A major makeover is ramping up in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, where the well-known Loo with a View and a 1960s seawall will be replaced.
Stage 2 of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project – the Central Meeting Place and Southern Seawall – has entered full swing.
The precinct will feature modern amenities, a new seawall, viewing deck, open spaces and accessible pathways.
Councillor Tim Burns said the start of works was “a significant step in creating a world-class beachfront destination”.
The loo, which is at the centre of a tourist hub, will soon be decommissioned, with parts of the structure to be salvaged and reused.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News the structure had become a local landmark since the 1980s but it no longer met community needs or accessibility standards.
“The Loo with a View has been a part of Mooloolaba’s identity since the ’80s,” they said.
“For locals and visitors, it’s served as a pretty iconic landmark, when you’re trying to work out where to meet for lunch or check out the surf conditions.
“But we also recognise the need to replace it with modern, compliant and accessible amenities, so we can meet the needs of today’s community as well as the people who’ll be enjoying Mooloolaba decades from now.
“The ageing Loo with a View is in very poor condition.”
The new amenities block will echo the style of the Northern Parkland facilities, featuring unisex cubicles, family rooms, a Changing Places room and improved access and ocean views.
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Meanwhile, the decades-old and battered vertical seawall will be rebuilt using a refined secant pier design to strengthen the foreshore, while improving beach access and resilience to climate impacts.
The new design also includes a refined deck and path alignments, while a sand renourishment program is planned to complement it.
Stage 2 works will be delivered in four phases, by contractor SEE Group, with more than $20 million in funding from federal and state governments.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the initiative was vital.
“This funding will help protect homes, businesses and our iconic beachfront from the impacts of severe weather and rising seas, while creating a safer, more welcoming space for families and visitors to gather year-round,” she said.
The project is expected to be completed by early 2027.
Councillor Joe Natoli, who opposed the demolition of the loo, paid tribute to the facility on social media.
“It is a sad day for me to see the end of this iconic building,” he said. “It has been a meeting place for locals and many memories and stories.”
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He encouraged people to support nearby businesses during Stage 2 works.
“Now that the decision has been made, we all need to get behind this and support the local businesses during the next 18 months,” he said.
Cr Burns said it was essentially business as usual along the beach and esplanade.
“Council’s project team, Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce and Visit Sunshine Coast are working together to support local businesses, minimise disruption and continue to keep Mooloolaba open for all to enjoy while the revitalisation takes place,” he said.
VSC CEO Matt Stoeckel also encouraged locals and tourists to support retailers in the area.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important to continue visiting Mooloolaba,” he said.
“Our accommodation providers, cafés, boutiques and tourism operators are open and ready to welcome you.”
The council has worked with a Business Activation Group to roll out a support plan for local traders, including installations, activations and initiatives to maintain foot traffic and community spirit during the works.
Access to the beach and esplanade remains open, with signage, temporary facilities and free-four parking in place.
