Leaders rally as $100 million private investment surge sparks promising Council commitment
Cr Law, Mayor Natoli, William Phillips and Nicklin MP Marty Hunt discuss plans for the C-Square redevelopment.
Below: Artist’s impressions of the C-Square redevelopment.
Nambour CBD’s long-awaited revival has been given a hopeful boost with more than $100 million in private projects set to reshape the town and prompting calls for council to match the momentum.
Developers including Sandran Property Group, ARM Property Investment Group and Iron Chef Pty Ltd have lodged or begun major projects – from the $21.5 million C-Square redevelopment to a $50 million mixed-use proposal at Currie and Bury Streets and the multi-storey childcare, cooking and studio complex on Howard Street.
I Am Nambour chair Rhonda Billett said it was the biggest wave of investment since the 1980s. “With this type of private investment now coming into Nambour, the past attitude to government expenditure in this part of the region has to change,” she said.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli told local business leaders at this month’s Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catch-Up “this is the moment for Nambour”, declaring the town had reached a “tipping point” for renewal and saying “we are all 100 percent behind the people investing in this town – but Nambour needs money”.
Council CEO John Baker was more blunt: “My God, I’ve walked around town – it is its turn. Nambour is too tired right now to attract the businesses we want. We have to get our act together.”
That consensus follows Nambour being short-changed in Council’s latest budget, with streetscape and library upgrades deferred for up to five years.
But business leaders warned that words must now become action.
Ms Billett said the latest council budget “heavily overlooked and under-funded” the CBD despite unprecedented private commitment.
Cr David Law said it was unacceptable that the council had withdrawn major investment from Nambour.
Nambour Chamber President Mark Bray said even modest council spending on beautification and infrastructure would pay dividends. “Council will reap the benefits going forward as the hinterland steadily grows,” he said.
For its part, the state government has supported the relocation of a low-cost supermarket and committed to upgraded CCTV and a Police Beat, amid a long-term and escalating homelessness crisis that has raised safety concerns.