A health and commercial development that will form the centrepiece of a new Sunshine Coast business precinct has been given the green light.
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) approved plans on October 8 for a medical hub, early learning centre, commercial buildings and landscaped green space within Baringa Business Village.
The development, known as the precinct’s “village heart”, is proposed for a 7731sqm site near the corner of Graf Drive and Aura Boulevard.
Endorsed plans show an 800sqm Ochre Medical and radiology facility, a 111-place Joy Early Learning centre and two commercial tenancies providing a combined 809sqm of floor space.
The medical facility is planned to become the permanent home of the Caloundra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, which currently operates from temporary premises at Little Mountain.
The development will also incorporate a 662sqm landscaped park, with seating, shade trees and outdoor dining areas, along with 84 on-site parking spaces.
The commercial tenancies are approved for a range of potential uses, including shops, food premises, business activities and indoor sport and recreation.
The project forms part of Stockland’s wider Baringa Business Village, a commercial and employment precinct planned to accommodate a range of businesses and community services.
A construction start date has not been confirmed.
The approval comes amid wider infrastructure progress across the Caloundra South masterplanned community, including the completion of a new telecommunications tower and continued work on the emerging city centre, which is now formally recognised as Aura Central.
The Queensland government approved the boundary change following community consultation, transferring about 90 hectares from Bells Creek to the new locality.
The area is being developed as Aura’s main retail, recreation and commercial hub, with the boundary change also intended to improve address identification for postal, emergency and other essential services.
A Stockland spokesperson said further details about progress across the entire 2323ha Aura development were expected to be released in coming weeks.
However, the developer’s published project updates outline several milestones expected over the coming months.
Among them is the telecommunications tower at Banya, where Telstra is expected to begin installing equipment this month.
It is hoped services will become operational by the end of November, improving connectivity for residents.
The 30m monopole, delivered by telecommunications infrastructure company Waveconn, was also designed to accommodate Optus and TPG equipment in the future, although dates for those carriers have not been announced.
Meanwhile, construction is continuing on the much-anticipated 5.3ha Aura Parklands, which is expected to now open in early 2027, according to an October 14 Stockland update.
The precinct, located within Aura Central and adjoining the future town centre, will include a swimming lagoon, water play areas, playgrounds, picnic and barbecue facilities and spaces for community events.
The town centre itself is forecast to open late next year. Spanning about 16,300sqm, the first stage will include Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets alongside two mini-majors and about 55 specialty retailers and kiosks.
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Several road projects are also approaching completion, including the duplication of Aura Boulevard between Bells Creek Arterial Road and Edwards Terrace, forecast to open in November.
Further duplication works through northern Nirimba are expected to be completed in early 2027, while construction is underway on a new connection between Central Avenue and Western Drive to link Banya, Nirimba and Aura Central.
