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Developer’s challenge to council refusal concludes

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The future of a prominent site remains unclear after an appeal over a rejected development proposal came to an end.

The 12,775sqm property at David Low Way in Pacific Paradise, which was the home of the former Pacific Paradise Bowls Club, was earmarked for a major project including 85 residential units, 39 short-term accommodation units and a 1086sqm food and drink outlet.

Sunshine Coast Council refused the proposal in July 2025 before Padstow Holdings Pty Ltd and Sherringham Holdings Pty Ltd launched an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court in September 2025.

But the appeal has not progressed.

Councillor Taylor Bunnag took to social media in late May to inform locals.

“I have been advised that the applicant (appellant) for the Pacific Paradise Bowls Club redevelopment has discontinued their court appeal,” he said.

“In July, council refused the application on several grounds, including sport and recreation zoning and height.

“In August, an appeal was lodged against council’s decision. The decision by the applicant/appellant to discontinue their case brings an end to this appeal.

“Like any other property, there may be future development applications lodged for the site which council would be required to consider.”

A P&E Court final order, signed by Judge Nicole Kefford, confirmed the news.

The former bowls club, pictured in 2025. Picture: Chris Gilmore

“With the consent of the parties it is ordered that the appeal be dismissed, on the limited basis that the appellants no longer intend to proceed with the development application the subject of the appeal.”

John Goulter, who has owned the North Shore Tavern and former Pacific Paradise Bowls Club site since the mid-1990s, also confirmed there was no movement.

“Nothing is currently happening with this project,” he told Sunshine Coast News.

SCN asked Mr Goulter if there were any fresh plans for the site but did not receive a response.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.auYou must include your name and suburb.

A development proposal was first pitched in 2023 before revised plans were submitted in early 2025.

A council officer’s report had recommended approval of the proposal, despite it exceeding the allowable height and not being consistent with it being partially zoned for Sport and Recreation.

The matter came before the council’s ordinary meeting in mid-July last year. It was recommended for approval, but councillor Bunnag moved an alternative motion to reject the proposal, which was carried nine votes to two.

The plans had included a three-storey (10.38m) building for residential units fronting Lerner Street, a four-storey (14.22m) building for residential units fronting Menzies Drive, a four-storey (14.86m) building with residential units fronting an existing car wash and service station on David Low Way, and a four-storey (15.91m) building for short-term accommodation and food and drink outlets.

An aerial view of the Pacific Paradise Bowls Club. Picture: Nearmap

It also included 276 car parking spaces, with 182 spaces in a basement for residential uses, short-term accommodation and food and drink outlets, and 94 spaces at ground level. The residential buildings would have been arranged around a communal space with pool, gym and residents’ lounge.

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.

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