A  $900 million master-planned project on the Sunshine Coast is set to go ahead after the Planning and Environment Court upheld the approval of the project.

Initially approved by the Sunshine Coast Council in 2018, Sekisui House’s Yaroomba Beach development in Coolum has been delayed for the past two years while the Development Watch and Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) attempted to appeal the decision, a move that was defeated in a 100-page judgment handed down by Judge Nicole Kefford last week.

Yaroomba Beach Project Director Evan Aldridge said the court’s decision justified Council’s rigorous assessment and approval of the original application, in accordance with its Planning Scheme, and recognised the strategic importance of the project and the community benefits it provided to the Sunshine Coast.

Yaroomba Beach development - At a glance: 

• 220-room, five-star Westin Coolum Resort
• 148 serviced apartments
• 1,000sqm+ of combined conference and meeting facilities for events and social gatherings, including 800-person capacity main function hall
• A modern gym, kids club and 50m guest resort pool
• Luxury day spa
• Retail & cafe precinct
• Two signature restaurants
• Rooftop restaurant and bar with views to the ocean and Mount Coolum
• 5ha of land accessible to the public surrounding a lake, including over 3ha of open parkland and 3km of pedestrian and cycling paths
• New surf lifesaving tower and patrol services
• 753 residential apartments and 98 freestanding dwellings

“The Sunshine Coast can now look forward to the development of a world-class tourist destination and a residential coastal village in an exceptional beachside location,” he said.

“This will truly represent a landmark development in Australia, delivering a 5-star The Westin Coolum Resort and Spa to showcase the best of the Sunshine Coast.

"It will drive new tourism to the coast including conferences and events not currently catered for.

Source: Yaroombabeach.com.au 

"This will be a tremendous boost for the Sunshine Coast economy."

The first stage of development will deliver the 5 Star hotel, serviced apartments and all the public elements of a new coastal village – the shops, cafes, surf lifesaving facilities, Coastal Discovery Centre and parklands. 

The Westin will be the first 5 Star hotel developed on the Coast in more than 30 years.

Source: Yaroombabeach.com.au

Mr Aldridge said the sales and construction program would be developed once the conditions of approval were finalised by the court.

“This is a great milestone and despite the change in the economic environment we are committed to try to get the project started as soon as possible," he said.

“Yaroomba Beach will be a catalyst project for the Sunshine Coast as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It will provide significant benefits for the construction and retail sectors and provide a much needed boost for the local tourism industry moving forward.”

Click here to find out more about the project.

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