The commencement of construction work on the next stage of Mooloolaba’s foreshore revitalisation is set to be pushed back to next year.
Sunshine Coast Council had originally hoped to start construction in the middle of this year, but it is now not expected to start until early 2025, with the goal to complete the project before Christmas 2026.
At its Ordinary Meeting on January 18 this year, the former council voted that a report about the endorsed project be presented to the new council prior to a construction tender being awarded.
That report will be presented at the council meeting on May 30.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the decision to delay the start of construction on Stage 2 was to allow more time to prepare for the project.
“During the tender process it became clear that after the contract is awarded, the contractor would need lead time for programming and to procure materials for the coastal protection works before they could start working on the site,” she said.
“This essentially means the window for a construction start this year has closed.
“While the process to secure an expert construction contractor continues, council has been working with the newly established Mooloolaba Business Activation Group and Mooloolaba Stakeholder Interest Group.
“We have been listening and we have heard from our business members that disruption and activation planning is key prior to construction.
“That is why, at the fourth Business Activation Group meeting on May 7, the group was informed that the project should now start in early 2025 allowing businesses more time to prepare.
“To minimise disruption to our business community, the early 2025 construction start will help in our endeavour to avoid two peak Christmas and new year trading seasons, our goal being to complete the project before Christmas 2026.”
The Business Activation Group consists of accommodation providers, representatives from tourism, hospitality and retail, precinct managers, as well as the regional tourism organisation Visit Sunshine Coast.
The Stakeholder Interest Group is made up of community group representatives and locals with an interest in Mooloolaba.
The next stage of the foreshore’s revitalisation includes new viewing decks, parkland and picnic areas, landscaping, public amenities including a Changing Places toilet facility, beach showers, a terraced seawall and a broad, accessible coastal pathway.
Stage 1, the Northern Parkland, opened in June 2022.
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