A significant site earmarked for an aged care facility is still sitting vacant 18 years after an application was first lodged to build on the land.
In 2007 Sundale applied to Noosa Council to build a facility at Tewantin before a lengthy process eventuated in a Planning and Environment Court win in 2015.
The applicant has now applied for an extension to currency period to develop the more than 17-hectare site at 82-100 McKinnon Drive.
While the initial application was lodged with Noosa Council, the then-amalgamated Sunshine Coast Regional Council refused the development on September 25, 2012.
Sundale subsequently appealed to the Planning and Environment Court and on March 20, 2015, the court approved the application subject to conditions.
Between March 2018 and June 2021 Sundale applied to Noosa Council for a series of operational work permits to undertake earthworks, external intersection works and internal civil works on the site.
Aside from the approved operational works, the site has remained largely undeveloped.
On March 13 the applicant lodged to extend the currency period for the first stage of works, which was due to lapse on March 20, by four years to March 20, 2029.
The development is also subject to a sunset clause imposed by the Planning and Environment Court, which applies to the whole development application, and will expire on March 20, 2027.
To extend the sunset clause, Sundale would need to make an application to the court.
A letter to Noosa Council, submitted by lawyers as part of documentation for the extension application, referenced that Sundale had shifted its attention to other locations following the pandemic.
The letter also outlined Sundale had outlaid millions of dollars to continue monthly maintenance on the site.
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“The events of Covid disrupted works on site and the intentions of Sundale was prioritised and shifted elsewhere,” the letter stated.
“Sundale has undergone management shifts and the introduction of a new CEO in mid-2024 has refocused Sundale’s attention to continuing works at the Tewantin site, along with other sites.
“The applicant has invested in excess of $13.5 million at the site and has continued to invest in works at the site to maintain it.”
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According to the Sundale website, the Tewantin site would “feature a blend of care apartments, small cluster housing options, independent living units, a clubhouse and a specialist care delivery centre”.
It is understood the development would be called Bella Noosa Retirement Community and Care Centre and include independent studio, one- or two-bedroom apartments.
Noosa Council told Sunshine Coast News the land is zoned as Community Facilities meaning any future use on the site other than the approved facility would have to reflect the planning scheme.
“Under the current planning scheme, the site is zoned Community Facilities and is annotated residential care facility,” a statement for the council said.
“This means council’s preferred development on the site is a residential care facility.
“That aside, there are a range of other consistent uses which can be undertaken if a development permit for material change of use is obtained.”
These uses could include a hospital, place of worship, childcare centre, retirement facility, community use, community care centre, club, health care service, funeral parlour, environment facility or outdoor sport and recreation.
Sunshine Coast News has contacted Sundale for further comment.
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.
