Hi Everyone,

Following our Fill Up Your Cup #coffeeincaloundra catch up on 2 May last year, I wanted to share a timely update on Stockland’s vision for Aura South. As Chairman of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, and with almost a year now passed since that event, I’m pleased to provide the community with a reminder of this important opportunity as the project continues to progress through the approval process. The Chamber proudly supports Aura South as a major step forward for the Sunshine Coast’s social, economic and environmental future.

Aura South aligns strongly with our strategic pillars to Elevate and Advocate for our community — bringing new jobs, new homes, and major infrastructure investment that will help local families, businesses, and essential workers thrive. Most importantly, the project is designed around principles that protect our lifestyle, enhance our natural assets, and support the long-term prosperity of the southern Sunshine Coast.

It’s recognised that big changes require balance. The Chamber knows that the people that call Caloundra home value our natural environment, our open spaces, our relaxed coastal lifestyle, and our strong sense of place. As our region grows, our challenge as a community is to find a thoughtful middle ground — one that protects what makes this place special, while still ensuring local young people, families and key workers can find a home, find work, and enjoy the same lifestyle we have all been lucky enough to enjoy. It’s with confidence that I can say Aura South has all the key elements necessary to strike that balance.

Why Aura South matters right now?

The Sunshine Coast is growing faster than almost any other region in Queensland. That growth brings benefits — but also real challenges. When the Chamber engages with our members on the issues that them and their staff face, we hear common themes arise:
· Fewer housing options and rising prices
· Staff shortages across health, education and hospitality
· Congestion pressure on key roads
· Limited land for future business and employment
· The risk of young families being priced out of the region

Aura South offers a coordinated response to these issues by delivering:

1. More Homes and More Choice
Up to 12,000 new homes, including options that support first home buyers and key workers, helping improve local affordability and reduce pressure on existing neighbourhoods.

2. Jobs Close to Where People Live
Dedicated business and employment precincts projected to support tens of thousands of ongoing jobs, plus major construction jobs, helping businesses attract and keep staff locally.

3. Infrastructure That Benefits Everyone
The project includes significant investment in local and regional infrastructure — including transport connections, community facilities, and active travel networks such as veloways and walking trails.

4. Real Environmental Care
Half of Aura South is planned as environmental and parkland space, including the 90ha Green Heart — rehabilitated bushland, trails, waterways, and recreational areas for locals to enjoy. This supports the protection of key environmental values such as the Pumicestone Passage and Northern Inter-Urban Break.

The Chamber sees Aura South as an opportunity to shape growth on our own terms, rather than allowing unmanaged growth to shape us. If approved, Aura South would help ensure that our region continues to be a place where young families can afford to stay, key workers can live close to the jobs we need them to do, our natural assets are respected and protected and our lifestyle remains accessible to everyone.

Your voice matters — help shape the decision.

Right now, the Commonwealth Government is seeking feedback on Aura South’s Public Environment Report as part of the planning process. This is an important moment for our community — and I encourage everyone to share their perspective.

A thoughtful, well-rounded response from locals ensures decision-makers hear the interests of the whole community.

If you support a future where:
· Young people can afford to live here,
· Businesses can find staff,
· Nature is protected,
· Facilities keep up with our growth,

…then I encourage you to take a minute to complete the survey. Visit the survey link sent to your email or click here and have your say today.

You can stay in the loop with everything happening at Aura South by visiting Stockland’s project website and signing up for project updates.

Kind regards,

Michael Shadforth
Chairman, Caloundra Chamber of Commerce