Sunshine Coast Wave Pool Rivals Headed for Planning Court

Rival wave pool developers are poised to take their stoush over the Sunshine Coast Council’s decision to fast-track a new application to Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court.

Surf Parks Australia’s plans to build a wave park were approved in December for a 13.4ha site on the western side of the Bruce Highway at Johnston Road, Glass House Mountains.

Just 20km away, Sanad Capital has plans for its own wave pool, adventure park and resort at 2652 Steve Irwin Way, Glenview, which has been in the pipeline since 2015.

The “theme park” project includes a 160-key resort with a mix of eco villas, the Act-venture Waterpark with 20 waterslides, swim-up bar and associated retail, which was approved in the project’s first stage.

The second stage would add 90 units to the site, expand tourist activities and include the construction of a wave pool named “Endless Surf”. 

Sanad’s site is near a golf course and a go-kart track, and 12km from Australia Zoo. 

▲ Sanad Capital's plans for the Endless Surf wave pool, Invigorate Resort and Actventure waterpark on Steve Irwin Way on the Sunshine Coast.

The $130-million project was approved in mid-2020 and Sanad appointed Shadforth to complete civil works on the site in January.

The latest addition to the plans, adding a further 74 units on the 25ha site, were lodged two weeks after the Sunshine Coast Council gave fast-tracked approval to Surf Parks.

Sanad filed an objection to the Surf Parks Australia approval on January 24 with the hearing set down for the Planning and Environment Court on March 30.

The grounds for appeal included the plans being inconsistent with the use of rural land, that they are not within the existing tourism focused areas, they compromise agricultural land, do not enhance the area, or maintain appropriate levels of amenity.

However, these surf parks are not the only wave developments on the cards for the Sunshine Coast. 

Consolidated Properties is planning a “surf ranch” with the World Surf League on a 510ha site at 358 Yandina Coolum Road, Coolum, about 40km north of the other two applications.

The project was announced in September 2019, however, plans are yet to be lodged.

Consolidated Properties were in preliminary talks with the state government to identify the land as a priority development area in late 2020 and were still waiting waiting for a response.