Retail landlord Stockland is moving ahead with the first stage of its Birtinya Town Centre development on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Construction of the $87 million Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre commenced prior to Christmas and has made significant progress in under two months.

“We have wasted no time getting to work on this this integral first stage of construction for the Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre which will be located right at the heart of the Birtinya Town Centre,” said Caitlin Sandford, Stockland development manager.

“Significant piling and ground improvement works are currently underway and we are working towards our first key milestone next month which will see wall panels for the centre erected.”

Stockland Birtinya will feature flagship Coles and Aldi supermarkets, two mini-majors, an open-air, late night dining precinct, approximately 30 specialty retailers and 522 car parking spaces. Stockland has committed to a 5 Star Green Star As Built rating for the centre, featuring solar panels and end of trip facilities among other sustainability measures.

The property firm said it expects the first stage to be complete by the end of 2018.

Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre is the first stage of the broader $830 million Birtinya Town Centre masterplan development.

Across an area of 18 hectares, Stockland plans to develop a town centre for Birtinya which will include the subregional shopping centre, a new civic plaza, walkable waterfront along Lake Kawana and open green space – all integrated with commercial, health related research facilities and high density residential.

“The Birtinya Town Centre masterplan is the next big catalytic project for Oceanside bringing together commercial, apartments and mixed use development with open green space to create jobs and drive future investment across the Sunshine Coast region,” said Mark McMahon, senior development manager, Stockland.

“This will be Oceanside’s dynamic urban heart, a place that is centralised and accessible – a place that connects people for business and fun, and, importantly, creates a regional destination for the Sunshine Coast.”

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