Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich has applauded Walker Corporation’s bold Olympic vision for the Maroochydore City Centre.
“The Sunshine Coast Business Council strongly commends Walker Corporation’s bold vision for a 7000-seat arena, athlete village and five-star hotel, set to cement the region as a premier games and tourism destination, and create a powerful legacy for Queensland,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“We have long been advocating for the delivery of a major hub for entertainment and economic activity to firmly position the Maroochydore City Centre, and the Sunshine Coast region more broadly, on the international map as a premier destination for arts, music, conventions, exhibitions and major events.
“Walker Corporation’s Horizon Centre proposal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver an iconic and multi-purpose civic asset that the Sunshine Coast has supported for decades, right in the heart of Maroochydore City Centre.”
She said Walker Corporation has the vision and experience to develop the kind of city-shaping infrastructure needed to really propel the Sunshine Coast onto the world stage, as they have done before in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games just seven years away, we need to leverage private sector investment and expertise exemplified by this Walker proposal, to accelerate the delivery of essential infrastructure needed to create a powerful Brisbane 2032 legacy,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“Investing in the Sunshine Coast through this proposal will create a lasting legacy, not just for this generation, but for many to come. This project will be the catalyst to further activate the Maroochydore City Centre — attracting both locals and tourists and making it a vibrant destination year-round.
“However, for this vision to reach its full potential, we must address connectivity. Heavy rail from Brisbane to the Maroochydore City Centre is not just desirable — it is essential. Efficient transport links will ensure this precinct is accessible, thriving, and a key driver of our region’s future prosperity.
“This is exactly the type of bold project the Sunshine Coast Business Council hoped would be presented by the private sector as part of the 100-day review and we support the method of project delivery as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Australia’s largest diversified private property company Walker Corporation, Australia’s top private construction company Built and global leading architects Woods Bagot.
“The Horizon Centre proposal is currently under review with GIICA, which is set to present its recommendation from the 100-Day Review to the Queensland Government in March 2025. We look forward to it progressing to the next stage.”
