An eight-storey mixed-use development approved for a high-profile coastal site is the subject of another time-related application, with documents showing the project remains in detailed design and costing almost eight years after it was first approved.
The latest application relates to the approved development across 46 Brisbane Road and 39 and 41 Smith Street, with planning documents describing the site as three consolidated lots fronting Brisbane Road, Tarcoola Avenue and Smith Street.
The latest application before Sunshine Coast Council relates to the operational works surrounding the development.
Earlier this month, Adams + Sparkes Town Planning, on behalf of landowner Dixing International Pty Ltd, lodged a request to amend a sunset clause attached to the operational works approval.
The change would align the operational works deadline with the timeline for the broader project, which council extended earlier this year.
The applicant wants to push the operational works deadline out from December 22, 2026, to July 25, 2028.
The latest application states the development “has not yet been acted upon and the project remains in the detailed design and costing phase with the selected builder”.
The proposed change is described in planning documents as administrative and consequential, rather than a redesign.
“The change is limited to the timing mechanism in Condition 52 and does not alter the approved operational works, approved plans, nature of the works, scale, extent, design response, or the relationship of the works to the approved mixed use development,” the Adams + Sparkes letter states.
The application follows council’s decision earlier this year to extend the currency period of the main development approval by two years.
The council assessment report for the extension stated the applicant had sought the extra two years “in order to allow the developer ample time to commence and finalise the project”.
It said the 4238sqm site was vacant and within the District Centre Zone and Mooloolaba/Alexandra Headland Local Plan Area.
The original development approval took effect in July 2018.
At that time, the approval was for 88 motel rooms, 54 multiple dwelling units, shops and food and drink outlets, including restaurant space.
The building was approved with a 25m, eight-storey component fronting Brisbane Road and Tarcoola Avenue, and an 18m, six-storey component fronting Smith Street.
The project has undergone several changes since the 2018 approval.
In March 2022, council approved a minor change that reduced the number of multiple dwelling units from 54 to 51 and added a new rooftop level with prescribed rooftop uses, including a food and drink outlet, conference room and two function rooms.
In January 2024, council approved another change, with the development description amended to 56 motel rooms, 67 multiple dwelling units, shops and food and drink outlets.
That change also removed the rooftop function and conference rooms, relocated the hotel pool and gym to ground level and included a rooftop pool for exclusive use by residents.
In November 2025, council approved a further minor change that shifted the mix again, reducing the short-term accommodation component to 45 hotel rooms and increasing the residential to 75 multiple dwelling units.
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The revised residential units would comprise 40 two-bedroom units and 35 three-bedroom units.
Ground-floor tenancy areas were also reconfigured and reduced from 655sqm to 490sqm, with flexibility sought for those spaces to be used as retail or food and drink outlets depending on market demand.
The total number of carparking spaces was unchanged at 186.
Council’s November decision notice report said the applicant had taken steps to progress the development, including lodgement and approval of an operational works application and permit, lodgement of a building works application and lodgement and approval of several change applications.
It also said the application was code assessable and was not publicly notified.
“As such, the opportunity for community awareness about the development is not diminished by extending the currency of the existing approval.”
The latest operational works application is listed as in progress on council’s development portal.
