Plans to develop a 38-room short-term accommodation facility in the Sunshine Coast hinterland have been lodged with council.
The 2.3-hectare (5.8-acre) site on Landsborough-Maleny Road at Bald Knob is between popular wedding and events venue Maleny Manor and restaurant Gypsy’s Table, which both also offer accommodation.
In a town planning report submitted by Adams and Sparkes on behalf of applicant the Geoffrey Thomas Family Trust, it says the proposal is intended to cater for a current shortfall of accommodation available in the hinterland on weekends.
It says the proposed development would encourage people to stay and explore the local area, promoting the Sunshine Coast hinterland as a destination.
“The site is ideally positioned to provide short-term accommodation within close proximity to tourist attractions, wineries, retail shops, restaurants and natural attractions,” the report says.
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The development would be spread across six buildings and comprise 38 rooms, a manager’s residence and a reception and dining area, along with associated car parking.
Twenty-five units and the reception and dining area would be located close to Landsborough-Maleny Road, with a further 13 units and the manager’s residence in a second cluster on the lower eastern part of the site.
Thirty-five of the proposed units would have one bedroom, with the remaining three units and the manager’s residence having two bedrooms.
Each unit would have an ensuite, kitchenette and balcony taking in views to the north-east.
“The site has a desirable orientation and high-value visual amenity looking north-east with undulating rural landscape in the foreground and distant views to Mount Coolum, Mount Ninderry and the ocean,” the report says.
The dining area would be for the exclusive use of guests only.
The report notes that the Bald Knob and Maleny area is “one of Australia’s most sought-after wedding destinations”, and that there are a number of other wedding venues in the immediate area. Maleny Manor is also owned by the applicant.
The development application is for a material change of use to establish short-term accommodation and is impact assessable.
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