Sunshine Coast Wave Pool In Doubt As Company Folds
A company owned by the developer behind a long-awaited water park and surf pool project on Queensland's Sunshine Coast has gone into administration, with the land to be put on the market early in the new year.
The $350 million project was to include a $40 million surf pool, a four-star 160-villa family resort and a water park.
Nurrowin Pty Ltd bought the 25-hectare property on Steve Irwin Way, Glenview, for $4.1 million in late 2015. Water park plans were announced in 2016, but revised over the years.
Nurrowin director Bradley Sutherland, who is also chief executive of Sanad Capital, revealed his latest vision for the project in May.
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has confirmed Nurrowin is under external administration, with a receiver and manager appointed. The ABC understands there are two secured creditors that were involved in financing pre-construction of the development.
Nurrowin's debts are believed to total at least $10 million. As part of the debt recovery process, a commercial real estate agent has been appointed to handle the sale of the land. The site is expected to go to market in late January.
Battle of the surf parks
Mr Sutherland has been approached several times for comment but has not provided a response to questions about the water park's future.
The project had already been bogged down by delays. Sanad Capital had challenged Sunshine Coast Council's infrastructure charges and fees through the courts. The company also launched an appeal against the council's approval of a rival surf park development at Glass House Mountains.
The appeal was dismissed, paving the way for both tourism ventures to go ahead. At the time, Mr Sutherland said he would "keep cracking on" with his park.
"If someone wants to copy us, our ideas…everything that we've done that's fine…but you know, I'd like to think we're years ahead," he said.
"We're creating a destination ... it's going to be really big for the Coast."
Sunshine Coast Council approved a development permit for operational works at the site in August. The ABC understands the land will be sold with the approvals in place, which would allow the buyer to proceed with another tourism venture if they wished.
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments
Is this the same location proposed for Greg Webber's first wavepool, that was announced almost ten years ago?
https://www.swellnet.com/news/surfpolitik/2014/07/29/sunshine-coast-hous...
I realise Steve Irwin Way is a long road, but the Glenview stretch is only 3km.
Jeez, this site has some history.
April 2017: "A proposed $400 million water park on the Sunshine Coast has been hit by three separate court cases amid accusations of treachery and double dealing."
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/the-water-park-the-...
The Brisbane Times article includes this cracker of a quote:
"Mr Downing said he had reason to doubt the claims being made by the new developers in their marketing material for the scheme."
"It's still a paddock and I think it will stay a paddock. If they've got $400 million, then, as they say in Yorkshire, my arse is a cream bun."
As a side note: one of the three players in the article above was David Baird.
Three years prior - in Feb 2014:
"On Friday Greg Webber signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the first of his Webber Wave Pools. The agreement comes two years after Webber's first public proposal. The developer is David Baird, an Australian entrepreneur. It was Baird who signed the MOU with Webber and made the venture public."
https://www.swellnet.com/news/surfpolitik/2014/02/16/queensland-get-firs...
(note: the new wave park proposal via Nurrowin was to use American Wave Machines i.e. Perfect Swell, not Webber)
Speaking of Webber, is his tech finally going to get developed?
https://www.gottagoorlando.com/post/plans-officially-revealed-for-huge-4...
https://www.facebook.com/OceanSportsDevelopment/
good links thanks
No
15-acre surf pool featuring innovative wave technology developed and patented by surfboard pioneer Greg Webber. Utilizing programmable flow controls to produce an artificial reef effect, the Webber Wave Pool system will create a remarkably variable surf environment, with wave shapes and sizes that will lead the industry. The patented wave systems will be made from mass-manufactured component integration, assuring cost-effective systems construction, operation, and maintenance.
Time flies
Ya would think if a wave pool can be profitable in Melbourne, then the Sunny Coast would be a no brainer. Mild weather all year, heaps of local surfers with fickle surf and lots of flat spells, airport at Marcoola and Brisbane an hour down the road.
Ain't a good environment to be raising capital right now.
True ....
Reckon whoever gets set up first though will be on a winner....
Do we know the Melb tub is profitable though? Huge set up costs.
you can do your own maths . every day session is booked out and you know the cost per surfer per session . The set up costs were not that high as we are dealing with a one off instilation ( yes it requires maint , but not anything new here ) . the beauty is low labor costs , the beast is energy costs . regardless its doing quite nicely .
Ain't quite that simple.
give me a break ! , its leased land next to an airport , no one wanted it , The total project was completed within the contract envelope and has not missed a beat since day one . Its a going concern , fact . The new pool is ready to start near Avalon airport , check who owns the land , he usually backs winners .
Installation costs "not that high" and "cheap labour" to keep it running?
You make running a wave pool sound so easy.
BTW the total project wasn't completed 'within the contract envelope' (whatever that means), neither is the Sydney wave pool.
Not missed a beat since day 1 - Ha ! the joint opened Jan 2020 and along came covid ,, and we all know how that went in Melbourne , lockdown capital of the world !
From a quick google, construction costs of the Melb tub were around $40m. That’s a hell of a lot of sessions to sell to get anywhere near covering that (not including overheads).
I know they are pretty busy at this time of year but the morning sessions can still be fairly quiet so it’s not like they’ve got 36 punters in the pool every hour of the day.
I certainly wouldn’t be investing in one.
Bloody Hell Sheep, that Skynews bollocks has been debunked a hundred times since Fruadenburg said it in a desperate attempt to hold his seat...time to move on now champ
But he's right that the first year of Covid would have had a significant impact on this place, especially as it occurred not long after opening.
Also, they've been offering plenty of weekday discounts over the past few months. Place is definitely not booked out day in day out.
settle down mate , I wasn't suggesting if it was true or not , just the fact that when Urbnsurf first opened it had to deal with Vic being locked down and the joint having to be closed for weeks and weeks ..,, champ
One month to reply? Okay. You could have just walked back your incorrect statement
The massive cost over runs at the Tula Tub (double what they expected) and the same happening in Sydney (coming in even higher than Melb) will scare off many and leaves a question mark on profitability. Tula would be cash flow positive for sure but a long way delivering a return to investors. The first advantage and novelty is also gone. That all said there is a great opportunity for someone to do the experience 10 times better than Urbrn. They struggle to get the basic right (apart from the wave).
Geographically Brisbane hasn’t moved but it’s now 3 hrs down the road. Sunny coast is now packed//rooted!
And it ain't slowing down anytime soon.... Development that is ...
Nice that they managed to bulldoze a bunch of trees before going tits up.
Wave pools gotta be up there with NFTs and Dodge Rams in the doing dumb shit on a dying planet game.
Haha, I agree. I have to admit, the big, dumb American truck thing caught me by suprise. We'll see what's next in store!
Bit of pyramid scheme thrown in too I suspect
100%
Nailed it
So.. is this an opportunity for KSWC to pick up land for their pool?
Would KSWC be commercially viable for regular punters??
No idea, but they obviously had a biz plan for the Sunny Coast up until recently. I can't see how a geographic shift 25km south would make much of a difference.
So unless things have changed, surely this would be under consideration.
I think Stark was part of this proposal wasn't he? Also, I think the pool at Coolum was the shiny thing to distract from the development of wetland into a canal based residential sprawl for the multitudes of Boomers who still have a modicum of self respect to not move into a Living Gems™ lifestyle resort.
Nail- Head.
Great news. Hopefully that's the end of it.
My Dad was a Yorkshire man and his arse was never a cream bun (at least he never uttered the phrase in my presence - but I wish he had've. I like it and given the opportunity, I'll use it.)
Is that FOUR Sunny Coast parks failed or in trouble - can anyone clarify please.
1. KSWC - Coolum West
2. Greg Webbers - Glenview (near Steve Irwin Way)
3. Sanad - Steve Irwin Way
4. Stockland - Twin Waters West
Lets not forget the plunger further north at Yeppoon which is yet to become a commercial reality.
Personally, I'd like to see one of Greg's concepts get up. He's off the charts a bit, but he's likeable wacker.
How about the one at Noosa North Shore back in 2020?
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/12-08-2020/wave-pool-project-in-deep-water/
That makes five.
Well. My arse is a cream bun.
Sunny Wave Pool War Casualties (Xmas Wish List)
Wave Pool War Trench Warfare
2002 { Surfing World } Wave Pool 1800m2 [P]480 (Airport / 500m to Beach)
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/mals-at-on...
2004 { Adventura } $90m Cobould Park Racecourse (W'n'W > Typhoon Lagoon)
https://www.parkz.com.au/article/2007/04/30/115-90_million_water_park_de...
......................................................................................................................................................
Wave Pool War 1 (Shoot yerself in both feet > arms while blowin' yer brainz out!)
2014 ( Waterplay ) $90m {*Webber Pool/s} / SA / WSL Tour
Site has Horse Shed central to Sunny Horse Trail > ( Sunny Pro JW -Bails-Courts)
Site & Neighbouring Wave Pool is never outta the courts...every day for next 100 years!
2016 {*WW} Sanad $400m > Shows Webber Pool for 6 years
2021 { *Endless Surf }
2022 { *Perfect Swell } Sanad jump the queue to bully [M1] Rivals Surf Parks Oz.
2023 [ FOR SALE ] Comes with 4 Rubber Stamped Wavepools.
Wave Pool War spreads from SEQ > Middle East
{*Surf Lakes} planned to develop both Gold Coast Parkwood + Modon Surf Abu Dhabi Stadium.
https://mcarthurcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Cove-presentation...
Both projects were later approved...
Nov 2023 Abu Dhabi Surf Ranch opens early 2024 > GC Parkwood Endless Surf wins Approval
https://www.swellnet.com/comment/904485
.............................................................................................................................................................................
Wave Pool War II
Sep 2019 *Surf Ranch WSL slip $50k to Anna 2023 hands $6m back to WSL...Bye! & Bye!
Anna + WSR Mayors fight to stoke WSL Xmas Stocking with WSR Bonus freebies! More! More!
Oct 2019 {*Surf Lakes } Sell a Sunshine Coast Licence (Still Active!) GC Robina is another?
July 2020 Bain Manor {*Surf Loch } Noosa North Shore VIP Beach Hang (Conflicted Hodad Councilors!)
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/10-07-2020/making-waves/
Dec 2020 *Surf Parks Australia {*AWM Perfect Swell} Glass House Mtns (Approved)
https://www.swellnet.com/comment/895219
Jan 2021 {*Urbnsurf } Progressing 'North' Brisbane Prime Site" for next Wave Garden
https://surfparkcentral.com/urbnsurf-eyes-three-new-surf-pool-projects-i...
Dive into the swellnet Sunny Wave Pool War Trilogy...perfect Xmas Gift!
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2020/05/28/sunshine-coas...
icandig were the coolum west pool and the twin waters west the same or separate ???
Yeah...I'm a bit confused about that one. Twin Waters west has a housing development proposed which is copping some heat from the locals. It's marshy unattractive land and probably has some environmental value for frogs and other swampy creatures. I'm pretty sure there was a KSWC pool mentioned there as well as Coolum....I don't know for sure.
the twin waters development just got approved last week , with conditions ,
Cheers. It looks like the wave pool was Coolum and Twin Waters West is a separate development. Twin Waters west is on a flood plain and there were concerns about the Coolum wave pool affecting it. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong - I only did a quick scan of the articles attached.
https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2023/12/14/contentious-plan-for-450....
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/world-surf...
Sunny Developers were pooling to Rockwall the River Mouth to free up the Blue Heart.
All these Canal Developments were bundled to trade off Flood Drain / Gain...
Yes! Often grouped in same Govt News articles where Locks / wavepool were discussed.
tbb can recall & shared that Rock Groynes were code for Wave Pool approval.
Also Recall : Kelly's earlier SEQ Pimpama Wave Pool on similar floodplain
Nov 2012 Maddison Estate $1B Com Games KSWC Surf Precinct (4,500 residents) (vs) 450?
Also Sounds similar? Yes...easier to Mix'n'match any of those Flood plain Residential Wave Pools.
https://tracksmag.com.au/kelly-slater-wave-park-announced-for-gold-coast...
https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/articles/swelling-support-for-kell...
March 2013 swellnet Stu & Crew also wrapped that one up...very similar to Kelly's Sunny Ranch.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/surfpolitik/2013/03/20/kelly-slater-dealt-...
Thanks TB. Took me a while to circle back to this one. I'm looking to becoming your distant neighbour in the area in the not too distant future. (Hence my interest).
icandig is buying Sanad...swing yer mates in...throw the basherz a lifeline!
Don't worry...yer not crazy > tbb can fish out the exact linking of the 2 Projects
5 June 2020 tbb : Sunny Council Officers wish for Maroochy River Rockwall Seaway
Try this one... tbb likely shoved it in yer face! (Sorry!)
*Hydrologist Trevor Johnson worked on both Lower Twin Waters < > Upper WSL Ranch
Reckon tbb alone tried linking about 10-20 Sunny / Pools during Peak Development phase!
21 Aug 2020 tbb : Kelly switches from Goldie (4,500) to Sunny
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2020/05/28/sunshine-coas...
icandig might have been mucked up by this generic Sunny Wave Pool Layout
Seriously : That could be confused with any Sunny Wave Pool of the day...
Says WSL ...Who buys that hunk of shit?
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/72385abb1e7d67f1171b545f3c1e1701
Sanad changed Wavepools several times > Promo 4 different plans all approved..
Just grab any one of them to slot into the Lock / Lagoon over at Twin Waters...same deal!
Think tbb confused one of the parks with the other Park's Surf Loch deal...
icandig would be right at home, fellow Qldurrz have no bloody idea wot pool goes where.
Take yer pick at resident pro for any or all SEQ wave pools > all got Vacant Caddy Shacks!
Reckon even the crew can't answer why not one SEQ Wave Pool has locked in a SEQ Pro...
Perhaps tbb just answered why...They're all sellin' them on as Upzones. (No pool needed!)
Just after the new Flexy "Wavepool Zoning" To ramp more Hi-rise where the Pool Goes!
Wave Garden signed up number 1 / Olympian + half dozen ...some for pools not even built!
Sunny Wavepool War was to sort it out! Who Won what Pro to surf Where!
New Wave Pool owner might play the State Election Campaign for Clean Slate Court review!
Big money ridin' there...any Hedge Fund would restart the War with Top Brass override!
Anyone consider WSL Starkey puttin' in a bid...heard someone laugh! FFS!
Ha ha. It'll be a vastly more humble abode than a Sanad beach shack and artificial pond, but the bashers will be welcome to drop in any time.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-14/stockland-twin-waters-west-prelim...
I wonder how much it will cost to insure a house (or indeed anything) built on a floodplain. Once the developer has handed over the body corporate I assume their liability is nil but the council probably doesnt get off that lightly.
Only one wave pool open. Developers blame cost and complexity.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-02/cost-and-complexity-of-building-s...
Good summary Remi -g, cheers.
Gold Coast screaming out for one, between there and Brissy. This will have the biggest chance of success based on populations, airports Brissy and Cooly, huge surfer numbers, ideal climate , trains, buses.
Its a given.
They used to have a cable ski wake water park. Quite fun it was . Waves are in the ocean........
They are building one at Parkwood on the old golf course flood plain site, along with a couple of hundred of million-dollar condos.
Just got my popcorn. The Orlando surf park will be a Webber Wave Pool. WWP was the original plan for Steve Irwin Way.
Then the guy from Penny skateboards got a WWP license and formed Tunnel Vision. What became of that? Heard that some mining company wanted a WWP to save on FIFO workers in WA.
Wavepool king Tom Lochtefeld reckons they are all toast, well except his design.... @palmbeachsurfclub
Interesting podcast thanks. Sounds legit I heard they are planning a wave garden in NZ but the PSSC makes so much more sense purely because of the size of the pool. I can’t believe that golf course debacle. The public sometimes are a funny bunch
I think if you have a wave pool with a good commercial plan like wave garden it's a smart move to get in and build them in all major capitals (assuming the one in Melbs turns over a decent profit).
If you're the first pool in a capital it would definitely put off alternative pool design companies from investing in a town that already has one set up.
Almost Ready to Rumble ....Test Riders Wanted
https://urbnsurf.com/sydney/
I saw a Prospectus for a Wavepool resort around Sydney ( Hawkesbury ? ) over a year ago .
A Private Wavepool Club .
Didn't see it mentioned above .
Very professional with a BIG name woman surfer endorsing it ( Steph ? ) and looked great .
I wonder if it got up and is being built ?
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2023/07/30/wisemans-ferr...
Thank u , Ben .
I see the retail investors got their money back .
I am a member of a Private Golf Club .
They are still opening , all over Australia , on lovely land .
I would LOVE to ditch the Golf Club for a Surf Club , bloody oath .
Tow OUTS !!!!! ( I use a golf cart ) and a massage after with first aid handy .
WARM water , definitely !
Big fans for constant off shores .
Lots of Sand ( the bunkers ) and SOFT bottoms ( in the pools ) .
Surfer heaven with 6 foot waves !
I would go to the surf club regularly ( golf once a month ) so the fee could be 10 times more and STILL be better value .
edit
I would probably live at the surf club .
It would need a cemetery , to .
and a massage after with first aid handy .
Im taking up Golf
:-]]
Udo
Stuff Golf .
With your Sherlock skills U can find a nice spot for " Udo Surf Ranch " .
Just model it on a Private Golf Club's view of hospitality .
Don't tell your mates that are golfers , but , our Clubs Real power brokers are the Ladies ( our guys just or won't admit it ) .
It's wonderful .
Great parties with fantastic food .
The course is lovely .
There is First aid , but women haven't given approval for massages .
Golf is not as strenuous as surfing , so they probably think , spending time chatting is a better happy ending to a day at the club .
I am inclined to agree ( I do this with many woman in my life . now ) .
So , when the technology can do 6 ft sets , as Eddie would say , "Udo , U (We) Go " .
edit
Women surfers are different to golfers .
They will think having a massage AND chatting will give a happier ending to a Surfing day .
I would have a nice dinner and go straight to sleep ( thinking about the next day and going Left , instead of Right ) .
See ya later wave pools.
Fuck off down to the Goldy where fake money and fake smiles will fill the goats pockets for their insta worthy moment.
All the while the white shoe brigade jack off to front yard g-strings from their million dollar condos......
$$$$$ ka-ching!!!
Gold coast personified.
Lol, are you actually suggesting the Sunshine (hoax) Coast is any more scrupulous than the Goldy? That’s hilarious!
Yes.
I put the sunny coast behind both contenders Gold coast and Byron..... Way behind.
Not to mention Sydney and Melbournes latte set.
Are you saying it's worse???
That's hilarious!!!
I get what you're saying but it's not even close.
Sunnyboys are havin' a laugh!
WSL hodads never bribed the Sunny Mayor for a rezone, too busy bankrolling his re-election campaign.
Premier : "Later on Today is the Last Dollar I Take from WSL ...Stop it Don yer ticklin' me!"
Kate : "Surf Ranch is the best Wavepool I've ever surfed...and it's free!"
Sunny Wavepool War Whiteshoe Dirigible back-peddles over Div 9 : "Take a Letter Maria!"...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS5yDONPpTEMP6uVHo5...
Surfing the Melbourne one next weekend. First time. Will be fun
https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2024/02/01/land-hits-market-after-s...
"Large hinterland site hits market after plans for huge tourist park and surf pool dissolve."
"Site approved for accommodation, waterpark and surf pool listed for sale again."
https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2024/10/18/site-earmarked-for-resor...
Hope one does go ahead...
Enough flat spells on SC and plenty of surfers here as well as brisvegas that you think would make it a goer.
Airport just up the road and warm weather nearly all year, more attractive than flying into Melbourne I would think...
Enough flat spells on SC ... So like 360 days a year?
Swell north of the border is pure cope by QLD-ers, you can typically count on one hand the number of decent days in SEQ a year. Its sad, the SC has so many setups just no swell. Maybe it'll keep the crowds down, but the SC spots tend to be NCO when its on so I'm not sure what difference it makes.
Thats the one I was hoping would get up due too it's proximity to Bribie.
Christmas Day at the rellos, "Bugger we're out of gas for the BBQ I'll go get some.", sneak a 30 minute sesh in, "Took me 5 servos to find a bottle, Christmas huh."
ahahahahahah.
Wave pools are not on my bucket list of places to score some GR8 waves.It's all about $$$ in a man made tub & that's not what surfing is all about!