Work is ramping up on a major expansion of an industrial hub that could inject $65 million a year into the Sunshine Coast economy, but locals warn the booming precinct is outpacing much-needed road and transport upgrades.
The Coolum Eco Industrial Park Stage 2A expansion has been hailed as a much-needed project to support manufacturing, logistics and building materials sectors.
The park, established in 2010, has 35 lots. The next stage will include nine lots ranging from 7800sqm to 23,000sqm. Future stages are likely to be released, with the potential for another 22 lots.
But some locals expressed concerns that local roads and paths are inadequate and they have called for planned transport improvements – including more lanes, a new interchange and paths – be fast-tracked.
An Economic Development Queensland spokesperson said the precinct, on Quanda Road, was a crucial business hub for the region.
“The Coolum Eco Industrial Park is a significant development for the Sunshine Coast economy and its community,” they said.
The spokesperson expected the underway stage to be a boon.
“Economic modelling for Stage 2A estimates it will create a further 440 jobs, supporting local businesses to grow, and is estimated to contribute $65 million annually to the local economy,” they said.
The EDQ issued a media release lauding the importance of the expansion.
“(It) will unlock 18 hectares of high-impact industrial land in the northern Sunshine Coast … at a time when demand for larger industrial sites continues to outpace supply,” it stated.
“Strategically located just five minutes from the Sunshine Motorway and Coolum CBD, the precinct offers 24-hour operational potential (subject to council approval), making it ideal for businesses with diverse and complex needs, from advanced manufacturing and logistics to clean-tech and construction supply.”
The department said the expansion would provide opportunities for small family-owned businesses and major enterprises to expand, innovate and create local jobs.
The growing precinct is on the western side of the Sunshine Motorway, opposite the township of Coolum Beach. It’s already home to a thriving business sector, where sites are in high demand.
A huge 38-industrial unit development, by Felix Capital, that is almost built in the established section of the industrial park has attracted significant interest, with almost 50 per cent of them sold.
“There’s been an incredible take up in sales,” Ray White Commercial property consultant Tallon Permenter said.
“Each unit has all the modern bells and whistles including a kitchenette, bathroom and a practical mezzanine area, ensuring every square metre is utilised to its full potential.”
He said high-quality industrial sites close to Sunshine Coast Airport and Maroochydore were highly prized.
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But the rollout of Stage 2A, including additional businesses, has prompted some locals to express concerns about inaccessibility. They called for urgent upgrades to local transport networks.
Fiona Antonucci said, via a community Facebook page, that current road connections to and from the industrial park were “terrible” and pedestrian and active transport connections are “non-existent”.
“The Queensland Government needs to bring forward the upgrade of the connection between Coolum-Yandina Road and Sunshine Coast Motorway and create active transport connections,” she said.
Sue Bird said that traffic can be banked “all the way back to the access from the industrial area to the (motorway) roundabout”.
They were among several locals to also suggest that Coolum-Yandina Road was inadequate for the amount of traffic that travelled on it.
The state government is considering improvements between the industrial park and Coolum Beach as part of a planned upgrade of a long section of the Sunshine Motorway.
The proposal includes duplicating lanes between Pacific Paradise and Coolum Beach, a new grade-separated interchange and on and off-ramps where the bustling Coolum-Yandina roundabout is, and a new connection from that intersection to Corbould Road near the industrial park.
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It also features active transport paths, including motorway underpasses north and south of the intersection.
Local Dan Simpson said an interchange upgrade would be a “good start” and it would “allow traffic to flow”.
But costs, timings and a concerted commitment to go through with the proposal will depend on a thorough analysis of it.
The project webpage stated that preliminary evaluation is nearing completion.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the state government has committed $40 million to deliver two south-facing motorway ramps on the Sunshine Motorway at West Coolum Road, and is also continuing to plan for duplication of the motorway between David Low Way and Yandina-Coolum Road.
“Duplication of the motorway from two to four lanes will help improve safety, connectivity and efficiency and accommodate future growth in the area,” the spokesperson said.
“This planning includes provision for a grade-separated interchange at Yandina-Coolum Road and an active transport pathway.”
Outcomes from a community consultation will inform a business case planning next year, but project timelines for motorway duplication, the interchange at Yandina-Coolum Road, and the active transport pathway will depend on funding availability and the prioritisation of competing infrastructure projects across Queensland.
The spokesperson also said there were no upgrades planned at Yandina-Coolum Road but the department carried out inspections and safety issues were repaired as quickly.
The state government has completed road upgrades in the area in recent years, including installing traffic lights at the intersection near Coolum State School, and resealing along 5km of Yandina-Coolum Road.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
