Striding ahead for major sport and recreation park

A major future sporting and recreation precinct for the Sunshine Coast is a step closer to reality.

Sunshine Coast Council has secured another 37ha of land to be set aside for a future major sport and recreation Precinct at Bli Bli, just north of the Maroochy River.

The latest strategic land acquisition on Oyster Bank Road lies alongside 97ha already purchased for the project by Council in 2021.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the major project took a long-term strategic view to fostering healthy communities while supporting floodplain management in the Blue Heart.

“We’re committed to delivering this vision for a place where people can enjoy being active and connected with their community, with more than 130ha now secured by Council and set aside for this major project,” Cr Suarez said.

“Sport and recreation facilities are fundamental to our region’s liveability, and projects such as this ensure communities in the northern and central areas of our region can continue to access these quality spaces.”

While the project is in the early planning stages, the purchase contributes towards delivering Council’s long-term target to maintain five hectares of sport and recreation land per 1000 residents as our region continues to grow, a goal set down in the award-winning Environment and Liveability Strategy.

The project also aligns with Council’s Sunshine Coast Community Strategy, which aims to empower communities to live healthy and active lifestyles.

Cr Suarez said the purchase added to public land within the Blue Heart, a partnership project striving for sustainable and innovative floodplain management in the Maroochy River catchment.

“Open spaces like these can also play a part in our climate change response by providing areas for flood water storage, a key objective of the Blue Heart project.

“Almost 1700ha of the Blue Heart Sunshine Coast project area is publicly owned.

“Meanwhile, we’re investigating alternative land uses for private landowners to consider as some traditional farming industries becoming less viable.”

The land was purchased in line with Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan, with a significant financial contribution made by developers through Infrastructure Charges to provide for future major recreation parks and sportsgrounds.