Sparkling refresh to beautiful coastal foreshore
Have you seen the decorative fairy lights along The Esplanade these Spring school holidays?
A Sunshine Coast seafront now features some extra sparkle as it prepares for a major transformation.
Mooloolaba, which is preparing for the next stage of its foreshore revitalisation, has had a refresh of its decorative lights along The Esplanade, in time for the Spring school holidays.
The idea, along with a pipeline of exciting events and initiatives, is the first outcome of a collaboration between Mooloolaba businesses and Sunshine Coast Council while the draft Business Activation Plan is being finalised.
The Plan aims to help maintain the Mooloolaba magic for visitors, locals and businesses before, during and after the vital works that will rejuvenate and protect the foreshore.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said Council had been working with specialist place strategy and activation company, Reactivate Consulting, the newly established Business Activation Group and the broader business community on developing a Business Activation Plan.
“As a result of businesses collaborating with Council, we now have warm coloured, low voltage LED lights along Mooloolaba Esplanade switched on for the school holidays and operating from 6pm to 10pm nightly,” Cr Burns said.
“The refreshed lights at various locations add extra atmosphere at one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular destinations for dinner and drinks – if you haven’t seen the feature lighting I encourage locals and visitors to come down and take in the shine!
“The draft Business Activation Plan focuses on opportunities for Mooloolaba and creating ideas to keep the town humming that are focused on People, Place, Precinct Enablers and Events.”
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Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce President and local business owner Graeme Juniper said the lighting had been warmly welcomed.
“The Chamber of Commerce is absolutely thrilled to have the decorative lighting in Mooloolaba,” Mr Juniper said.
“It’s something we have been requesting for some time and it’s a really a positive outcome for the presentation of Mooloolaba, especially for locals and visitors alike.”
Council has been working with the Mooloolaba Business Activation Group and Mooloolaba Stakeholder Interest Group since February 2024.
The Business Activation Group consists of accommodation providers, representatives from tourism, hospitality and retail, precinct managers, as well as the Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce and regional tourism organisation Visit Sunshine Coast.
Stage Two of Mooloolaba’s revitalisation includes new flowing viewing decks, spacious and beautiful community parkland and picnic areas, public art, expansive landscaping, modern public amenities, a covered open sided pavilion, a terraced protective seawall and a broad, accessible coastal pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.
The process to finalise an expert construction contractor continues. Preparation works are anticipated to start early 2025, with major construction likely to begin in May.
Make sure you stay informed on the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project as it progresses, by subscribing for email updates.
For more information about the project please search ‘MFR’ on Council’s website: www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/mfr.
Key lighting information:
- low voltage LED fairy lights in warm golden white
- more than 30 trees at various locations along Mooloolaba Esplanade
- automatically switched on at 6pm and off at 10pm nightly
- installed to allow tree growth
- no direct fixing to the trees
- the activation is funded by Council through the Business Activation Plan.