A development group has doubled down on its offer to deliver the final stage of a foreshore redevelopment as a part of a mega-hotel project, as its controversial plan opens to public notification.
Aria Property Group has lodged plans with Sunshine Coast Council to add two more levels to its already-approved 14-storey hotel project at 1 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba.
The application seeks a change to the current approval to increase the height of the development to 69.85m, up from 55m, making it 16 storeys plus a rooftop area.
An extra 50 hotel rooms are also proposed, bringing the total to 201, in addition to 46 residential apartments, a food and drink outlet, bar, shop and rooftop pool.
As part of the proposal, the developer is offering to fund Stage 3 of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project, saying it wants assurance the public parkland construction will not “compromise the opening and operation of the hotel”.
The application to change the current approval was submitted in October last year. The council issued an information request the next month, with Project Urban responding to that on behalf of Aria on February 6.
In its request, council officers note the proposed foreshore revitalisation design is generally in line with council’s expectations, except for the omission of children’s water play, and asks for a revised construction cost.
The response provides updated figures that put the total foreshore works cost at $9.1 million, up from $6.6 million, with delivery proposed across three stages.
“The only item not included within the revised cost is the inclusion of a children’s water play area,” it says.
“This omission reflects a balanced and functional foreshore outcome, as the originally identified facility would have reduced usable open lawn space and increased hardscape within a highly valued coastal park setting. Given the site’s proximity to a patrolled beach, the facility was also assessed as providing limited additional recreational benefit relative to its operational, maintenance and lifecycle costs.”
The response goes on to reiterate the developer’s commitment to delivering the foreshore works.
“Aria’s proposal remains to fully fund and deliver the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project – Southern Parklands Stage 3 at no cost to the community and significantly earlier than would be achievable through council delivery,” it says.
“To provide certainty, Aria offers to enter into an infrastructure agreement securing the delivery of the full scope of works.”
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The council information request also calls for further justification for the proposed 14.95m increase to building height, including “amended plans showing a rationalisation of floor-to-floor heights”, alongside revised shadow diagrams and a 3D model.
In its response, Project Urban said increased floor-to-floor heights were needed for “improved integration” with the foreshore works”, and to meet “minimum brand standard” ceiling heights for a five-star hotel and its function room.
The request also expresses some concern around retention of trees within the foreshore design, saying “more detailed design documentation would be beneficial”.
“While the applicant is proposing a net increase in trees, the plans include removal of some existing mature trees of significance that council officers believe can and should retained (e.g. the large casuarina in front of the Mooloolaba Surf Club entry and some Norfolk Island pines),” it says.
A response by Place Design Group says three significant mature trees will be retained, but that “other trees are unable to be retained due to the significant change of (ground) levels”.
The original proposal for the 2588sqm site at 1 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba, was submitted in 2019 and approved by the council in 2021.
An economic benefit assessment prepared by Urbis says the project would have a total construction investment of $252 million and create 513 jobs a year during construction, reducing to 195 jobs once operational.
The application includes expressions of interest from hotel operators Accor, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott International and IHG Hotels and Resorts.
Aria Property Group is a privately owned Brisbane-based property development company that started in 2003.
The application is subject to public notification, which opened on February 11 and runs until March 4. Members of the public can have their say here.
It comes as construction on Stage 2 of the foreshore revitalisation project ramps up again following the summer holidays.
An update from council said works this month would include demolition and piling, shaping of the embankment, construction of new seawall terraces in front of the surf club, and installation of underground services.
More than 450 underground piles are now in place, marking a transition into the more complex phases of seawall construction. However, the highly technical nature of the structure and longer-than-expected concrete shaping and curing times have delayed the opening of the first completed section front of the surf club until May.
The program is on target to be completed by early 2027.
