The developer behind a tourist park with 286 sites has lodged an application to extend its approval by three years, to allow it time to finish the project.
The extension to the Maroochy River Resort on David Low Way at Diddillibah includes plans for 123 two-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom long-term duplex units (20 units in total), 92 one-bedroom short-term cabins and 51 short-term glamping tents, plus facilities, amenities and associated infrastructure.
Approval for development of the 32.68ha site, near the Waterfront Hotel, was originally granted in June 2014. A number of subsequent applications have extended the currency period of the development permit until December 19, 2025.
The applicant and landowner, Marooch Holdings Pty Ltd, is now seeking approval from Sunshine Coast Council to push the currency period, as well as the sunset date by which it must be completed, to December 19, 2028.
A letter dated April 15 to the council by Project Urban director Mick Sheppard on behalf of the applicants outlines a series of misfortunes that has delayed the project.
“Although significant progress has been made on site, the program of works has been adversely affected by a number of significant events,” it says.
These include the site being placed in receivership in late 2022; continuing significant weather events; the onset of Covid and the impacts it had on labour, materials and supply chains; and the death of the company director in December 2023.
“This project was one that the director saw could create an affordable housing solution for south-eastern Queensland,” the letter says.
“Indeed, his projects were more than just business ventures – they were a heartfelt mission to address the critical shortage of affordable housing, specifically on the Sunshine Coast and the NSW Northern Rivers and provide assistance to those in need.
“He recognised the growing crisis on the Sunshine Coast and devoted himself to creating a meaningful solution that would have had lasting positive impacts. As a result, completion of this project is more than just an outcome, it’s the realisation of a legacy.”
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The letter also outlines the progress that has already been made on the project, as well as some costs and timeframes.
“Since initial vegetation clearing and stripping of topsoil works commenced on site, installation of a base layer of rock for the fill material to be placed upon has been completed,” it says.
“These works have enabled approximately 340,000 tonnes of rock and soil to be imported and laid on site. This represents approximately 85 per cent of the approved earthworks.
“So far, the works on site have cost in the region of $15 million. There is another $5 million of works remaining to complete the wick drains and initial bulk earthworks.
“It is currently anticipated that the earthworks for stage one of the development will be completed by July 2027 and that the civil works for this stage will commence at that time.”
Stage one includes the external infrastructure, which is predicted to be completed by October 2027 at a cost of $12 million; civil works by February 2028 costing $14 million; and building works by December 2028 at a cost of $60 million.
The letter says Marooch Holdings Pty Ltd has had full control of the site since the end of 2024 and is committed to completing the project as quickly as possible.
“If council agrees to extend the currency period and sunset period, the project will have a significant economic impact to the local economy in terms of direct and indirect multipliers and also full-time equivalent employment numbers both during and after completion of the construction phase of works,” it states.
Among the benefits it outlines are $300 million of expenditure benefit from the civil construction and dwelling construction works; 80 full-time equivalent jobs yearly during the construction phase; an annual household expenditure of $1.5 million being added to the local economy; and up to an additional 15 full-time equivalent jobs permanently on site.
