Construction has officially started on a new town centre that will feature two prominent grocery stores and a range of services.
Stockland has commenced work on the Aura Town Centre, a major retail, dining and entertainment precinct within the developer’s largest master-planned community on the Sunshine Coast.
Spanning about 16,300sqm, the first stage of the centre will feature Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets alongside two mini-majors and about 55 specialty retailers and kiosks.
Stockland executive general manager town centres Marco Ettorr said it was a key moment.
“Today marks an important milestone for both our retail business and the Aura community, with construction now underway on the new Aura Town Centre,” he said.
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“The project showcases the strength of Stockland’s diversified business, as we work with our residential teams and partner with industry, government, and tenants, to deliver everyday essentials close to home.
“More than that, we’re creating the heart for a growing community, with the town centre underpinning the 100-hectare Aura City Centre and bringing together parklands, open space, retail, dining, and entertainment.”
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie joined representatives from Stockland and the wider community at Aura to officially break ground on Thursday.
He said the town centre would be crucial to the region.
“Queensland is open for business and delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy,” he said.
“A thriving community needs a heart and helps make a development a place to call home.
“The Aura community is a key part of the Caloundra South Priority Development Area and the Crisafulli Government moved quickly to approve this new precinct, so locals finally have shops, dining and fun at their doorstep.”
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton also said it was an exciting milestone for Aura and the wider Caloundra region.
“As our community continues to grow, it’s essential that infrastructure, services and local job opportunities grow with it,” she said.
“Importantly, this development will help strengthen Aura as a connected and vibrant community hub, a place where families can shop, meet, work and enjoy quality open spaces all in one location.
“I look forward to seeing this next chapter of Aura’s growth come to life.”
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said the centre would be a vibrant area.
“It’s wonderful to see this town centre taking shape, bringing the heart of this growing community to life,” she said.
“This will be a place where people can truly connect, meet friends and enjoy everything on offer – with active transport options and local services all close by to support a strong and thriving community.
“This new centre will continue to make Aura an even more attractive and welcoming place to call home.”
Woolworths Queensland senior property portfolio manager leasehold Anthony Duggan said the grocery giant was “excited” to have entered into a lease agreement with Stockland for a new store in the centre.
“Customers will have the opportunity to shop in-store from a range of everyday essentials or place an order for Direct to Boot or home delivery,” he said.
“This modern Woolworths supermarket will create a number of jobs throughout construction, and ongoing, to complement and support the growing region.”
Designed to connect with the 5.3-hectare Aura Parklands, currently under construction, the town centre will sit alongside the future Aura Hotel operated by the Comiskey Group – creating the retail and mixed-use heart of the 100-hectare Aura City Centre.
Developed, owned and managed by Stockland, the Aura Town Centre is being built by FDC Construction & Fitout and is expected to open in late 2027.
Over the next 20 years, the community is expected to grow to more than 50,000 residents across 20,000 homes, while supporting more than 15,000 jobs across the region.
