The Sunshine Coast Council recently released a new publication, ‘Shaping Our Future’. Within it’s glossy pages they have outlined some of their development plans for our little corner of paradise and how it will affect us all, from public transport expansions, to their plans for the new “Maroochydore CBD”.

The Council has some big plans for us over the next twenty years, including an Airport expansion, the development of a light rail line and a new public teaching hospital to meet the demands of our growing community. Biggest of all are their plans for building a new city centre for Maroochydore. Covering 53 hectares of land, forty percent of which will be comprised of open space and waterways, will provide new community facilities, education services, retail stores and plenty of new and exciting dining experiences. It’s set to become the new hub for culture, business and fun on the Sunshine Coast.

The Sunshine Coast is on the rise, with three-hundred-thousand people projected to be living between Maroochydore and Caloundra South by 2031. With a growing population the pressure on services such as public transport and roads increases immensely. The Queensland Government, in conjunction with the council have put into place plans to create a new Light Rail line to help ease the pressure on our roads and minimise the impact of the explosive population growth on traffic conditions. Connecting the Maroochydore City Centre with other services such as heavy rail, and bus lines as well as all areas of the sunshine coast the Light Rail project is projected to generate some three and a half billion dollars back into the local community by providing access to employment, health and educational services and tourist attractions.

The Light Rail system and new Maroochydore City Centre are just two of many plans the Council has lined up for the development of the area. For more information on these plans and others, as well as opportunity to have your say during the planning stages visit click here to download your copy of ‘Shaping our Future’.