Work on the next stage of the Mooloolaba foreshore revitalisation project won’t start until early next year.
It had been due to begin mid-2024 but the previous Sunshine Coast Council voted to delay it to allow the new Council to make important decisions such as choosing the construction contractor.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she is committed to continuing to build community trust with the project and the planning for Mooloolaba’s future.
“The new Council will be presented with a report on the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation at the May 30 meeting of Council,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Council had originally hoped to start construction mid-2024.
“However during the tender process it became clear that after the contract is awarded, the contractor would need lead time for programming and to procure materials for the coastal protection works before they could start working on the site.
“This essentially means the window for a construction start this year has closed,” she said.
“While the process to secure an expert construction contractor continues, Council has been working with the newly established Mooloolaba Business Activation Group and Mooloolaba Stakeholder Interest Group.
“We have been listening and we have heard from our business members that disruption and activation planning is key prior to construction.
“That is why, at the fourth Business Activation Group meeting on May 7, the group was informed that the project should now start in early 2025 allowing businesses more time to prepare.
“To minimise disruption to our business community, the early 2025 construction start will help in our endeavour to avoid two peak Christmas and new year trading seasons, our goal being to complete the project before Christmas 2026,” Mayor Natoli said.
The Business Activation Group consists of accommodation providers, representatives from tourism, hospitality and retail, precinct managers, as well as the regional tourism organisation Visit Sunshine Coast.
This group has been working with a specialist place strategy and activation company, Reactivate Consulting, on opportunities for Mooloolaba and developing activation ideas focused on people, place, policy and events to develop a Business Activation Plan.
Another community group, the Stakeholder Interest Group, is made up of a range of community group representatives and locals with an interest in Mooloolaba.
Council said members have unpacked the design, shared information and insights with the project team, and workshopped ideas for improving and supporting Mooloolaba during and after construction.
The next stage of the foreshore’s revitalisation includes new flowing viewing decks, community parkland and picnic areas, expansive landscaping, public amenities including Changing Places toilet facility, beach showers, terraced seawall and a broad, accessible coastal pathway.
