A 12-storey IHG Holiday Inn planned for 51-55 Bulcock Street with just 86 parking bays for a planned 160-rooms continues to attract backlash from the local community.
The Caloundra Residents Association (CRA) has lodged a response opposing the current development application on the grounds it does “not conform with the current planning scheme from a community perspective”.
CRA president Craig Humphrey said the CRA firmly supported hotel development applications that “adhere to the current regulations and planning frameworks established to ensure sustainable and orderly development”.
But the group is concerned the development application for the Holiday Inn does not adhere to “civic values and liveability, and supporting infrastructure needs”.
“We are concerned that the proposed number of parking bays will result in significant additional demand on the already constrained local parking situation,” Mr Humphrey said.
“Increased provisions for active transport facilities on-site should also apply to reduce the parking impact on surrounding areas and appropriate conditions should also minimise the impact of late-night noise on residential areas.”
Mr Humphrey said the quality and availability of infrastructure significantly affected how hotels in Caloundra impacted resident liveability and visitor experience
Since the finalisation of the Caloundra Centre Master Plan in 2016, the CRA has been advocating for significant improvements to transport infrastructure, particularly active transport and placemaking.
“It is now critical that Caloundra receives appropriate investment in both active and public transport and other community infrastructure to support new developments and sustainable growth,” Mr Humphrey said.
“In addition to this hotel, there is the potential for a further hotel following the recent Council endorsed Temporary Local Planning Instrument ( TLPI), which is still pending
state government approval.
“The increasing residential density and the significant population growth in Aura is generating significant increased demand on Caloundra and surrounding beaches.
“We understand the intent of the recently adopted Hotel Incentive Policy that provides significant reduction in contributions to the infrastructure fund.
“However, we remain concerned that this will have a significant impact on the infrastructure budget, on top of what has been limited investment due to budget pressures in the Caloundra area.”
IHG Hotels and Resorts, in partnership with venture firm Felix Capital, announced in April 2024 that the Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra would open in 2028.
The development will follow the opening of the 181-room Holiday Inn Maroochydore in 2022.
The site is currently occupied by a low rise commercial hub and was sold to Caloundra City Centre Pty Ltd for $9.8 million in May 2022.
