Sunshine Coast waterpark dreams end with land sale

The sale of a 75-hectare parcel of land near Caloundra has marked the end of plans for the development of a waterpark on the Sunshine Coast.

The land, located opposite the Sunshine Coast Turf Club near Caloundra, has been sold to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to become part of the region's strategic land reserve.

It is aimed for the land, purchased by the Council at a cost of $5.1 million, to be developed in stages into sport and recreation space to cater for future generations.

For much of the last decade, a local consortium planned for the site to be transformed into a $110 million waterpark. The Adventura Waterpark, was to have offered a range of water rides, wave and activity pools, adult swim zones and designated water play areas for children as well as short-term accommodation for around 50-80 visitors.

The changes in planning regulations (initially the project did not meet with Queensland Government planning requirements) and Village Roadshowï¾s brief interest in redeveloping the nearby Aussie World into a waterpark, led to delays in the planning process for the project with the consortium having to revise and re-submit their plans on several occasions.

In the end, consortium spokesman Damien Brown explained that despite planning changes having made it easier to get the project up and running, he and his partners decided to sell the site.

In late 2009, Brown explained "we are disappointed not to be able to deliver a water park for the region after five years of blood, sweat and tears.

"While we have been overwhelmed with tremendous public support for what we were proposing to do, our group has decided to let others take up the fight."

Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor, Tim Dwyer said "the purchase demonstrates this council's commitment to ensuring the Sunshine Coast meets the demands of the future.

"I personally would like to look at the potential of this site to be the future location of a major sports stadium - one which would, in time, complement the regional grandstand facility at Stockland Park. It might sound like a dream but we need to start somewhere."

24th September 2009 - VILLAGE AXES SUNSHINE COAST WATERPARK PLANS

4th February 2008 - NEW WATERPARK FOR SUNSHINE COAST