Major development cited

NOOSA Civic Shopping Centre has lodged a major development application with Noosa Council to expand the current retail space to over 40,000 square metres.
Managing director of QIC Global Real Estate Steven Leigh confirmed the group had submitted the development application for the Noosa Civic site, which he said had been earmarked for development since the mid-1990s.
“Given the site’s strategic importance as a major business, retail, employment and community hub for the northern section of the Sunshine Coast region, the proposed development is the next logical step in the ongoing evolution of the Shire Business Centre, incorporating the Noosa Civic Shopping Centre,” he said.
The proposed development will increase the size of the shopping centre’s gross lettable area by approximately 22,000 square metres, and will include an additional supermarket, discount department store, mini-major retailers, and about 60 new specialty and service retailers.
A dining precinct has also been planned, along with community infrastructure such as a community room, open public spaces, a children’s playground and a community garden.
Mr Leigh said the proposed development will blend modern, subtle architecture with innovative design and cohesive landscaping to enhance the shopping centre’s surroundings.
“It is proposed to incorporate a layout that allows structures to be separated by informal spaces, integrated landscaping and open space,” he said.
The project is expected to create 430 jobs during construction and about 940 local retail jobs upon completion.
The community can review the details of the development application by visiting Council’s online planning portal at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/planning-online and searching for MCU14/0106.
Noosa Council Planning and Environment manager Kerri Coyle said council officers were currently reviewing the application and would likely make a further information request to the application, to which the applicant has six months to respond.
“Once the applicant responds to Council’s request for further information, the application will be publicly notified, so the community can provide comment,” Ms Coyle said.
“The application will then go before Council for a decision, which is likely to be later in the year.”