Zoning: Local Centre, code-assessable (no public notification). Design: 30 car bays, LILO access to David Low Way, full technical report suite supported planning application (TIA, acoustics, flood, civil, OWMP, landscape).
Why it matters
👉 The DA addresses an undersupplied catchment with ~237 additional places needed. This project only partly closes this gap. Market Catchment
The Main Service Area as defined is a self-contained coastal strip with ~25k residents (2024) and spans an area running north–south along the coastline from Mount Coolum in the north through to Marcoola, Pacific Paradise, and Mudjimba to the south.
687-689 David Low Hwy, Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast Q | Main Service Area
The Numbers Population: 25,093 (2024), growing 1.2% pa → 26,361 by 2036. 0–5s: 1,450 children (4.5% of pop; below QLD avg 5.6%). Existing supply: 3 centres, 235 places (all >13 yrs old, Meeting NQS). Fees: $109–$149/day. DSR: 1.89 → undersupplied (modelled need 444 vs 235 places). Vacancies: None visible on Toddle/Storypark → centres likely full. Pipeline: No competitor DAs or large estates. DSR Explained The Demand–Supply Ratio (DSR) compares the modelled childcare place requirement with existing supply: Step 1 – Population base: 1,450 children aged 0–5 (2024). Step 2 – Participation rate: 1,450 × 45% = 653 attending children. Step 3 – Average days/week: 653 × (3.4 ÷ 5) = 444 place‑equivalents required. Step 4 – Compare with supply: Existing 3 centres provide 235 licensed places. Step 5 – Calculate DSR: 444 ÷ 235 = 1.89. ➡️ This means demand is almost double supply, leaving a deficit of ~209 places.
Any DSR > 1.0 signals undersupply; from a developer/operator perspective, this is favourable. Traffic Lights Weighted Scoring
Location Commentary 687 David Low Way (721 m²): Held by local investors for the last 8 years. 689 David Low Way (721 m²): Held by North Sydney–based investors for the last 20 years. Together these adjoining lots provide a 1,443 m² footprint fronting David Low Way.
The site sits within walking distance of Pacific Paradise State School, close to local retail and services (Marcoola and Pacific Paradise centres), and in proximity to the Sunshine Coast Airport and surrounding employment generators.
The David Low Way arterial provides strong north–south connectivity through the coastal strip, with bus routes 620/622 stopping within ~30 m, supporting both parent access and staff transport. Developer / Applicant The DA applicant and operator is Smartland Boutique Early Learning.
The developer is Jay Luckie’sLRP Developments, with construction to be delivered by Prekaro Projects. Smartland operates centres at Maroochydore, Minyama, Mountain Creek and Sippy Downs on the Sunshine Coast, as well as Coffs Harbour, Ripley and two in Port Macquarie. Consultant Team The consultant group was coordinated by Adam Robson, Co-founder and Director of Prekaro Projects, and included: * Murray Bell Planning * Verve Design Group * Pitch Black Group * Northrop Consulting Engineers * Intrax Consulting Group * Andrew Gold Landscape Architecture * Modus Transport and Traffic Engineering * ViridAU ⚡ CREW View: This is a well-positioned DA in a structurally undersupplied market.
Likely to be a strong performer when realised.
🏝️ VIC: Bonbeach 99-place lease draws rapid operator interest
Architect-designed Bayside centre in a premium fee band.
This week’s pipeline snapshot: fresh applications, likely new builds, and official approvals that turn plans into places. Quick to scan, built for action.
Why it matters:
Early read on near-term supply and operator appetite.
Flags hotspots for site hunting and rent comps.
Helps investors and lenders gauge momentum and risk.
How to use it:
Sort by date to see the newest signals first.
Cross-check Service Approvals against your rollout map.
Prioritise DAs near strong primary school catchments.
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