Magazine - Retail Development on Horton Park Golf Club

By Editor in Golf on 1st Apr 2010 10:00

Sunshine Coast MP Fiona Simpson warned yesterday the council was gambling with the future of Maroochydore with its hard-nosed approach to economic opportunities which could end up costing thousands of jobs.

Ms Simpson was responding to Mayor Bob Abbot’s suggestion that retail giant David Jones should develop on the Horton Park site instead of its preferred option, Sunshine Plaza.

Horton Park Golf Club members, who own the 53 ha site, were warned on Wednesday night their plans to relocate were in jeopardy because of the council’s Maroochydore CBD plan. Club member Mike Demaine said the “general feeling” on the golf course yesterday was that without the right incentive, golfers would refuse to move. “The council plan doesn’t provide enough return for a developer to offer a good deal,” Mr Demaine said. “Unless there is an incentive to shift we will stay where we are.”

Ms Simpson said the council was putting “all its eggs in one basket with Horton Park” as the development could be delayed by more than a decade.

“On one hand you have the Plaza ready to go with a plan (for David Jones) and then you have the golf course plan which could take years to establish as far as its ability to attract jobs and growth in the heart of Maroochydore,” she said

“They are playing a high stakes poker game in saying the Plaza can go away. “If Horton Park doesn’t go ahead and the Plaza doesn’t go ahead, we could lose it all.”

Ms Simpson also feared that the council’s requirements for development of the central CBD site, which include $100 million in development costs and retaining 55% public space, might be too high.

Source & More: www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au
Article by Kathy Sundstrom

Read more articles in Golf, by Editor or from April 2010.