TWO huge sites near a proposed Coles development at Beerwah are set to boost industrial development in the hinterland town.
Civil works at a former strawberry farm at 42 Roys Rd are set to start in just days with 38 lots ranging from 1500sqm to nearly 4000sqm already sold on the 13 hectare site.
While a development application lodged just last week proposes to make use of 33,000sqm at the corner of Roys Rd and Moroney Pl.
The site, directly opposite the proposed Coles site, is partly occupied by hardware and trades supplier, The Bunker.
The application, by Upton Trading Pty Ltd, proposes to use just 7000sqm for light industrial with 18,000sqm – fronting Roys Rd – set aside for future consideration.
“The proposed development will occupy approximately 7,149 m2 of the northern part of the 33,020 m2 land area,” the application states.
“The central part of the land is occupied by the Bunker development and the global stormwater management and bio-retention system, which in combination, consume approximately 8,000 m2 of the total land area.
“The remaining 18,000 m2 of land area that fronts Roys Road will remain vacant for the time being, pending on-going investigations into its future development options.
The Beerwah Industrial Park at 42 Roys Rd, was being promoted by Colliers as adjacent to the Coles development – currently under appeal – and will require upgrades to the Steve Irwin Way intersection, namely the extension of the right hand turning lane onto Roys Rd.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said that site would help address a shortfall of developed industrial land in the region and would “create new employment opportunities”.
“The development is predicted to further activate and broaden Beerwah’s Town Centre, bringing increased economic activity into the town,” the spokesperson said.
“Our region and townships are experiencing considerable growth, which brings more jobs, more services, more visitation, and more revenue to our community.”
As part of a traffic impact assessment, the development will require the lengthening of the existing right turn lane onto Roys Rd be increased.
“Approval conditions for the Roys Rd industrial development … involve pavement widening and sealing of Burys Road for the length of the site,” the council spokesperson said.
As reported in GC&M News last week grocery giant Coles has lodged a request to amend its application appeal to include a U-Turn facility off Roys Rd that can cater for vehicles up to the size of B-Doubles.
Main image: The site of the Beerwah Industrial Park.