Sunshine Coast driving range poised for development

A prominent golf driving range on the Sunshine Coast is in line to make way for hundreds of homes.

A development application has been submitted to Sunshine Coast Council to divide the Chancellor Park Golf Driving Range at Sippy Downs into 12 land parcels.

The Chancellor Park Golf Driving Range, could be turned into housing.

Sunshine Coast development company RM Developments has managed the range, which is set on 4.19 hectares (10.34 acres) lot, since 2021.

The company said via a media release that there was the potential to deliver 1200 new dwellings and significantly ease the current housing crisis on the Sunshine Coast.

Director Josh Myers said the property was purchased because the company recognised the strength of the emerging community in the growing Sippy Downs precinct, which is centred around the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“The subdivision approval being sought is of strategic long-term importance to the Sippy Downs masterplan,” he said.

The zoning encourages significant population densities with maximum building heights of 25m, though there is provision for taller buildings on some corner sites.

Buildings would typically be apartments or townhouses, though other permitted uses include residential care, retirement facilities and student accommodation.

While approvals are being progressed, the company said it had no immediate plans to commence construction in the short term. The operator of the driving range has recently negotiated a new two-year lease.