MCU14/0106 & OPW15/0001 Compiled Information Request Response

9 Catalyst for Future Diversified Development

Information request:

‘The application suggests the Noosa Civic expansion would act as a catalyst for future
diversified development of the NBC but does not elaborate on how the proposal provides
real drivers for such development ...’

Demonstrate how the expanded retail centre would ‘serve as a catalyst for future
development of the SBC’, as stated in the Town Planning report.

Response:

9.1 RETAIL AS A DRIVER OF ACTIVITY

Successful Town Centres, and indeed broadly based ‘activity centres’ in general, are characterised by a
wide range of drivers and factors which contribute to the overall vibrancy and viability of the centre. A
diverse range of uses, design and layout, accessibility and transport, and physical integration of the
various uses and spaces are all important to making an activity centre work effectively.

A masterplanned approach is most effective, especially if it is possible to layout the Town Centre on a
greenfield or brownfield site. Examples of Town Centres implemented around a masterplan include
Joondalup and Ellenbrook in Perth, Robina (Gold Coast), Springfield (Brisbane), Rouse Hill (Sydney) and
Craigieburn and Point Cook (Melbourne).

While the broad mix of uses in these Town Centres all contribute to the activity in the centre, retail is the
most important generator of activity. By extension it is generally acknowledged that retail is the main
catalyst for further investment and development as a Town Centre goes through its development and
growth phases. In the absence of definitive evidence of cause and effect, Robina is an excellent case
study in this regard.

The Robina Town Centre was a key part of a large masterplanned development that began in 1981 when
the first house block was sold. The commencement of residential development was followed by
construction of the lake in 1982, the opening of Bond University in 1985, the golf course in 1990 and the
high school in 1995. The Robina Town Centre opened in 1997, and at this stage it was predominately a
shopping centre. Over the following 15 years or so, as shown in Figure 9.1 on the following page, the
Town Centre has changed dramatically, so much so that the retail component of the centre in 2015 is a
much lower proportion of Town Centre GLA.

As shown in Figure 9.2, the Robina Town Centre and environs has developed into a broadly based
activity centre and employment hub since the original seeds were sewn in the late 1990s. There is now
around 75,000 sq.m of office space, in addition to the shopping centre, showrooms/bulky goods outlets,
medical and entertainment facilities.

URBIS. —
NOOSA RESPONSE REPORT - RETAIL ECONOMICS JUNE 2015 V2 GATALYST FOR FUTURE DIVERSIFIED DEVELOPMENT 2 3