More than 130 hectares of land has been snapped up by Sunshine Coast Council as it works towards creating a major new sporting and recreation precinct.
The council has just secured another 37ha of land on Oyster Bank Road at Bli Bli, adding to the 97ha already purchased for the project in 2021.
The project, which is still in the early planning stages, is aimed at helping the council reach its target of maintaining five hectares of sport and recreation space per 1000 residents.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the planned precinct would help residents live healthy and active lifestyles.
“We’re committed to delivering this vision for a place where people can enjoy being active and connected with their community, with more than 130ha now secured by council and set aside for this major project,” she said.
“Sport and recreation facilities are fundamental to our region’s liveability, and projects such as this ensure communities in the northern and central areas of our region can continue to access these quality spaces.”
Cr Suarez said the purchase added to public land within the Blue Heart, a partnership project that strives for sustainable and innovative floodplain management in the Maroochy River catchment.
“Open spaces like these can also play a part in our climate change response by providing areas for flood water storage, a key objective of the Blue Heart project,” she said.
“Almost 1700ha of the Blue Heart Sunshine Coast project area is publicly owned.
“Meanwhile, we’re investigating alternative land uses for private landowners to consider as some traditional farming industries becoming less viable.”
The land was purchased in line with council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan, with a significant financial contribution made by developers through Infrastructure Charges to provide for future major recreation parks and sportsgrounds.
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