this year's State Budget continue over the next 10-15 years, Caloundra City and Sunshine Coast will be on track meet the needs of its quickly expanding community,'' he said.

Full article: http://www.thedaily.com.au

MrPC would love this, these poor people on the coast think they can build their way out of congestion....

[jellyman]

10-storey buildings to fringe leafy civic square

Winning design concept goes up as well as green
THE heart of Maroochydore is about to be transformed from a bitumen carpark into a mix of trees, open space and walkways... but surrounded by 10-storey buildings.
Mayor Joe Natoli yesterday announced the concept submitted by Brisbane architects Allen Jack & Cottier had been chosen as the winner of council's search for a design for its proposed civic square.
The design replaces the carpark in front of the Maroochydore Courthouse with a formal plaza, a grove of Bunya trees and a tidal park on the edge of Cornmeal Creek.
The area will form an important link between Cotton Tree Park and Sunshine Plaza, and will also be connected to a redeveloped Big Top Shopping Centre , to be renamed Metro , by a pedestrian footbridge over Cornmeal Creek.
But winning designer Colin Janes said all good spaces were surrounded by good buildings.
He said those presently around the space where the civic square will go "need to be denser than they are now".
He said he envisaged a series of multi-level buildings , the Maroochy Plan allows for 10 storeys , with cafes and retail outlets on the ground floor and a mix of offices and apartments above.
"We'll develop a master plan in conjunction with stakeholders ... we see this design concept influencing development of the surrounding precinct for the next 10 to 20 years," he said.
And as for the lost carparking spaces, Mr Janes said we'll go back to the people to look at carparking solutions".
He said it was "too important a development to make carparking one of the key features".
Cultural, heritage and environment consultant Beverly Hand, a member of the selection panel, was at the announcement.
She said the judges particularly liked the "greenness and openness".
She said it was very important that "historical and cultural values had been incorporated into the design".
Fellow judging panel member Leigh Rachow described the winning design as visionary.
"We didn't want anything dark or dingy that might attract a criminal element".
While not technically part of the civic square, work on the redevelopment of Cotton Tree Park, being called stage I of the project, is due to start in December.
The cost of that work, and construction of the square itself, is estimated to cost $3.1 million.
It is being funded jointly by Maroochy Shire Council and the State Government under the Regional Centres Program.
Andrew Cooksley, the council's acting program co-ordinator Urban Design, Landscape and Heritage, said an alternative carparking option could be decided within twelve months, adding he hoped work could start on the civic square in about two years.

[jellyman]

Maroochydore Shire Council continue to discuss the merits of allowing buildings up to 20 stories in Maroochydore CBD. You can fill in an online survey at http://www.maroochydoreqld.com.au/ supporting this proposal.

[Blend]

done. i supported the 20 story thing, but said no to cutting cane land. Cane lad IS the sunshine coast lol.

[LA53R]

Supported it tooo,
But no higher, i am moving there from the gold coast and i dont want it to be goldy no# 2 :(

[Oriolus]

Found this render of Aqua Vista on the BMD's website

Aqua Vista, a 14 storeys apartment tower at Maroochydore
http://www.bmd.com.au/site/projects/27_Aqua_front.jpg

http://www.aquavista.com.au/index.htm
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=176261

[jellyman]

Reed have proposed to build 3 by 20 story buildings on the site of the big top in Maroochydore CBD.

[Danubis]

what is the big top?

[jellyman]

shopping center opposite Sunshine Plaza in the heart of Maroochydor CBD. They have a central mall area covered with a big circus tent - hence the name big top.

[LA53R]

The big top is bloody sh1te
Its so grotty and taking up tower space :bash:

[jellyman]

if you think the big top is dissapointing now (and it is), you should have seen the shopping centre 20 years ago. A small supermarket, a dozen or so shops, and a car park with pot holes. Cornmeal creek was a muddy mess. Opposite the road was the Sands which had both a coles and a k-mart, and a dozen or so specialty shops. Its hard to believe how much the area has changed. Although K-mart in the Sunshine Plaze is still in exactly the same spot it was when it was the Sands.

[LA53R]

lol sounds like a nightmare, how the hell is Big Top making any money with Sunshine Palazo (hehe) right next door. its so beautifull and big m))

[LA53R]

Platinum looks to be about 80% complete, Aurora looks complete now and the Observatory is 99% all painted up and plastic being taken off balconies.

[CULWULLA]

not good news in todays fin review. the Sunshine coast market property is now slowed right down.
the article-LIGHTS GO OUT ON SUNSHINE COAST BOOM.

[Danubis]

not good news in todays fin review. the Sunshine coast market property is now slowed right down.
the article-LIGHTS GO OUT ON SUNSHINE COAST BOOM.

jesus, not another energex crisis. :sly:

[CULWULLA]

lol. the article just mentions how the markets cooling on the sunshine coast while Gold coast is still boom time.

[LA53R]

Cooling? well how come i can count 23 cranes from my girlfreinds office 15 floors up in maroochydore, and there is hoards of billbaords and posters on sites with pictures of highrises. doesn't look like its stopping to me?

[jellyman]

The sunshine coast market should lag behind Brisbane, in the same way Brisbane is lagging behind Sydney and Melbourne. Six months or so ago it was really noticeable that prices stalled and then went down in Brisbane (my wife has been househunting the last year or so). And in that six months we've had just the odd scraper announced in Brisbane and there have been lots of cranes from the boom. I think sunshine coast has just past the peak price about now, so there is probably lots of construction left in the current boom before its all over.

[dan]

nah, the sunshine coast property market begun to slow at the same time as brisbane. there arnt any landmark unit projects planned for the near future, so it's gunna stay a bit quiet for a while.

[JayT]

Was up the Sunshine Coats yesterday - wow some changes!!

Maroochydore had three tower cranes on the skyline and Mooloolabah also had a new tower going up along the esplanade.

Marcoola - wow!! Instant City by the sea.

jt

[Grantus]

These are a few pic's of M1 ( I think ) currently under construction in Maroochydore, near the big top on Duporth Avenue. I only just bought my camera 3 days ago so im gunna start running around a bit more and showing off a bit of the sunny coast which i have not seen much off. I have a few idea's yet of some good pics to take so stay tuned.

http://i137.exs.cx/img137/1898/pict00031od.th.jpg (http://img137.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img137&image=pict00031od.jpg)

http://i134.exs.cx/img134/8227/pict00045fw.th.jpg (http://img134.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img134&image=pict00045fw.jpg)

I hope this works :)

[Grantus]

ahh yay it worked!! :) :)

[Grantus]

if anyone from brisbane or where ever needs to get a picture of something in particular on the sunny coast then ill see if i can get a shot of it

[Malt]

go down/up to Caloundra and take some pics.

[Grantus]

ok, ill see what I can do.

[Grantus]

actually malt, i was gunna ask. What made u want to get pics of caloundra? when ever someone talks aboout the sunny coast they always seem to talk about caloundra. So whats so good about it?

[BrizzyChris]

Its the densest area of the SC, and also has some of the tallest buildings. And it's also got a lot of projects going on right now.

[Grantus]

I got 2 pics of caloundra's skyline from afar today while i was at the top of budrim. I still havnt been able to get into the cbd yet but i will eventually. I also got a couple of nambour too while i was there for work, I won't post them unless someone ask's me to becuase not very many people like nambour mutch, I spose i would have to agree. But still It doesnt have much height, but i reckon the main street is quite dense.

http://img204.exs.cx/img204/232/pict00114ea.th.jpg (http://img204.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img204&image=pict00114ea.jpg)

http://img204.exs.cx/img204/3250/pict00126bm.th.jpg (http://img204.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img204&image=pict00126bm.jpg)

[jellyman]

I like Nambour. But I've been there recently so don't really need to see a picture. I reckon some pictures of Maroochydore CBD and Mooloolaba would be good ideas. I would have thought Mooloolaba must be a denser strip of high rises than anything Caloundra has.

[Grantus]

yup, i reckon so too. I'll try and get some of mar coola too, becuase theres a strip of high rises there thats worth a look at. I have tomorrow off and ill have a car (yippie) so im gunna go for a drive and go crazy with the camera. If not tomorrow then definatly over the weekend as i have the next 4 days off m))

[Grantus]

hears some pictures i got today of mooloolaba and maroochydore. It was a bit of a overcast day but ahh well, it's all good. Sorry for the size of the images, i'll have to fix it up next time.

First off, 2 skyline pics =

Mooloolaba:

http://img202.exs.cx/img202/8562/pict00132nd.th.jpg (http://img202.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img202&image=pict00132nd.jpg)

and Maroochydore, thats a bit more spread out:

http://img202.exs.cx/img202/9425/pict00142no.th.jpg (http://img202.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img202&image=pict00142no.jpg)

now i have a few more that are a bit closer

First Maroochydore:

Duporth avenue

http://i136.exs.cx/img136/1103/pict00225jx.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=pict00225jx.jpg)

http://i136.exs.cx/img136/3743/pict00152eb.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=pict00152eb.jpg)

http://i136.exs.cx/img136/4291/pict00164ib.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=pict00164ib.jpg)

http://i136.exs.cx/img136/2500/pict00172bh.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=pict00172bh.jpg)

http://i136.exs.cx/img136/1138/pict00182tu.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=pict00182tu.jpg)

Ocean street, just off duporth
http://i136.exs.cx/img136/6481/pict00245yr.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=pict00245yr.jpg)

From cotton tree looking towards maroochydore (6th avenue)
http://img42.exs.cx/img42/8826/pict00272ab.th.jpg (http://img42.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img42&image=pict00272ab.jpg)

and Alexandra Headlands beach looking towards maroochydore (where duporth was)
http://img42.exs.cx/img42/2228/pict00298kb.th.jpg (http://img42.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img42&image=pict00298kb.jpg)

I'll post the mooloolaba one's later, So as of now, Enjoy :)

[Malt]

As Brizzychris said. Densest area.
My nana used to live on the second road back form the beach. Now its all tall dense developments with cafe's etc. Very nice if you ask me.

[Grantus]

yeah, i can't wait to go up there next. I don't really know caloundra that well so it should be a spin out. I have'nt seen many maroocydore/mooloolaba photos so i thought it would be a good idea to show some. Caloundra will come soon

[Malt]

lol. you live on the SC and havnt been to Caloundra?
Get some of Noosa too.

[Grantus]

i will. I spose somtimes one area has all that you need and you don't need to venture as much to caloundra or noosa. depending on where your from on the coast, it can sometimes seem like its a long drive to noosa/caloundra, and most of the time i couldnt be botherd going as far, for something i need, or have to do. I live out near nambour way, so I guess its a bit away from things.

[Grantus]

Hears the mooloolaba shots:

Looking down a street one block back from esplanade( the outrigga is the yellowish building on middle right(tallest in mooloolaba i think)
http://i140.exs.cx/img140/2702/pict0030c8ga.th.jpg (http://img140.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img140&image=pict0030c8ga.jpg)

Esplanade:
http://i140.exs.cx/img140/8375/pict00317eh.th.jpg (http://img140.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img140&image=pict00317eh.jpg)

http://i140.exs.cx/img140/3561/pict00328qg.th.jpg (http://img140.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img140&image=pict00328qg.jpg)

The Outrigga:
http://i140.exs.cx/img140/3262/pict00334ti.th.jpg (http://img140.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img140&image=pict00334ti.jpg)

Looking from behind the Esplanade, back towards alex way. the outrigga is far left:
http://i140.exs.cx/img140/5197/pict00349tg.th.jpg (http://img140.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img140&image=pict00349tg.jpg)

Taken same spot, just other side of road, and looking back towards the mooloolaba surf club:
http://img103.exs.cx/img103/6691/pict00352oi.th.jpg (http://img103.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img103&image=pict00352oi.jpg)

And lucky last, A skyline shot of mooloolaba aswell, from the new highway that bypasses bundilla and the start of kawana:
http://img103.exs.cx/img103/115/pict00367ez.th.jpg (http://img103.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img103&image=pict00367ez.jpg)

Thats it for now, hope to have some more pictures for you guys soon.

[Malt]

your taking heaps lol! nice.

[dan]

the central caloundra area has much lower density than the central maroochydore area. the suburb of kings beach, however, has the distinction of being the only suburb of the coast that consists almost entirely of units.. there are only 5-10 houses in the whole suburb.

also, the highest buildings are in mooloolaba and maroochydore respectively.. mooloolaba international (outrigger) is the tallest.

[JayT]

I love sunshine coast density - its developing in a much more urbane way than the gold coast did. Lots of smaller tightly packed buildings - more like southern france than Australia.

When and if the rail link from Mooloolaba to Brisbane happens its gonna take off big time.

jt

[CULWULLA]

thanks for taking some pix of maroochydore! grantus.
heres a new 14storey planned

http://www.colliersresidential.com/listing_images/1102/th_310x261.015801354402_white_Center_670_3deast.jpg
http://www.colliersresidential.com/listing_images/1102/th_310x232.5_white_Center_670_sitelocationmaroochydore.jpg

hey grantus, can i use some of your pix for emporis?
there fab. all i need is your name.
please let me know.
cheers

[dan]

what building is that culwalla? i don't recognise it :/

[Grantus]

yeah no worries culwulla, I stoped taking them becuase no one noticed they where even here(except malt :) ), but if you need some more i would be happy to take some. My mum is over seas with the camera atm so i'll have to wait a bit untill i can get some more pictures. I still have to get some of noosa and caloundra yet, but i will eventually take some.

[Grantus]

I love sunshine coast density - its developing in a much more urbane way than the gold coast did. Lots of smaller tightly packed buildings - more like southern france than Australia.

When and if the rail link from Mooloolaba to Brisbane happens its gonna take off big time.

jt

yup I agree, The high rises up this way arnt everywhere(except for a bit of maroochydore),and thats somthing I too love about buildings when they get built (density).

As for the rail, it would be awesome, it would really bring alot of advantages to the sunny coast and it would link brisbane and the sunny coast respectively

Also culwulla, my first name is Grant. I don't know if you need my last name, but i will leave it at this for now.

[jellyman]

from http://www.thedaily.com.au

Coast developer puts his pedal to the metal

PLANS to build a $350 million shopping complex, complete with six-storey motel, on the Bruce Highway at Glass House Mountains have placed a young Sunshine Coast developer squarely in the fast lane. The news has come just days after Scott Juniper piloted his $300,000, 600hp Porsche 911 twin turbo around...

The rest of the story is all about Mr Juniper's experience in some rally race.

I'm a bit surprised they are considering such a development out in that area, which seems to be a mostly rural area still. I'm pretty sure its outside the SEQ plan urban area as well. There are a number of housing estates going on around there. I can imagine the backlash thats gonna come from the locals though.

[Grantus]

From http://www.thedaily.com.au


Coast wins new schools and roads
08.06.2005

By TENILLE BONOGUORE
UPGRADED roads, new schools and the power grid account for more than half of the Sunshine Coast’s $228 million budget as the Beattie Government aims to prove its economic mettle.

The 2005-06 budget for the region concentrated on the basics while providing for the ongoing population increases.

The big ticket items included $10 million for the new Caloundra West State College, $23 million for continued work on the Sunshine Motorway, and $17.5 million for industry and business parks in Yandina, Coolum and Caloundra.

There was also $13 million to start work on the $18 million project to four-lane Maroochyddore Road through the Kunda Park industrial area, to be completed by late 2006.

A further $8 million will kick off work on the new $77 million four-lane road from Kunda Park to the Bruce Highway.
However, Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson wanted to know where the money was to fast-track the proposed new bridge over the Maroochy River and the four-laning of the Motorway to Pacific Paradise.

The budget did include $5.8 million for a new bypass at Pacific Paradise to cut traffic through the existing interchange.

The community’s desperate plea for affordable housing and social support was heard.

Almost $20 million will be spent across the Coast in the coming financial year to buy or build public and community housing.

Disability and community services will share almost $25 million, with $16.9 million ploughed into health services and equipment.

Independent Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington said the decision to raise the land tax threshold to $450,000 would be warmly welcomed by property owners.

“It (land tax) really was one of the loudest messages I received from people right across the Coast,” Mr Wellington said.

He also said the record allocation for public housing was certainly appreciated.

Member for Glasshouse Carolyn Male singled out funding for education infrastructure and road improvements.

Labor MP Cate Molloy said she was “stoked’’ at what the budget promised her Noosa electorate, particularly in pledging $200,000 for tourism advertising and $432,000 out of a total cost of $898,000 to fund a 25-metre heated swimming pool at the Noosa Aquatic Centre.

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshinecoast001.jpg

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshinecoast002.jpg

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshinecoast006.jpg

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshinecoast005.jpg

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshinecoast004.jpg

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshinecoast003.jpg

[Oriolus]

It's probably old news (it's already listed as completed on Emporis) but I havn't seen any mention of Ramada Pelican Waters (http://www.ramadapelicanwaters.com.au/) on SSC. Apparentely it was completed in December.

http://www.reedproperty.com.au/Assets/14/Ramada_Pelican_Waters.jpg

If anyone has some photos that'd be great.

[Grantus]

^^ i'll see what i can do.

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshine001.jpg

[citiboy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/citiboy/sunshine002.jpg

[Grantus]

Looks like a new 8 storey highrise for mooloolaba that i seen in this saturdays paper:

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3775/mooloolaba9lo.jpg

And Oriolus, I also saw a recent completed shot of Ramada Pelican Waters out of the paper as well:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1627/ramada6ig.jpg

[dan]

citiboy; it is aqua vista

[Grantus]

Just thought I would mention that the maroochydore bridge upgrade has officially started 3 days ago with 6 lanes in total crossing the river. The bridge got fast tracked by 2 years... wow.

The sunshine motorway aswell is starting to happen with trees being knocked down between the bruce highway and the kawana exit. The last i herd it was going to be 3 lanes each way but to say at the least it will be 2.

[Grantus]

Decision means a whole new ball game

07.09.2006
By KATHY SUNSTROM

MAROOCHYDORE – as you know it – will never be the same.

Horton Park Golf Club members voted overwhelmingly in favour of selling off the Maroochydore CBD’s last big piece of green space in a secret ballot on Tuesday night.

The vote now gives developer Babcock and Brown the green light to transform the 53ha golf course into a mixture of high-rise buildings, a central park and possibly even a railway station.

Maroochy councillor and town planning chair Tony Northey said yesterday the changes in Maroochydore would be “significant”.

“If you could transport yourself 10 years ahead, you probably wouldn’t recognise the Maroochydore CBD as it is today,” Mr Northey said.



“I would think that we will see a lot happening in the next five years.”

The change won’t happen overnight with the actual sale of the golf course land yet to be finalised.

The 76% who voted “yes” on Tuesday simply agreed to move and to allow the board to “negotiate, sign and bind the club to legal agreements with Babcock & Brown”.

A club spokesperson said yesterday the board was moving to finalise the deal as quickly as possible.

“The board is working closely with Babcock and Brown to proceed with relocation following the overwhelming vote of club members. The commercial parameters of this deal have been agreed to and we anticipate being at our new site by 2011.”

Babcock and Brown hopes to have completed the acquisition of the alternative site at Eudlo Creek by “no later than January 2009”.

“The site is already secured, the sale now just has to be finalised,” a golf course spokesperson said.

The development application would then be lodged in February 2007.

Mr Northey said he didn’t think there would be any difficulty in obtaining permission to build a golf course on the land.

“I think the land is in the urban footprint but, even if it isn’t, you are allowed to be a golf course outside the urban footprint.’’

Development approval on the site was only expected in December 2008 and construction of the new course would commence in February 2009.

Members would be expected to relocate from the existing site to the new 18-hole course by April 2011 with the southern course due for completion in April 2012 and the final stage for completion of old course development expected in September 2019.

Mr Northey said Maroochy was already working to finalise plans for the CBD so that development could begin to take place.

“We will be looking at voting on the preferred option for the CBD in the next month and to begin planning as soon as possible,” Mr Northey said.

The Babcock and Brown proposal for the site aligns closely with Maroochy mayor Joe Natoli’s preferred vision for the CBD and includes nine buildings up to 50 metres high.

Their current development plan includes 11.02ha of landscaped open parkland incorporating lakes, barbecue and recreation areas for public use.

A further 14.33ha will be dedicated to public open space incorporating roads, pedestrian paths, walkways and public plazas.

There is also the scope to include Mr Natoli’s preferred location for the railway station on the golf course site.

This would have to get the approval of Main Road’s minister Paul Lucas. Mr Lucas said yesterday he would not comment on whether he would allow the station to be moved as he was “well aware that in contentious issues such as this, they often end up in the courts”.

“The government has a current alignment for the rail station. I’m not going to rush into anything until the dust well and truly settles,” he said.

Babcock and Brown plans to develop the site over the next 20 to 25 years, “depending on development approval, market risk and construction cost”.

The biggest hiccup to the proposed sale and redevelopment lies in the potential legal challenge from rival developer FKP.

FKP refused to comment yesterday on the legal action. Queensland manager Matthew Miller said he was “disappointed” with the decision, but he confirmed that construction on the Horton Apartment development would continue. “FKP is committed to delivering the Horton Apartment project,” Mr Miller said.

[dan]

whoah

[Arnzy]

A lot of road & transport infrastructure already started or soon to start within the next few months. The Caloundra Road upgrade from Pierce Av to the Bruce Highway has already started, they are doubling this part of the road to 4 lanes. The Sunshine Motorway 4-laning between Kawana Island turnoff & Sippy Downs started a few months ago.

The upgrading of the main North Coast rail line between Caboolture and Landsborough is due to start within a few months, this is the pre-requisite for the Beerwah-Calounda-Maroochydore rail link.

[Grantus]

Theres alot of road infrastructure happening atm. It's taken it's bloody time but now theres too much going on and the traffic delays are a pain in the neck :P

[BrizzyChris]

For the 3rd biggest city in Qld, we sure don't get many updates from the SC.

[mrlaxative]

The only reason I can think of is that most of the Sunny coast's high-rise developments are tourism-based and the permanent population there don't really care much about it. Could that be why? I dunno...

Because on the other hand most of Townsville and Brisbane's high-rises are apartment blocks and office buildings and the locals take more interest in the going-ons around the city.

[jellyman]

Very strong NIMBY culture on Sunshine Coast. Also there haven't been many buildings above 6 stories built there in last few years I think - although I don't get to the coastal strip very often so could be mistaken.

I did see an article recently that they are discussing taller buildings around the Maroochydore CBD. It sounds like they are planning for a fairly dense forest of 12 story buildings in that area with taller buildings on selected sites. Taller probably something like 20 stories or so.

[Grantus]

^ yep, thats the plan. Its taking ages to go through though.

I think most of the population has decided on density and not height. There has been a fair few 6 storey buildings going up with a few 10-12 ones, but if anything big is going to happen then they will limit the height but go alot denser.

The last I herd and from what Natoli said is he would like at least one tall building(25storeys?) to mark the center of maroochydore. That could be looking bleak though because with the nimby's I do believe they think that once one tall goes up, then more will follow... This can be read here: http://www.thedaily.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3710840&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

Here's a cutout from the local news paper from about a year ago aswell showing the two options in reason = density Vs height.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/1061/futureofcbd9xq.jpg

[BrizzyChris]

I think a dense low core, with one standout signature tower is the best option. I wouldn't want to see SC become like the GC.

[Arnzy]

As a person that grew up up on the coast, I'd have to go with the a 12-15 story limit spread out (not too close together), with a signature tower of say, 24 stories every now and again.

As for the NIMBY situation, it seemed to die down a bit, although there is the vocal minority still around. Like those that didnt want the railway going into Maroochydore because it goes 'through' the golf club (even though the maps state it goes around it.. not through it).

[jellyman]

I kind of prefer density to height anyway. Its amazing to see how the coast has grown over 25 years. Sometimes its sad to see some of the places I used to roam around in the bush as an 8 year old are now wall to wall suburbia. Sometimes I think if they just allowed a few 30 or 40 story buildings in Maroochydore they might lose some of the appeal of being a non developed place, meaning a slowing population growth, and less over development.

I like what I've heard they do in Florida. The town plan allows for 10 stories as a right. But you can apply to build higher, and for every extra story you have to buy a set amount of land in the Everglades to be forever set aside as bushland. I'd love to see that for the sunshine coast.

[broadie]

that would be nice if it had a little cbd

[dan]

reed property group recently bought 8.3ha of the wises farm site.. and im guessing it was the high density/town centre part. so we should see quite a few towers from them in the coming years.

[staminous]

Hi guys,


I'm trying to work out the exact baoundaries of the wises farm maroochydore site. I am presuming it involves the land north of the motorway north to the current cdb fringe and east to the border of horton park golf course. is this correct?

[jellyman]

Thats definitely the general area yes. Not sure of the exact boundaries though.

[dan]

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=wises+farm+maroochydore&meta=

[CULWULLA]

nice aerial of moo,lba
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5565/103685565ml1166485296.jpg

[Arnzy]

http://www.thedaily.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3722391&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

Three high-rise towers plan for Maroochydore CBD

19.02.2007
by Bill Hoffman THREE high-rise buildings, each 30 storeys in height, may be all that can save central Maroochydore from becoming a planning disaster, according to a leading architect.
Queensland gold medal for architecture winner Jim Birrell said any concession to allow construction of buildings to that height should lead to the redevelopment of existing property and the opening up of space in the town centre.

Mr Birrell says Maroochy Mayor Joe Natoli’s vision for a “single, iconic building’’ makes little architectural sense, with the prospect of creating a “sore thumb” appearance, nor did it address the opportunities available to correct past mistakes.





He said two buildings of significant height would create a duality, while three represented an opportunity to create inter-relationships with ever changing skylines from different aspects of the city just as St Paul’s Cathedral does in London with its two towers and dome.
He proposes the use of government and other agency tenancies as an incentive for property owners to consolidate their holdings to create one of the slimline 30-storey iconic towers that would help define the CBD and open up outdoor space to the public.

The suggestion aimed to open up the already proposed town square through to the Ocean Street, First Avenue, Cotton Tree Esplanade intersection and its river and ocean views.

He said the area contains most of the State and Federal Government offices and some of Maroochy Council.

“They are mostly in fifth-rate accommodation without prestige,’’ Mr Birrell said.

“What a shot in the arm would result if the Office of Urban Management led a program of civic rejuvenation,’’ he said.

Mr Birrell said redevelopment of existing buildings on the west side of First Avenue in a private, public partnership may prove attractive to many land owners. “An iconic building would not result in an increase of only three floors above the existing higher buildings as is being tentatively suggested.

“To be truly iconic over the next 30 years these buildings should be at least 10 storeys above the highest proposed and existing buildings and located in relation to axial lines from the Esplanade, Horton Parade and other salient prospects. They should be slender with elegant silhouettes preferably by designers of international repute.’’

Mr Birrell said there was little logic in the inclusion of the river bank sites along Duporth Avenue, and the M1 building and post office on Cornmeal Creek as part of the Maroochy Development Area as they were almost fully developed, many to 12 and 16 storeys, and, because most were corporate building unit title, would stay that way for the next 25 years and longer.

“The Aerodrome Road finger to the east is a magnificent entry boulevard for the CBD that needs rejuvenation,” Mr Birrell said.

“Most of the existing buildings (in that strip) are single storey, many blighted and most covered in discordant advertising.

“Maroochydore desperately needs three or four all-suites hotels to cope with medium-sized conventions in the 300-delegate range. They are also needed for private parties such as weddings.

“These could be encouraged by Maroochy Shire Council indicating planning concessions provided open space and garden frontages were incorporated to give an atmosphere comparable to Coronation Drive, Brisbane or St Kilda Road, Melbourne.’’

Mr Birrell said encouragement of that kind was given 20 years ago to Cotton Tree and Picnic Point by slight relaxation of site coverage and floor space. “Quickly the asbestos cement shacks disappeared and the town houses now around the Cotton Tree Common along Memorial Avenue and adjoining streets and the Esplanade at Picnic Point appeared,’’ he said.

[KJBrissy]

Sounds awesome. I've always thought they needed to lift the limits at Maroochy and drop them evrywhere else in the nearby vicinity.

[alchemy]

it hasnt happened yet tho has it ??

[Grantus]

^ not yet. It's been 2 years in the making and probably will be 2 more years.

It takes ages for a project like that to go ahead up here. That's even if it will. In the end though, Maroochy CBD will be massively dense with no height to say at the least.

[jellyman]

Prison block’ passes despite parking cuts

SOME of it resembles “a hospital or prison block”, it has “nearly half the carparks required under the town plan” – it’s the first office block approved by Maroochy Council for its new CBD.

..

Councillors like Christian Dickson coudn’t see the logic.

“ Public transport is 10 years away and parking is bad in Maroochydore as it is. The whole shire has a shortage of car parks. Let’s not stuff it up any more,” he said two weeks ago.
...
http://www.thedaily.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3729728&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

Was on the coast and saw the article in print. The printed version has a render of what is maybe an 8 story office building. Not crash hot, but definitely not ugly - harsh to call it a hospital block, and a bit over the top to call it a prison block. I think they aren't used to taller buildings without balconies up there lol.

And they don't have much faith at all in any public transport system. Its not great, but you can get a bus to the CBD on a 15 minute frequency on the heavily populated Maroochydore to Caloundra route, and every 30 minutes to a quite significant portion of the rest now so I think it would be quite feasible to catch a bus to work up there. It would be as much of a culture change as anything I reckon. Many of them would see buses are for the wives to go shopping, or for people to poor to afford cars, and that driving wherever they want with no more than 3 minutes of delay is their God given right.....

[Arnzy]

PT up the Sunny Coast is okay, and is cheap (and integrated) now that it's under TransLink. But service frequencies could be better.

Sunbus does run every 15 mins on the route 600: Sunshine Plaza to Caloundra.
Every 30 mins on route 620: Sunshine Plaza to Noosa.
Every 30 mins on route 616/617 to Buderim/Uni..
Every 30 mins on route 626/627 Noosa to Tewantin
and hourly for all other routes (except 605/615/630/631 rail-links to Landsborough/Nambour stations, which are co-ordinated with Citytrain services to Brisbane)

[Arnzy]

Study on a alternative corridor in Caloundra (altered from current proposed route)

http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=52042


Friday, May 25, 2007

Further study on rail corridor approved.


The second phase of an investigation into an alternative rail corridor at southern Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast has begun.


Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas has announced the draft results of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) would be presented to the community for feedback mid year.


“This alternative rail corridor has clear advantages over the previous proposal and runs east of the Bruce Highway north of Beerwah to Sugarbag Road in Caloundra.


“It’s a shorter route and initial studies suggest it would have less environmental impact.


“But the big bonus is the potential to boost passenger numbers by integrating the proposed rail line into Caloundra City Council’s plans for a new city centre at the aerodrome site.


"Caloundra City Council's own Local Growth Management Strategy released late last year identified the aerodrome alignment as a potential rail corridor,” he said.


Mr Lucas said the alternative corridor had already passed a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) study with the steering committee recommending this as the preferred option for Queensland Transport.


“It’s part of the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) rail project - a proposed extension of the main North Coast railway line at Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and Maroochydore by 2020.”


“CAMCOS would provide a public transport spine for the Sunshine Coast with plans for a train station to serve the proposed Sunshine Coast Hospital adjacent to the Kawana Town Centre.


“Public transport interchanges would also be developed at the new Caloundra City Centre and at Maroochydore.”


Mr Lucas is urging local residents to have their say on the draft Environmental Impact Study.


“The population of the Sunshine Coast is estimated to grow to over 424,000 by 2026 – so we want to ensure we take into account community views on the future transport in the region.”


Mr Lucas said the final EIS incorporating community feedback is expected to be submitted to the Queensland Government for approval later this year.

[KJBrissy]

A big Sunshine Coast Project ;):

http://media.apn.co.nz/regionals/ausgymtimes/pics/dam1.jpg

Traveston Dam

[Grantus]

Bump for metroman as he probably didn't know this thread existed :)

[metroman]

That's where it went. Thanks Grantus. Some interesting info in todays Sunshine Coast daily. Maroochydore looks set to roar as it is about to undergo at least $5 billion worth of development. It looks like the first project to get underway apart from the Harvey Norman centre, will be the extra 100 shops planned for the Plaza, work set to start early new year with any luck. Harvey Norman showroom and retail development will be $100 million and will have a frontage which is 500 metres long. The other developments including the Horton Parade golf course and the much awaited Big Top redevelopment will probably be further down the track. If someone could scan these articles from todays daily that would be awesome.:cheers:

[Grantus]

I have a scanner. Don't have that paper though :( pity. i really wanted to see it.

I might be able to dig it up at the local newsagent.

[Grantus]

Here you go:

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1354/dailyp1bf4.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8079/dailyp2le1.jpg

Quite a good read actually with a lot being planned. I just wish it started yesterday :)

[metroman]

Brilliant. Maroochydore is sure going to change . I was there today and you can't help thinking that something big is due to start soon. I read in the article that they identified a need for a further 100,000 sq.m of retail space in the future. I understand that is on top of the current proposals. It is reasonable to assume that the Plaza will eventually be as big as Chermside and possibly Parramatta. That would be further down the track though. Kawana has over $2 billion worth of development to include the Kawana Town Centre, Kawana Beach and the new hospital as well as significant new housing projects and transport projects including a transit centre, rail link.:banana:

[metroman]

The Kawana Town Centre and Business Village will eventually generate somewhere between 12,000-15,000 jobs. Work on Kawana Beach should begin at the end of next year. It will include a new surf club, possibly similar to what they have on the Gold Coast, 3,500 people will live there, building heights set to go as high as 12 storeys. There will also be a Mooloolaba type tourist hub which will include retail and will be like a mini Hastings Street. It is fair to say Kawana will have its own esplanade, which showcases our world class beach.:banana:

[metroman]

Bump. It seems we have fell off the map.

[metroman]

Caloundra's Bulcock Street looks set to be revitalized under a plan to turn the area into an urban village which will feature more cafes, restaurants, quality retailers and accommodation. Landowners voted that this was what they favoured for the area according to a recent survey. Also addressed in an upcoming study will be traffic congestion. Plans are expected to be released for the public to make comments on next year. Meanwhile work is well underway on the $85 million Ramba resort and Bulcock Beach is also set to have some major redevelopment work done. As well as Monaco, Calounra looks set for an exciting future. With the train expected to link Caloundra by 2015 and much of the roadwork to be finished late next year the area looks to be really opening up.

[Sunbus610]

This is great news for Maroochydore's Sunshine Plaza and the Sunshine Coast in general.

$15 million DJs store for the Coast
Wednesday, 7 May 2008

David Jones has announced it will spend $15 to $17 million on a new store in Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza - and it will rival the Brisbane CBD store for quality.

Management is confident the new department store will “significantly exceed the company’s new store benchmarks”, with $50 to $60 million worth of sales likely to be generated each year.

David Jones group general manager of retail development and procurement, Antony Karp, told thedaily.com.au that the new store would be “equal to, or better than, anything else we’ve opened in Queensland, other than the CBD store, which we recently upgraded”.

“This is fantastic news and we’re very excited,” he said.

The Sunshine Coast store will be a “brand new, full-line 14,000sqm” department store and will open by 2012, according to the company.

Mr Karp said the Plaza store would contain a range of retail sections including homewares, cosmetics, accessories and entertainment.

The company says David Jones entered into a binding agreement with Sunshine Plaza owners (Australian Prime Property Fund and The GPT Group) on Monday and that the new store would form part of the Plaza’s $240 million expansion.

DJs has been granted a 20-year lease with an option to renew for a further 10 years.

“Sunshine Plaza was chosen as the site for the new David Jones store as it: is located in the heart of the Maroochydore CBD; attracts customer traffic in excess of 11 million customers annually; is within the top 10 performing shopping centres in Australia in terms of Moving Annual Turnover/sqm; is the public transport hub for Maroochydore with future plans for it to adjoin the new planned rail link and can be developed within the local planning code subject to council approval,” the company said in an announcement.

David Jones CEO Mark McInnes said the company’s strategic plan identified the opening of between four and eight “high value” new stores as a key source of value over the next four years. The Plaza outlet is the first of those new stores.

The plan also established key criteria that new store locations had to satisfy before a commitment was made to opening in a particular area.

Potential locations had to have strong demographics, large catchments, attractive growth prospects, relatively low department store penetration and be capable of generating at least $40 million is sales each year.

"We are delighted to be establishing a presence in the high growth, attractive demographic of the Sunshine Coast,” Mr McInnes said.

“It is a market that we are not currently represented in, our closest store being in Chermside which is approximately 90 kilometres away.

“We have for some time recognised that Queensland (in particular the Sunshine Coast) is a market which represents enormous growth potential for our Company and in which department stores are under-represented.

“Our management team has spent many months assessing a number of potential sites for a new store in this region. Following lengthy negotiations with a number of parties it became clear that Sunshine Plaza was best suited to meet and exceed all of the new store opening criteria.

“In addition the site can be delivered within the context of the current Maroochydore planning code.”

Construction will begin in 2009 and will be completed and opened in 2012.

The cost of constructing and fitting out the new department store will be shared by stakeholders, who are the landlords, suppliers and David Jones itself.

David Jones’ current Queensland stores can be found in the Queen Street Mall, Carindale, Chermside, Garden City, Robina, Toombul and Toowong.


Link to the Sunshine Coast Daily story (http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/may/07/15-million-djs-store-coast/)

[metroman]

Mirvac released details of its $110 million redevelopment of Kawana Shoppingworld. An extra 20,000 sq.m will be added along with around 1,000 extra car spaces. Mirvac have permission to build up to 7 storey, but will only go to 2 or 3 with this development. An extra supermarket and a Target store will be added as well as a cinemas for up to 650 people. There will also be a new town square on Point Cartright Drive. It should be completed in 2011. Work will start early next year.

[Sunbus610]

^^
Some more information with regards to the new Sunshine Plaza DJ's department store from the David Jones website

David Jones website - ASX and Media Releases (http://www.davidjones.com.au/images/corp/pdf/New_Sunshine_Plaza_Store.pdf)

[CULWULLA]

not sure what thread to put these in?
noosa heads highrise
13storeys
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2618358461_fa6d2b418b_b.jpg

Airlie beach density
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2630149649_72cf577e55_b.jpg

[Burden]

How come you have Airlie Beach thats in the Whitsundays.

[metroman]

I wasn't aware Noosa had a 13 storey building until I saw your post.:)

[Rockvegas]

www.thedaily.com.au (http://www.thedaily.com.au)

$110m Kawana shops revamp delayed

12:00a.m. 1st October 2008
| By Toby Walker (http://www.thedaily.com.au/staff/toby-walker/contact/)

http://media.thedaily.com.au/img/photos/2008/09/30/shops-main_t350.jpg Mirvac's plans for Kawana ShoppingWorld include an additional 20,000 square metres of retail space, including an eight-screen cinema complex, another supermarket, a Target store, 1000 more parking spaces and a town square.


The $110 million expansion of Kawana Shoppingworld (http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/apr/30/110m-revamp-kawana-shops)has been delayed after council planners demanded substantial changes to its design.

Sunshine Coast Regional Council planners sent the centre’s owner, Mirvac, back to the drawing board on June 17 with a list changes to better integrate the new design into Buddina’s surrounding streets.

The most pressing alteration was a request to move a major bus interchange being paid for by Mirvac and originally planned for Point Cartwright Drive on to Nicklin Way to complement the state government’s CoastConnect scheme, which will create designated bus lanes on the busy arterial road.

Council planners also rejected a proposal to use the space backing on to Bermagui Crescent as a service area for a Target store and multi-level car parking.

Instead, they have asked for the area to be “streetscaped” to provide for more shops along Bermagui Crescent. This will enable the centre to link up with the old Caloundra City Council’s concept of the Buddina Urban Village precinct to the east, which was first devised in the city’s 2004 planning scheme.

Concerns were also raised over inadequate 24-hour pedestrian access through the expanded centre between Point Cartwright Drive and Tumut Street.

Mirvac had hoped to begin the major redevelopment in March next year, but a Sydney-based spokeswoman for the company said council’s requests meant a start date could no longer be provided.

Paul Gleeson, council’s team leader of major developments, said the council and Mirvac had “pretty much come to an agreement” on the changes.

However, he admitted final approvals would be further delayed because of the state government’s interest in how the expanded shopping centre would impact on local traffic.

Mr Gleeson said Queensland Transport had also raised issues over how the main entrance and exit to the centre at Point Cartwright Drive would work.

The state department is yet to provide final advice on how it envisages the project will fit with surrounding roads and whether 1000 more parking spaces would be adequate.

Under the plan submitted to council last April, an additional 20,000 square metres of retail space would be created, including an eight-screen cinema complex , another supermarket, a Target store, 1000 more parking spaces and a town square.

http://media.thedaily.com.au/img/photos/2008/09/30/shops-inset.jpg
An artist's impression of the revamped centre.

Meanwhile, Mirvac denied the recent global financial turmoil had thrown the expansion plan into doubt after some retailers who had been on month-to-month leases expressed surprise at being offered a return to more permanent lease arrangements.

“Whilst most of the centre tenancies have been on holdover leases to facilitate the greatest re-letting benefit on completion of the project, the delay ... has prompted us to negotiate several new leases now,” the spokeswoman said.

“This is not an indication as to a delay of the project, but simply prudent action given the additional time we expect to deal with council and the marginal benefit in delaying the renegotiating of these leases.”

[Indictable]

Finally they do something, i was there a few days after school, you can see my old school in the bottom of that photo

[metroman]

I live in Kawana just over the road from the shopping centre. It is good that they are still staying with the Buddina Urban Village, when this starts I don't know. Stockland have several projects on the drawing board for Kawana which will be announced soon. Stage 1 of the Kawana Town Centre will be a shopping centre of over 24,000 sq.m of retail space which will be extended to over 35,000 sq.m in addition up to a further 45,000 sq.m approximately of commercial and office is also to be developed in the Kawana Town Centre. Stage 1 is supposed to open in 2009, this is possibly a contributing factor to the delay in the Mirvac expansion of Kawana Shoppingworld. It is case of two major retail developments jockeying for position. It will be interesting to see which gets the greenlight first.:cheers:^^

[Rockvegas]

Dam photos show Traveston impact

12:00a.m. 14th November 2008
By Bill Hoffman (http://www.thedaily.com.au/staff/bill-hoffman/contact/)


These pictures tell the true story about the impact of the state government’s proposed multi-billion-dollar Traveston Crossing Dam (http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/nov/08/greens-could-stop-traveston-lee/).
The never-before-seen images were produced with the use of aerial photographs, RL levels and pinpoint-accurate GPS coordinates, which combine to show the level of inundation a full dam would cause.

Specialist cartographer David Patrick, managing director of modelling and visualisation firm Greenpondtsg, produced the images because he was annoyed by the failure of Queensland Water Infrastructure to include any real representation of the dam’s impact in its own material.

His company has also produced a series of topographical images from a range of perspectives around the proposed dam’s boundaries that give a real-life, three-dimensional appreciation of what the future looks like should the project go ahead.

In the coming week he will also release what he calls mud shots, pictures that will show the dam at various levels of capacity.

Mr Patrick said QWI had only ever produced highly stylised artist impressions that were at odds with the true impacts of the proposed dam on what is now a “food bowl” of top-class alluvial flood plains.

Before
http://media.thedaily.com.au/img/photos/2008/11/13/tdam1a.jpg


His images show the submergence of a section of the Bruce Highway which, like roads, power and telephone lines, will have to be relocated at enormous cost, as well as the loss of dairy farms, rural communities, wildlife corridors and aquatic ecosystems.

After
http://media.thedaily.com.au/img/photos/2008/11/13/tdam2.jpg

They also expose what Mr Patrick describes as a “ridiculously shallow dam” that will result in weed and algal infestation and that just a metre drop in the water depth would see the shoreline shift tens of metres.

That is likely in a five-metre-deep dam that is proposed to be built on topographically flat grazing land, which will see ground seepage of 0.3 metres a year and surface evaporation of 1.5 metres annually.

Mr Patrick’s business is usually commissioned by mining companies, power plants and similar operations to produce real-life images.

Its work is subject to close scrutiny, often by lawyers as part of court appeals and needs to be of the highest accuracy and integrity.

The Mary River resident, who lives just below the proposed dam wall, said he had been inspired to put his technical skills to use because of the unflagging efforts of anti-dam campaigners.

QWI chief executive officer Graeme Newton told last week’s state-of-the-region summit at the University of the Sunshine Coast that the project would create 600 direct and 1700 indirect jobs as well as work for more than 600 suppliers.

However, whether the Queensland government can convince federal environment minister Peter Garrett that it satisfies all relevant acts remains to be tested, with it yet to submit its supplementary environmental impact statement to the state’s auditor general.

[KJBrissy]

Thanks Rock.

Very interesting!