Ten years ago, the heart of Maroochydore looked very different. What was once a golf course is now a growing city for the people – designed for connection, innovation, and opportunity. Streets hum with life, award-winning business towers shape the skyline, and a vision for the future is unfolding, one building, one business, and one big idea at a time.
A vision takes shape
In 2015, SunCentral was established to take on a challenge few cities in Australia had ever attempted: building a new city centre from the ground up. The Sunshine Coast was growing fast, and it needed a commercial, cultural, and economic hub to match.
Chair of SunCentral, Morgan Parker OAM, a founding board member said right from the start, the goal was clear: create a sustainable, connected city that would generate jobs, attract investment, and become a place where people truly wanted to be.
“SunCentral was established by Sunshine Coast Council to provide independent commercial expertise to drive delivery of a world-class city centre, and our model is now globally recognised as best in class,” he said.
Built for the future: Designing cities that last
From the very first blueprint, Maroochydore City Centre was conceived with the future in mind. Through clever and thoughtful design, the concepts of sustainability, technology, and liveability have been woven into the fabric of the city.
Mr Parker, who works on bold new city developments worldwide, said the Maroochydore City Centre project was unique because of its focus on environmental sustainability and lifestyle, alongside commercial goals.
“The uniqueness of Maroochydore City Centre is its ability to authentically balance catalytic economic growth with a modern interpretation of an attractive lifestyle and a genuine focus on sustainability,” he said.
A place for the people
With plans for 10,000 residents, 4,000 homes, and 20,000 permanent jobs, the city is already playing a vital role in the Sunshine Coast’s future.
“It’s people who make a city thrive,” Parker said. “Maroochydore City Centre is fast becoming a place where businesses grow, professionals stay, and locals build their futures. Entrepreneurs are setting up shop, workers are choosing opportunity over a commute to Brisbane, and a new generation is finding careers close to home.”
Currently, the city is home to 775 residents, 310 homes, 1,100 workers, and more than 40 employers. Under the masterplan, the city will eventually feature 240,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, more than 10 hectares of open space and parkland, and a 6.5-hectare centralised waterway.
Looking ahead: A new chapter for SunCentral
As SunCentral Maroochydore enters its second decade, Chair Morgan Parker is preparing to pass the baton.
“Every multigenerational undertaking has to be treated like a relay race. We have a great deal of talent around us right now, and it’s time for fresh leadership to carry the project forward, particularly with the Olympics on the horizon,” he said.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli acknowledged SunCentral’s vital role in shaping Maroochydore City Centre.
“SunCentral’s efforts have been crucial in advancing the city’s vision and supporting the delivery of infrastructure for its ongoing growth,” she said.
David Gallant, Managing Director and CEO of Walker Corporation, which is delivering the city centre in partnership with SunCentral and Sunshine Coast Council, emphasised the power of collaboration.
“Morgan Parker’s contributions over the past decade have laid the foundations for success, and we look forward to continuing our work with SunCentral and Sunshine Coast Council to create a world-class city centre,” he said.
A city in motion
Maroochydore City Centre has come a long way in a decade, but its journey is far from over. An exciting new chapter awaits with the Queensland Government unveiling plans for Olympic Games infrastructure will create lasting benefits for the community.
A new integrated Athlete Village, arena and cultural precinct is earmarked right in the heart of the city along with a new public transport solution that will link Beerwah to the Sunshine Coast Airport, with a direct metro service running through Maroochydore.
What started as a bold idea is now fast becoming a thriving urban centre and with continued investment, innovation, and community engagement, the next 10 years promise even greater transformation.