Wednesday, 2 October, 2013
Picturesque parklands built on the banks of scenic waterways and surrounded by cafes, high-rise building and a futuristic arts and convention centre, a light rail system and wide pedestrian thoroughfares… Maroochydore’s city centre is set to become the business, community and employment hub of the Sunshine Coast. At a UDIA Sunshine Coast lunch meeting artist’s impressions and video were screened for the first time, revealing ambitious plans for the transformation of Horton Parl gold course into a new regional city heart.
Unveiling the plans, Mayor Mark Jamieson said the 60ha-plus site would provide a heart for a lot of those civic and cultural opportunities that have been missing.
“It is all about trying to give the Sunshine Coast a real centre.
“It’s open space and waterways which is really what the heart of our region is all about.”
Council major urban development’s manager Ron Piper said the most outstanding feature of the planned city centre was the waterways.
“People will come here and go away and remember the water and all that open space,” he said.
Council urban development’s manager Mark Salmon said the new city heart would be a home to larger employers working in industries complementary to the Maroochydore CBD.
“We’d be looking at industries that would be complementary to a CBD,” he said. “I see no reason why all State Government departments need to be centrally located in Brisbane.
“We’re now going down the path of preparing the development scheme and I’d say that within the next 12-month period we will be in a position where we will be actively targeting those users.”
Cr Jamieson said Maroochydore central precinct (MCP) was a unique opportunity to develop a new city in a Greenfield site.
It was also a crucial part of securing the new economy for the Sunshine Coast.
“Maroochydore is part of our natural advantage and an opportunity we aim to take full advantage of. The (Sunshine Coast) Economic Strategy plan is now being finalised and looks set to be released next month.
“At the core of the strategy is the ability to respond to demands from elsewhere. ”CR Jamieson said the MCP was a game changer project.
“Having a capital (city) does not erode other communities but gives a strong regional point.
“A civic, commercial, cultural and recreational centre that will be a valuable boost for construction and have strong appeal to cultural and international visitors.”
He said it was clear council would not be developing the city centre to complete with existing business but delivering roads and infrastructure to better enable development to occur.
“By working together and playing our part we can all benefit from a vibrant city centre. The importance of this opportunity cannot be lost.”
Council’s acquisition of the 53ha site will allow much-needed infrastructure to be built.
Cr Jamieson will be pushing for an early start on major roadworks and infrastructure, even running parallel with the gold club’s relocation. “We are on the cusp of a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We must get it right.”
Another key to creating an accessible city heart was improving the Coast’s public transport and access to international tourists.
“If we want to really maximise the hospital development, an international hotel, exhibition and convention centre and the potential for all sorts of international conventions here on the Sunshine Coast, then we’ve got to make it easy for people to be able to access.”
He said the council had undertaken a feasibility study around light rail.
“The plan is for it to run to Caloundra through the Kawana precinct to the principal activity centre and ultimately on to the airport.”
Posted in Press Clippings
