Plans revealed to transform Sunshine Coast golf course into new holiday resort

A $50 million plan to transform a family-owned golf course at Glenview on the Sunshine Coast into a new resort has been lodged by Australia’s largest holiday park owner-operator, Discovery Parks.

Discovery Parks has lodged plans for its first holiday park on the Sunshine Coast, proposing turning the Glenview Par 3 Golf Course on Steve Irwin Way into a $50 million caravan and cabin resort with a mix of 359 powered and unpowered sites and cabins ranging from basic to deluxe.

The park would also include a resort-style pool, mini golf course, jumping pillow, waterplay/splash park and pump track would give families a reason to stay and play in the one location.

Discovery Parks’ plans, if approved, would be the latest addition to the hinterland tourist strip which includes Australia Zoo, the Big Kart Track and Aussie World along with two proposed wave park-based attraction.

A development application for the 12-hectare site has been lodged with Sunshine Coast Council more than a year after G’day Group, which incorporates Discovery Parks, bought the land for $3.3m in late 2020.

The Glenview Par 3 Golf Course, which also adjoins Mooloolah River National Park, was a family-run business for more than two decades.

No membership was required to enjoy the flat 9-hole course and it was a popular recreation activity for those less serious about the sport who just wanted a fun day out.

However, as reported by Sunshine Coast News, the land’s zoning for ‘sport and recreation’ use has raised ‘potential conflicts’ with the planning scheme which the council will have to consider.

A report prepared by Project Urban in support of the application said the sports zoning was “largely irrelevant, being a reflection of the longstanding use of the site as a private golf course”.

G’day Group Chief Investment Officer Amanda Baldwin with visitor nights to the Sunshine Coast expected to increase by more than four million over the next decade, there was strong demand for more accommodation near tourist attractions.

Baldwin noted “our proposal is similar other successful holiday park developments that have been completed across Australia, which have been proven to increase tourism and create economic uplift local communities.

“However, this is only the first stage of the development process, and we are committed to working closely with Council and listening to community feedback to ensure we bring to life an asset that will deliver long term benefits for the region.

“In its current form, our proposal represents an investment of around $50 million and with a development timeline of approximately 18-24 months once necessary approvals have been attained.”

The site for the proposed holiday park is next door to Sanad Capital’s long-delayed Actventure waterpark and resort.

Most recently Sanad Capital has been involved in litigation with the Sunshine Coast Council over its infrastructure charges for the development and, in separate action, is appealing the Council’s approval of Surf Parks Australia’s proposed Glass House Mountains wave park, claiming, according to media reports, the rival attraction is in the wrong location and that there is no economic need for it.

Discovery Parks owns and operates 60 properties nationally in prime tourism destinations.

Image: The Glenview Par 3 Golf Course.