AUSSIE World has submitted a material change of use (June 27) to build a $60 million waterpark next door to the popular amusement park, which if approved would bring a wave of tourism and employment benefits to the Sunshine Coast.
The multifaceted concept design, set to be built on a 22.68ha parcel of land, if approved will include 16 water slides, action pools, leisure pools, numerous waterplay areas, as well as several food and beverage outlets, a pool bar, sun lounges, cabanas, and a souvenir shop.
Financial predictions indicate the project could inject up to $39 million into the local economy throughout the three-year construction of the waterpark.
The waterpark is estimated to attract over 780,000 annual visitors by 2031, generating $15.2 million to $30 million towards Sunshine Coast tourism.
Aussie World general manager, Jenny Howell, said the waterpark will further cement the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as the tourism capital of Queensland.
“We are always looking for ways to add new and unique attractions to the Sunshine Coast to drive further demand for our region’s tourism industry,” she said.
“A waterpark of this size, located alongside a theme park, would give interstate and international visitors a new experience while contributing a significant injection to the region’s overnight visitor spend.
“It will give locals a new experience in their own backyard that they can enjoy.”
Jenny added that Aussie World will endeavour to make the waterpark a sustainable tourist attraction on the Sunshine Coast.
“As the largest sustainable and accessible waterpark on the Sunshine Coast, and with its close proximity to Aussie World, this project will be hugely popular and something that locals can be proud of,” she said.
“We will be looking at best practices in sustainability and regeneration for building and operating a waterpark, as one of Members of Sunshine Coast’s clean technology initiatives, the Cleantech Network.”
The general manager added with a two-day pass on offer for the waterpark, it will increase the appeal of staying overnight in the Sunshine Coast to significantly boost the region’s overnight visitor spend.
The waterpark’s design also includes plans to build a two-level car park across 10,250m2 of land, which will be situated 12-18m from Frizzo Road.
It will offer an expansion to the existing Aussie World car park.
As stated in Aussie World’s development i application to the Sunshine Coast Council, it is expected the waterpark will generate 389 trips in the morning and 294 trips in the afternoon on the weekend.
It is unclear how the project will be funded, as the funding information is commercial in confidence.