New development management company to help deliver new Maroochydore City Centre
The new Maroochydore City Centre moved into its next phase this week following the announcement of the development management company and its Board of Directors to oversee the project.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson described the announcement an important milestone in the journey of creating a new city centre for the Sunshine Coast – a development that is Australia’s only greenfield CBD at this time.
“Today I am pleased to announce the details of the new company Council has established to take this significant project for our region into the future,” Cr Jamieson said.
“The Maroochydore City Centre is a “game changer” project for our region, and we want to ensure we have the right model and the best people to take it forward.”
Cr Jamieson said that the development management company, to be known as SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd, would oversee detailed design, construction, marketing and sales in the Maroochydore City Centre.
“SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd will drive an appropriate balance between commercial and community building functions, whilst ensuring the development delivers a 21st century CBD and an identifiable city heart for the wider Sunshine Coast,” Cr Jamieson said.
The new, five-member board will comprise Dr Douglas McTaggart as Chairperson, and Mr Don Boyd, Mr Morgan Parker, Ms Jude Munro and Mr Michael Kerry.
Cr Jamieson welcomed the board directors to their new roles and said they each brought a wealth of expertise which would benefit the creation of the city heart for the Sunshine Coast.
“The board directors have impeccable credentials and extensive experience in company management, property and infrastructure development, commercial investment markets and managing stakeholder relationships – skills that we focussed on specifically in the recent recruitment exercise,” Cr Jamieson said.
“Importantly also, is that every one of the board directors has links to the broader Sunshine Coast.”
Cr Jamieson also announced that Mr John Knaggs had accepted Council’s offer to become the Chief Executive Officer of SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd.
“Mr Knaggs has been the Chief Executive Officer of Council since 2008 and prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer of the former Maroochy Shire Council since 2004.
“He has a long and involved history with the Maroochydore City Centre project – probably more than anyone else in Council.”
Cr Jamieson also said that Mr Knaggs has an extensive understanding of the planning, design, infrastructure, marketing and investment issues relevant to the Maroochydore City Centre.
“He also fully appreciates the need to ensure that interests of Council and the community are appropriately considered in this project.
“He will be an outstanding support to the Board of Directors as they get up to speed with their responsibilities for this project – just as he has been an excellent CEO for Council for many years.”
Council will move in the weeks ahead to start the recruitment process for a new Council CEO.
Cr Jamieson said Council had taken the step to establish this separate company to ensure it operated at arms-length from Council and its planning and regulatory responsibilities.
This model will also enable the company to apply a strong commercial focus and expertise to the development, while at the same time enable Council – as the sole shareholder – to ensure community objectives and needs are considered throughout the life of the project.
The company will be responsible for the full range of development management responsibilities including detailed precinct design, oversight of construction of public infrastructure such as roads, pathways, water and sewerage and public areas, as well as the marketing and sale of land.
The company will also be responsible for attracting capital and business investment into the Maroochydore City Centre.
Cr Jamieson said Council would take control of the 53 hectare Horton Park Golf Course site in late May when the Golf Club moved to their new course at Bli Bli.
“Our new company will not be wasting any time to get on with the job of creating a new city centre once the site is handed over,” he said.
In early June, works will start on-site, starting with demolition and site preparation followed by bulk earthworks and infrastructure construction for Stage 1.
Over time, the city centre will provide a wide mix of residential, commercial, retail, civic and community uses within a beautiful, sub-tropical setting.
The city centre will also be developed to complement existing business and commercial areas of Maroochydore.
“SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd will be accountable for delivering the Maroochydore City Centre development in a way that supports Council’s economic and community objectives for the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Jamieson said.
“The Sunshine Coast aims to be Australia’s most sustainable region – and we are confident that this company will deliver a city that reinforces this goal.”
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 31 March, 2015