A popular Mexican restaurant chain has applied to establish another outlet on the Sunshine Coast, in an area already brimming with fast-food options.
Guzman y Gomez is seeking a material change of use for a food and drink outlet, including dual drive-through lanes, at 209 and 211 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs.
The 6650sqm site is currently vacant and located next to the recently developed Ampol service centre that includes a drive-through McDonald’s and KFC.
To the north is the Sippy Downs Police Station and to the west is Chancellor State College and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
A town planning report, submitted to Sunshine Coast Council by Urbis on behalf of applicant Guzman y Gomez Limited, says the proposal would be a logical expansion to the existing quick-service precinct.
“The proposed development involves a new Guzman Y Gomez restaurant, which seeks to improve the retail offering in the area through providing additional contemporary and varied food service offering,” it states.
“The inclusion of a food and drink outlet use with drive-through facilities will complement the surrounding uses and enhance the food service offering of the area.
“Specifically, the proposed drive-through facilities are compatible with the other motor vehicle-based uses operating on adjoining premises.”
The restaurant would include a 250sqm food and drink outlet and a 49sqm alfresco seating area. The dual-lane drive-through would have queuing space for up to 13 vehicles, and car parking would be provided for 47 vehicles.
The report says the hours of operation would be 24/7.
The site is zoned Community Facilities – Emergency Services but the report says that land use intent has evolved since the zoning was adopted.
“Specifically, at the time the zoning was adopted, the site was owned by the state government and intended for emergency services uses. However, the land has since been deemed surplus to requirements and unsuitable for emergency services,” it states.
“As such, the land has been sold for private development purposes. In this regard, the proposed food and drink outlet with drive-through facilities represents an appropriate outcome for the site.”
The report says the proposal would deliver economic benefits through capital investment and job creation during the construction and operational phases, and that traffic would not be impacted.
“The development is anticipated to generate 59 vehicles per hour during peak periods, including both inbound and outbound movements,” it states.
“This level of traffic generation is not expected to significantly impact the operations of the existing external road network.”
The first GYG opened in the Sydney suburb of Newtown in October 2006. The chain now includes more than 220 restaurants across Australia, Singapore, Japan and the US.
The Sippy Downs outlet would be the fifth on the Sunshine Coast, joining the restaurants at Birtinya, Caloundra, Kawana Shoppingworld and Maroochydore. Another GYG is planned for Baringa.
The development application requires impact assessment, meaning it will undergo public notification at a later stage.
