Coolum Beach site plan swaps drive-through for childcare, medical and gym uses

What's happening

A commercial site on South Coolum Road at Coolum Beach is set for a more community-focused future after the applicant dropped a 24-hour drive-through from its plans. SCR Projects Pty Ltd has lodged a redesigned proposal for 11 South Coolum Road with Sunshine Coast Council, replacing the shopping centre and fast-food outlet with childcare, medical, office, gym and retail uses, Sunshine Coast News reported on 29 October 2026.

The site fronts South Coolum Road, with a Woolworths to the south, other commercial properties nearby and parkland along its eastern boundary. The change follows council feedback on the original application, as well as community concern raised in public submissions about the drive-through and its effect on the area's character.

The key details

In September, council said the proposed food outlet was "not integrated with the other tenancies on the site" and that a drive-through was inconsistent with the Local Centre and District Centre zones of the Coolum Local Plan Area.

• Original plan (April 2026): a shopping centre with a 236 sq m fast-food outlet, trading 24 hours with a drive-through for at least 12 vehicles, plus 91 car parks. It was publicly notified in August.
• Revised plan (lodged 20 October 2026): childcare of about 862 sq m, a gym of about 719 sq m, medical and another shop of about 479 sq m, and shops of about 299 sq m.
• Total gross floor area: about 2,359 sq m.
• Parking: 104 car spaces, up from 91, plus 12 motorcycle and 31 bicycle spaces.
• Design: renders for the revised plan are by OGE Group Architects.

Timeline and next steps

Council decided the changes are more than a minor amendment, so assessment has restarted from the beginning of the confirmation period. Because the revised uses are code assessable rather than impact assessable, no further public notification is required. Submissions made on the original proposal stay on file to inform the assessment, but submitter appeal rights do not apply to the changed application. A council decision will follow once assessment is complete.

What it means for Gold Coast property owners and developers

The Coolum example is a useful reminder for South East Queensland landowners, including on the Gold Coast, that fitting a proposal to the intent of local centre zoning can shorten the path to approval. Moving to uses that are code assessable can remove the need for public notification and limit appeal risk, although it does mean giving up the original tenant mix.

For nearby homeowners, everyday services such as childcare, medical and fitness can add local convenience. This is general information only and not financial or planning advice; anyone considering a similar application should seek professional planning advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is now proposed at 11 South Coolum Road, Coolum Beach?

The revised plan proposes about 2,359 sq m of floor space for childcare, medical, office, gym and retail uses, with 104 car parks, replacing an earlier plan for a shopping centre with a 24-hour drive-through.

Why was the drive-through removed?

Sunshine Coast Council said a drive-through was inconsistent with the local zoning and not integrated with the other tenancies, and most public submissions raised concerns about it.

Will the public be able to comment on the new plan?

No further public notification is needed, because the revised application is code assessable. Earlier submissions remain on file, but submitter appeal rights do not apply to the changed application.

Source: Sunshine Coast News, published 29 October 2026. This article is an independent summary and commentary by GC Prestige based on the original report — read the source for full details.