World’s largest wave pool one break away on the Sunshine Coast

Council has today given preliminary approval to a resort and waterpark which will include the world’s largest wave pool at Steve Irwin Way, Glenview.

The $90 million project also proposes pools and lagoons, waterslides and other play structures, themed restaurants and food outlets, souvenir shops and short term hotel and cabin-style accommodation.

The preliminary approval does not authorise assessable development to occur and subsequent approval development permits for material change of use and operational works are still required before the development can proceed.

That will include the applicant providing a flood study to address flooding from the Mooloolah River and a local catchment.

The resort complex must also be integrated with the tourist attraction on the site and cannot open before the water park.

Divisional councillor Rick Baberowski said the resort and water park would complement Sunshine Coast’s strongest international brand in Australia Zoo as well as The Big Cart Track and Aussie World, which are all located within close proximity.

“This is one of the most important tourist attractions council has considered in a long time,” Cr Baberowski said.

“The world’s first hi-tech wave pool will be valuable in our quest to promote the region as a national and international destination.

“This development will create 400 jobs during construction and another 250 ongoing jobs upon opening.

“The resort accommodation is sorely needed on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast and will benefit those townships in that area.”

Planning portfolio councillor Christian Dickson said a number of conditions had been included in the preliminary approval to address water, sewerage and flooding issues.

“While the development approval process still has some way to go, this is an example of this council doing everything it can to pull down the brick walls to attract these projects to the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Dickson said.

“There is extremely positive sentiment in the community for this project which is at the right spot at the right time.

“Multiple sites have been investigated and the necessary four-way signalised traffic on Steve Irwin Way is already in place, saving millions in infrastructure costs.”

Tourism and Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray described the future resort as Sunshine Coast’s “Disney”.

“Tourists will want to cuddle a koala, ride a wave and swim with the whales and they can do all that and more here on the Sunshine Coast,” Cr O’Pray said.