The Sunshine Coast is set to be home to a new waterpark after Aussie World’s proposal to build a $60 million facility was given the green light.
The plan to build the waterpark on privately owned land to the north of the existing Palmview attraction was approved, subject to conditions, by Sunshine Coast Council on March 6.
Aussie World’s parent company Timevale Pty Ltd initially submitted the development application in June 2024, with the concept design featuring 16 waterslides for all ages and numerous pools and waterplay areas.
The waterpark is also set to include food and beverage outlets, a pool bar, sun lounges, cabanas and souvenir shop.
The council issued a request for further information in July 2024, with Aussie World responding via town planners Project Urban in June last year. Further advice was provided by council in July, with the applicants replying in December.
The council’s approval includes 105 conditions and has a currency period of six years.
A minimum of 655 car parking spaces must be provided, with a two-storey car park to be built along Frizzo Connection Road, more than doubling the current capacity at Aussie World.
The conditions also include measures to minimise impacts on residents of the Palmview Forest estate to the west, with the advice from council noting it had received a petition with about 300 signatures expressing concerns.
“The residents raise residential amenity concerns, in particular about the proximity of the proposed rides and potential noise impacts,” it said.
The conditions say any buildings, excluding waterslides, are limited to a maximum height of 15 metres. All slides must also be set back at least 50 metres from the western boundary, and any within 70 metres of that boundary are not permitted to exceed 35 metres.
“Retention of a 30-metre-wide vegetated area (which will continue to contain mature trees) will also assist in visually screening the proposed development from nearby residences,” the documents state.
Project Urban notes Aussie World also conducted a survey, with about 91 per cent of 765 respondents indicating support, and that some adjustments were made to the initial proposal in response to setback concerns.
“The overall extent of the waterpark has been retained. However, rides have been relocated within the development footprint,” it said.
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An Aussie World spokesperson said the theme park was cautiously excited about the milestone.
“The Sunshine Coast Council’s approval of Aussie World’s proposed waterpark is a very positive development and an encouraging step forward for the project,” they said.
“However the approval comes with 105 conditions that we need to carefully review before we can progress any further, and this will take time.
“After an initial discussion with consultants, it appears there may be several conditions that could be challenging to meet in their current form and it is likely we will need to return to council with a proposal seeking modifications to some of these conditions.
“We remain optimistic and will provide further updates as we progress.”
Architectural plans by Future Design World provide more details about the plans for the waterpark.
“The overall theming treatment for the Aussie World Water Park is based on nature and native Australian flora and fauna,” it says.
“Area treatments will feature native animal names, topiary and themed elements such as life-size animal sculptures. The architecture sets a backdrop for generous native landscaping, feature trellises, terraced rockwork and passive solar design based architectural treatments.
“The buildings are intended to create a subtropical open-air indoor/outdoor vernacular using classic Australian building materials including corrugated iron roofs and cladding as well as natural timber elements.
“In conjunction with the architectural theme, the waterpark will be nature and native Australian animal-themed with lush subtropical landscaping endemic to the Sunshine Coast. The waterpark will have Australian animal-based attraction names, signage and theming opportunities that appeal to both young and old while continuing the Aussie World celebration of everything Australiana.”
The plan also includes clearing about 2.9 hectares of vegetation, some of which Project Urban notes has previously been disturbed and is currently used for skirmish. The clearing will be offset through financial contributions and a rehabilitation plan.
A bus set-down area, passenger loading zone and bus-only lane, as well as upgrades to the intersection of Frizzo Connection Road and Pignata Road, and the northern access to the site from Frizzo Connection Road, are also required.
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Aussie World has previously said the waterpark will draw an estimated 780,000 annual visitors by 2031, generating $15.2 million to $30 million towards the local tourism economy and up to $39 million through the three-year construction period. It will create employment for 193 full-time staff during the peak season and 87 full-time staff during non-peak periods.
“The waterpark will continue to strengthen the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as the tourism capital of Queensland for families and young adults, adding to the already exceptional line-up of tourist attractions across the region,” general manager Jenny Howell said in 2024.
Aussie World has been operating on the site since 1989.
The approval says the waterpark can operate from 7am-7pm Sunday to Wednesday and public holidays, and 7am-10pm Thursday to Saturday. It is expected to have a maximum capacity of 1800 patrons per day.
