Council maps building approval hot spots

Sunshine Coast development activity shows no signs of slowing down, according to council’s annual building approvals heat map.

Based on the number of building application approvals issued in the past four years, the map identifies where the highest levels of development activity and suburb growth are occurring in the region.

Planning Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said the updated heat maps reflect the volume of building activity between 2012 and 2016, highlighting the previous 12 months.

“With building approvals at the highest level they have been in seven years, it is valuable to map the ‘hot spots’ of activity," Cr Dickson said.

“The map identifies continued high levels of concentrated development approvals within the Sunshine Coast Enterprise Corridor, which stretches from Sunshine Coast Airport to Caloundra South (Aura).

“For the second consecutive year Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Kawana have been shown as dark red on the map, highlighting the high volumes of building approvals recorded in these areas,” Cr Dickson said

“ Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Kawana are ‘hot’ areas of growth, having experienced more than 900 building application approvals across a 12-month period.

Chardan Development Group General Manager, Evan Dickson said the volume of building approvals in the Maroochydore area reflected council’s commitment to the new Maroochydore City Centre.

“Our delivery of Sunshine Cove has been guided by the principles of sustainability, community, growth, amenity, innovation and affordability,” Mr Dickson said.

“Working closely with Sunshine Coast Council has enabled us to deliver a first-class development that uses innovative freehold design to truly meet the needs of the community.”

Cr Dickson said the Sunshine Coast continues to record strong population growth all across the region, with significant development recorded from Caloundra in the south through to Peregian Springs in the North and out into the hinterland towns. ~~~~

“In 12 months the Caloundra area received 380 building approvals to the value of $91,198,044, whilst Peregian Springs, including the Peregian Breeze development, received 361 building approvals to the value of $110, 667, 883,” he said.

“Significant development activity is evident across the entire Sunshine Coast region, the hot spot map identified five areas that have recorded the highest value of building activity with over half a billion worth of building approvals in the last year – contributing to over $1 billion of building activity on the Sunshine Coast.

“This is a considerable increase, which is a substantial boost for the region and our economy.

“Interestingly, over the last 12 months the established “Railway Towns” are experiencing rapid grow rates, demonstrating the importance of major transport nodes such as such as Beerwah and Nambour station.

“Steady and sustainable growth in development across the region has positive flow-on effects that contribute to increased economic activity across the region, including employment generation, business confidence and consumer spending.”

View the Sunshine Coast Building Approvals Heat Map and explanatory notes on Council’s website along with the quarterly Development Indicator Reports.

Further information about individual Development Applications can be viewed via PD Online and Open Data.