Sekisui House today released preliminary plans for a proposed development on its 20 hectare beachside land holding at Yaroomba.
Evan Aldridge Senior Development Manager Sekisui House said the company was still in the very early planning stages for the site, but wanted to release facts and images on the proposal so the community was providing feedback on correct information.
“We are currently investigating an option for a five star hotel, retail and public precinct on the site, as well as residential and aged care facilities,” Mr Aldridge said.
“A hotel, retail and residential development would open up the site to the community, create jobs, and have a positive flow on effect to local business in the Coolum area and the broader Sunshine Coast.
“We estimate that on the site, 4500 jobs would be created during the development, and more than 620 permanent jobs would be created if this project goes ahead.”
Economic studies indicate that the flow on effect for local businesses would create an additional 1500 jobs, and inject $73 million tourism dollars every year for the Sunshine Coast region if a five star hotel of that size were to go ahead.
“In comparison to the current planning scheme, building site coverage has been significantly reduced from 40 per cent site coverage, to just 15 per cent site coverage,” Mr Aldridge said.
“Including a range of building heights from 3 to 10 storeys enables 85 per cent of the site to be retained as open and green space, for the community to enjoy. Community facilities could include parks, picnic and BBQ areas.
“All proposed buildings on the site are set back 188 metres from the high water mark. The setback behind the dune, and the retention of existing trees, means that the buildings will hardly be able to be seen from the beach.
“Existing vegetation along the David Low Way would also screen the majority of buildings from view from the street.”
Sekisui House is seeking feedback from the community on these preliminary plans at a series of information sessions at Coolum and at shopping centres throughout the coast.
The Coolum Community Information sessions are scheduled for:
The Coolum Community Centre, Park Street, Coolum Beach
10am – 2pm Saturday 18th October 2014
4pm – 8pm Friday 24th October 2014
To register your interest to attend the information sessions, visit www.yaroombanextgen.com.au, email info@yaroombanextgen.com.au or call the dedicated Community Liaison Line on (07) 3210 7785.
“In order to make a new hotel investment viable, we need to be more innovative in our planning and design. This also provides greater opportunities to implement improved sustainability systems, which will reduce energy consumption.
“This will be a world class precinct which will give a major boost to tourism and investment into the Sunshine Coast.
“We will continue to liaise with Council as we work through our engagement with the community.
“We will then need to go through the Council’s planning and development assessment process, which will include a number of opportunities for the public to comment on the development.”
Sekisui House expects to be ready to lodge a Development Application with Council in late 2015.
Related: Mayor Jamieson’s comments upon the release of these plans are here.