Locals have been urged to have their say on proposed changes to plans for the emerging Maroochydore City Centre, including the relocation of some major components.
Community consultation is underway for a proposed amendment to the Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area Development Scheme.
It essentially includes combining the waterway and parkland elements to create a central park and lake at the heart of the city centre; moving the proposed Exhibition and Convention Centre closer to the future transit centre; and relocating the amphitheatre to the northern end of the central park.
Sunshine Coast Council mayor Mark Jamieson encouraged people to have their say.
“Our new city centre belongs to the Sunshine Coast community,” he said.
“It will continue to grow and consolidate its place as the main centre for the Sunshine Coast and I urge all interested community members – including residents, landowners, developers and business operators – to view the proposed development scheme amendment and provide feedback before consultation closes at 4.30pm on Monday, October 23.”
The Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area was first declared in 2013 to create a new CBD for the Sunshine Coast, support economic development and build infrastructure.
Under a development agreement for the majority of the land in the PDA, Walker Corporation initiated a review of the master plan for the city centre.
An amendment to the development scheme is required to give effect to the revised master plan.
People can visit Have Your Say to lodge a submission.
Council officers will be on hand to answer questions at pop-up information sessions at two locations, including: Sunshine Coast City Hall (foyer); September 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 from noon to 2pm, and October 4, 9, 11, 16, 18 and 23 from midday to 2pm; and at Sunshine Plaza: September 21 (near Coles) from 4pm to 7pm, and October 7 (near Myer) from 9am to midday.
The Queensland Government approved the Maroochydore City Centre PDA Development Scheme on July 11, 2014. The development scheme was subsequently amended in April 2016 and August 2019.
In November 2020, council, SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd and Walker Corporation (Walker) entered into a development agreement to drive the city centre project forward. This agreement provided for Walker to undertake a review of the master plan and this review has now been completed.
At the Ordinary Meeting on April 27, 2023, council resolved to support the proposed amendment to the development scheme and the Minister for Economic Development Queensland subsequently authorised council to undertake formal community consultation.
The full details of the proposed amendment are available to the public during the community consultation period.
Following that public consultation period and council’s review of any submissions received, council will refer the public consultation outcomes to Economic Development Queensland to inform the Minister for Economic Development Queensland’s decision whether to proceed to making the proposed development scheme amendment.
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