The DA for Aussie World’s new water park was approved on Friday. Hopefully everyone can view the drawings I’ve uploaded.

Edited March 10Mar 10 by New display name

https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2026/03/10/aussie-worlds-60m-waterpark-expansion-approved/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQcg6pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR63QPT2JPWE_3x-gWNclz-EJfNCKfMFy0uh61sK9pgcB_3Dtq8RJACij6NsnQ_aem_Oe57UVmhEPrxvwr1FxVrtA

Council approves new Aussie World waterpark catering for up to 1800 people a day

ByChris Gilmore

10 March 2026

The Sunshine Coast is set to be home to a new waterpark after Aussie World’s proposal to build a $60 million facility was given the green light.

The plan to build the waterpark on privately owned land to the north of the existing Palmview attraction was approved, subject to conditions, by Sunshine Coast Council on March 6.

Aussie World’s parent company Timevale Pty Ltd initially submitted the development application in June 2024, with the concept design featuring 16 waterslides for all ages and numerous pools and waterplay areas.

The waterpark is also set to include food and beverage outlets, a pool bar, sun lounges, cabanas and souvenir shop.

The council issued a request for further information in July 2024, with Aussie World responding via town planners Project Urban in June last year. Further advice was provided by council in July, with the applicants replying in December.

The council’s approval includes 105 conditions and has a currency period of six years.

A minimum of 655 car parking spaces must be provided, with a two-storey car park to be built along Frizzo Connection Road, more than doubling the current capacity at Aussie World.

The conditions also include measures to minimise impacts on residents of the Palmview Forest estate to the west, with the advice from council noting it had received a petition with about 300 signatures expressing concerns.

“The residents raise residential amenity concerns, in particular about the proximity of the proposed rides and potential noise impacts,” it said.

The conditions say any buildings, excluding waterslides, are limited to a maximum height of 15 metres. All slides must also be set back at least 50 metres from the western boundary, and any within 70 metres of that boundary are not permitted to exceed 35 metres.

“Retention of a 30-metre-wide vegetated area (which will continue to contain mature trees) will also assist in visually screening the proposed development from nearby residences,” the documents state.

Project Urban notes Aussie World also conducted a survey, with about 91 per cent of 765 respondents indicating support, and that some adjustments were made to the initial proposal in response to setback concerns.

“The overall extent of the waterpark has been retained. However, rides have been relocated within the development footprint,” it said.

Architectural plans by Future Design World provide more details about the plans for the waterpark.

“The overall theming treatment for the Aussie World Water Park is based on nature and native Australian flora and fauna,” it says.

“Area treatments will feature native animal names, topiary and themed elements such as life-size animal sculptures. The architecture sets a backdrop for generous native landscaping, feature trellises, terraced rockwork and passive solar design based architectural treatments.

“The buildings are intended to create a subtropical open-air indoor/outdoor vernacular using classic Australian building materials including corrugated iron roofs and cladding as well as natural timber elements.

The site plan for the waterpark, with the two-storey car park at the top left. The existing theme park is to the right.

“In conjunction with the architectural theme, the waterpark will be nature and native Australian animal-themed with lush subtropical landscaping endemic to the Sunshine Coast. The waterpark will have Australian animal-based attraction names, signage and theming opportunities that appeal to both young and old while continuing the Aussie World celebration of everything Australiana.”

The plan also includes clearing about 2.9 hectares of vegetation, some of which Project Urban notes has previously been disturbed and is currently used for skirmish. The clearing will be offset through financial contributions and a rehabilitation plan.

A bus set-down area, passenger loading zone and bus-only lane, as well as upgrades to the intersection of Frizzo Connection Road and Pignata Road, and the northern access to the site from Frizzo Connection Road, are also required.

Aussie World has previously said the waterpark will draw an estimated 780,000 annual visitors by 2031, generating $15.2 million to $30 million towards the local tourism economy and up to $39 million through the three-year construction period. It will create employment for 193 full-time staff during the peak season and 87 full-time staff during non-peak periods.

“The waterpark will continue to strengthen the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as the tourism capital of Queensland for families and young adults, adding to the already exceptional line-up of tourist attractions across the region,” general manager Jenny Howell said in 2024.

Aussie World has been operating on the site since 1989.

The approval says the waterpark can operate from 7am-7pm Sunday to Wednesday and public holidays, and 7am-10pm Thursday to Saturday. It is expected to have a maximum capacity of 1800 patrons per day.

Aussie World was approached for comment but said it couldn’t comment further until the conditions had been fully reviewed.

Sunshine Coast News

Aussie World's $60m waterpark expansion approved

The Sunshine Coast is set to be home to a new waterpark after Aussie World’s proposal to build a $60 million facility was given the green light. The plan to build the waterpark on privately owned land

This is great news and I hope it really does get built because proposed water parks in Queensland have a history of not going ahead

All the elevations and renderings don't show a 2 storey carpark at the front, which if built, would hide most of the street appeal from the highway.

This effectively landlocks the dry park, so we're unlikely to see much more expansion in that area. RIP Aussie World.

I still think the original plans were better....

57 minutes ago, DaptoFunlandGuy said:

All the elevations and renderings don't show a 2 storey carpark at the front, which if built, would hide most of the street appeal from the highway.

That's because it's an underground carpark! A render shows the ramp going down.

15 hours ago, themagician said:

This is great news and I hope it really does get built because proposed water parks in Queensland have a history of not going ahead

I’m about 50/50 on whether Aussie World plans to build this themselves or if they’re getting the DA approval ready to sell the land or bring a partner onboard. The looping water slide makes me think the project might be drifting a bit outside their comfort zone. That’s the sort of ride where the insurance company suddenly wants a meeting.

In the end, the plans say “indicative only,” which is planning-speak for, don’t fall in love with any of these slides.

Edited March 10Mar 10 by New display name

2 hours ago, New display name said:

The looping water slide makes me think the project might be drifting a bit outside their comfort zone

I'm sure you know this, but these slides only give the illusion their looping by adding the extra fibreglass, but the slide experience offers similar sensations to a tornado or gravity wave, but are a body slide. Why would that impact insurances?

One has just been installed in Perth and while they look impressive, it's just another gimmick

Edited March 11Mar 11 by themagician

If I’d known it’s a slide that doesn’t actually loop, I wouldn’t have called it out. I just checked the one you mentioned, because I’m not over splash park installations. I’m wondering if Aussie World even realises it doesn’t loop, since they’re the ones calling it a looping slide. 🤣