A major urban renewal project has been approved, marking another step in the evolution of one of the Sunshine Coast’s key town centres and adding to the region’s growing pipeline of higher-density developments.
The development permit, lodged by Caloundra No. 1 Pty Ltd, was approved by Sunshine Coast Council on July 2, allowing the redevelopment of the prominent site at 139 Bulcock Street and 70, 72, 74 and 76 Omrah Avenue in Caloundra.
The project will deliver a mix of residential, retail and dining uses as part of a major overhaul of the long-standing Suncourt Motel site.
The approval marks a major step forward for the 6167sqm site, which was sold for $17 million in late 2025 to HM Investments Omrah Pty Ltd and HM Project Marketing Pty Ltd.
The land had previously held approval for a smaller staged mixed-use project featuring 70 apartments, ground-floor commercial space and a four-level medical and commercial building.
The latest proposal represents a significant expansion of those plans, with the approved development to deliver 170 apartments across four towers, along with commercial tenancies, rooftop recreation areas and a pedestrian connection linking Bulcock Street and Omrah Avenue.
The former Suncourt Motel, which operated from the prominent site for more than 50 years, will make way for the redevelopment. The neighbouring Cali Backpackers site is not included in the application.
The project forms part of Caloundra’s Key Site 2 precinct, one of several catalyst redevelopment areas identified by Sunshine Coast Council to encourage higher-density mixed-use projects aimed at reshaping the CBD and supporting long-term urban renewal.
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The approved buildings will reach up to 30 metres in height and will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Parking is planned across ground and podium levels, with 248 car spaces, 22 motorcycle spaces and 225 bicycle spaces proposed as part of the development.
A key condition attached to the approval relates to stormwater management, with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) requiring the developer to ensure the project does not affect the operation of nearby state-controlled roads.
Under the condition, stormwater generated by the development must not create new discharge points onto state-controlled roads, increase the concentration or velocity of flows, interfere with existing drainage infrastructure, surcharge culverts or drains, or obstruct overland flow paths. The requirement applies at all times.
SARA assessed the proposal against State Code 1: development in a state-controlled road environment, and determined it would not increase the likelihood of accidents or serious injury, adversely affect the efficiency of the road network, or impact active transport infrastructure.
Sunshine Coast Council’s decision notice states the application was assessed against the relevant planning benchmarks, including the Caloundra Local Plan Code, Major Centre Zone Code, Multi-Unit Residential Uses Code, Transport and Parking Code and Stormwater Management Code.
Council determined the proposal complied with the applicable assessment benchmarks once conditions were applied and issued an approval with conditions.
The redevelopment is expected to become one of the most significant additions to Caloundra’s evolving town centre, with the Key Site 2 precinct identified as an important area for future housing, employment and commercial activity.
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.
