A development approval for the controversial Badderam resort project, proposed for the southern escarpment of Buderim, has been formally cancelled.
The previous owners of Malumba Estate had planned to create a five-star eco resort on the site – including 111 hotel suites, restaurants, conference facilities, a wellness spa and a rail car to access cabins down the escarpment.
The proposal gained Sunshine Coast Council approval, subject to a long list of conditions.
The site – 24 and 26 Box Street, Buderim, was purchased in February by property tycoon, Alex Sekler, based in Cairns.
Council last week announced that the development approval had been cancelled.
“The new property owner has decided to cancel the development approval (MCU15/0270.07) for an Integrated Tourism Facility at 24 and 26 Box Street, Buderim, in accordance with the existing Infrastructure Agreement executed between the developer and Sunshine Coast Council on 24 April 2018,” a council spokesperson said.
“The cancellation of the development approval means that the approved development, known as Badderam, no longer has effect to be developed on this land.
“Any future plans for the development or use of the site are a matter for the property owner and will need to take into consideration the planning requirements under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.”
Sunshine Coast News reported earlier this year that the new owner had also made several other multi-million-dollar purchases in the street, including Aquila Retreat, at 21 Box Street, for which they paid $3.4m, plus a 0.43-hectare vacant block at 9 Box Street, which they acquired for $2.6m – in February, their total Box Street holdings were around 7.2 hectares.
There remains speculation that the sites combined might be utilised for a future development.
Sunshine Coast News has sought comment from Mr Sekler, via development consultancy Project Urban at Alexandra Headland.
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