Hi there

2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for business and investment on the Sunshine Coast, with multiple large-scale developments gaining momentum across the region. 

The transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre continues to provide an anchor for the region's development and several key projects are influencing the year ahead. 

• The Tabua international submarine cable landed at Maroochydore in late 2025 and is gearing up to go-live in 2026.
• SC2, NEXTDC’s second and significantly larger data centre, representing a $200 million investment, is planned to start construction next to the SC1 data centre in the Maroochydore City Centre. 
• The Sunshine Coast's first internationally branded hotel in 40 years, Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, is on track to open in April 2026.
• A $150 million Crowne Plaza hotel and residence project has been approved for Ocean Street Maroochydore, with construction scheduled to begin in April 2026.

• The $100 million Maroochy Private Hospital is scheduled to open its doors to patients and allied health partners in early 2026.

• Construction is underway on the $300 million SOL by Walker residential project in the Maroochydore City Centre, featuring 251 apartments across two 19-storey towers and integrated retail and lifestyle amenities at ground level.

Public sector investment also continues in 2026, especially given the Sunshine Coast's role as co-host city for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

• Upgrades to transport infrastructure will continue in 2026 with The Wave public transport project including critical pre-construction phases followed by the start of early works, subject to environmental approvals.

• Early works have begun on the 1800 new homes and an athletes’ village for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• Sunshine Coast Council’s major First Avenue Maroochydore streetscape upgrade will commence in early 2026. Upgrades are designed to enhance the entrance precinct for the Maroochydore City Centre and integrating the CBD with surrounding commercial areas.

• Supporting the region’s growing tourism and events economy, Stage Two of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project continues in 2026.  

The Sunshine Coast is the business destination to envy. Or, why not become a part of it?!

Sunshine Coast Council welcomes enquiries about business expansion or relocation and provides one of Australia's best local government investment concierge services.

If you would like to talk about opportunities or ideas, please don't hesitate to contact Invest Sunshine Coast's Investment Lead, Wendy Macdonald, on 0408 731 999 or wendy.macdonald@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Kind regards

Alex Lever-Shaw

Head of Investment, Trade and International

Economic Development Branch

Sunshine Coast Council 

Email: alex.lever-shaw@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au  
Mobile: 0407 753 645
Access a wide array of information online

Key projects influencing the year ahead ...

Sea of opportunity: Tabua submarine broadband cable plugs Coast into the world

The Google factor drives a new wave of connectivity; second NEXTDC data centre

Minor's Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel to open in second half of 2026

Crowne Plaza hotel and residence project for Ocean Street, Maroochydore

Maroochy Private Hospital to open in early 2026, located in the heart of the city centre 

SOL by Walker construction gears up in busy Maroochydore City Centre 

The Wave public transport project: Stages and progress updates

Early works start on the 1800 new homes and athletes’ village

Work to start on major road upgrade: First Avenue Maroochydore

Stage Two of the Mooloolaba foreshore revitalisation project continues

In another step towards attracting high‑value investment to the region by nurturing the growing geospatial intelligence community, Sunshine Coast Council has launched a dedicated industry group on LinkedIn: the Sunshine Coast Geospatial Intelligence Community.

This group connects investors, innovators and technology leaders to showcase local geospatial intelligence capability, share emerging trends and highlight investment and growth opportunities for this fast growing sector.

Interested in exploring how your business can capitalise on the Sunshine Coast’s emerging geospatial intelligence and data economy?

👉 Join the conversation on LinkedIn to connect, collaborate and explore investment and growth potential.

Please encourage your network to join too!