Monday, 11 January, 2016
Greenfield start to new CBD means chance to define city’s culture The Sunshine Coast is not Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or the Gold Coast. The new city heart at Maroochydore will determine who we are and how we grow. SunCentral Maroochydore has signalled the start of construction on the new CBD site, inviting tenders for bulk earthworks for the first stage of the development, to start early this year.
The works will prepare part of the former 53ha golf course for construction of civil works, including roads, landscaping and public areas. SunCentral Maroochydore CEO, John Knaggs, said the design, development and finalisation of the city heart was a very important phase.
“We get one shot at it – the design and construction of the new city street layouts, the urban amenity, the parkland and waterways that are key features of this new city centre and the commercial configuration of properties – the bones of the new city centre at Maroochydore. “It’s fantastic to be involved in it.
“The first phases will be challenging, but it will set the goal posts. “The timing is right. We need to go hard at it. “It’s really important that we move now and have a stake in developing the job prospects in this northern part of south-east Queensland – the fastest growing region in Australia.” The bulk earthworks contract marks the beginning of the construction phase, which is expected to create about 14,000 jobs over the life of the project. Stage 1 will be to the north of the site and produce a cityscape to attract early movers.
The official sod-turning to mark the start is expected in February. The type of inquiry SunCentral has been receiving is gratifying, Mr Knaggs said. “It’s a positive sign, but a lot of hard work is needed to turn it into reality.” Industry and community feedback has been a real positive to the project, with business and entrepreneurial interests indicating a strong appreciation of the urban nature of the project. “They understand the city-making nature of the project and the information and technology needed for building from the ground up. There is a new generation of entrepreneurs – a very interesting mix,” Mr Knaggs said. “We are ensuring that the smart city philosophy embeds itself in the design of the centre. “We are seeing some really smart ideas around street infrastructure, lighting, traffic, parking, signage, energy and water, sensors and telecommunications – the way urban systems can be more dynamic.
“How individuals engage with all aspects of a new city centre – when apps are ubiquitous and when most businesses are switched on to technology opportunities. That is the sort of technology we are going to have to make real, and we need to have sufficient flexibility in design to allow it to happen. “We need to supply Wi-Fi above ground, but below ground as we construct, we need to maintain robust networks, provide the matrix of fibre optics businesses rely on. We need them all. It’s exciting that we can make it happen from a greenfield start – and be able to mesh into the businesses already here in an already growing Maroochydore.” He said there were many potential stakeholders in this city who know what they like. “They and their businesses have grown up here. They have travelled, experienced some great cities elsewhere and returned. “Out of the suburban nature of the Sunshine Coast, why can’t we see some of that, in an outstanding streetscape and public realm that combines commerce, culture, people and art in an urban, city setting?
It’s Maroochydore’s time.
By Erle Levey
Sunshine Coast Daily Editorial
Saturday January 9, 2016
Posted in Press Clippings
