Stockland has commenced civil construction on Birtinya Central, a 28-hectare mixed-use town centre in Birtinya, Queensland, with the precinct projected to deliver up to 2,600 apartments alongside retail, commercial, entertainment and community space at an anticipated development investment of approximately $3.72 billion.

The groundbreaking, held 23 October 2026, marks the transition from masterplanning into active delivery for one of the Sunshine Coast's most significant urban projects. The precinct is positioned adjacent to the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct and is intended to serve as a major residential and employment hub as the region enters the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Civil contractor BMD has been appointed to deliver the enabling works, covering earthworks, drainage, roads and services that will underpin the precinct's future public realm. No architect or residential builder for individual apartment stages has been announced.

Scale and economic impact

The 28-hectare precinct is planned to accommodate approximately 5,200 residents across up to 2,600 apartments, alongside a substantial non-residential programme of retail, commercial, entertainment and community uses. At full build-out, the precinct is projected to support approximately 4,205 ongoing full-time equivalent jobs, according to an economic benefit assessment prepared by Urbis for Stockland in October 2026.

The assessment forecasts between 722 and 964 full-time equivalent jobs per annum during the construction period, with gross value added of between $111.3 million and $148.4 million per annum. Annual gross value added from ongoing operations is estimated at $630.7 million, with approximately $149.8 million in annual retail, hospitality and lifestyle spending expected from future residents.

The $3.72 billion investment figure, inclusive of GST, covers the anticipated development value across the broader construction period, rather than solely the current civil works contract.

No whole-of-precinct completion date has been announced. Individual residential and commercial stage details remain to be confirmed as the delivery programme progresses.

Public realm and masterplan

The defining spatial element of the refreshed masterplan is a central green spine connecting the future public transport hub with Lake Kawana, the recently opened cable-stay bridge and the broader Kawana Sports Precinct. The landscaped corridor is intended to provide continuous pedestrian and cycling access between the transport interchange, waterfront and sporting facilities.

Stockland Development Director Matt Patullo says the project addresses the region's most pressing infrastructure and housing challenges while leveraging its position in an emerging Olympic precinct.

"Birtinya Central will help meet some of the Sunshine Coast's biggest opportunities and challenges over the coming decade, from housing supply and job creation to infrastructure investment and preparation for Brisbane 2032," Patullo says.

"We're delivering a new town centre that will bring homes, businesses, services and community spaces together in one of the region's most connected locations, alongside the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct and future public transport infrastructure."

Aerial overview of the proposed Birtinya Central masterplan

Transport positioning

Future transport connectivity is central to the precinct's long-term positioning. The future Birtinya station is expected to function as the key interchange linking Stage 2 rail and Stage 3 metro services of The Wave, a proposed Sunshine Coast public transport project, placing Birtinya Central at the intersection of the region's planned network expansion.

Stockland also flags anticipated benefits from the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade, with Patullo noting the precinct's proximity to planned regional infrastructure investments aligned with Brisbane 2032.

"Located within the emerging Olympic precinct, the project is uniquely positioned to benefit from and support region-shaping investment, most notably being 'The Wave' and the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade," Patullo says.

"The future Birtinya station is expected to become the key interchange linking Stage 2 rail and Stage 3 metro services of 'The Wave', placing Birtinya Central at the heart of a more connected region and supporting the next phase of growth on the Sunshine Coast."

Government and industry backing

Deputy Premier Bleijie characterised the commencement of works as a demonstration of industry confidence in Queensland's economic conditions and the Sunshine Coast's growth trajectory ahead of 2032.

"An investment of this scale shows industry's confidence in Queensland and its willingness to back the Sunshine Coast's future with billions of dollars in new investment," Deputy Premier Bleijie says.

"The Crisafulli Government is making it clear that Queensland is open for business and projects like Birtinya Central demonstrate that message is being heard loud and clear."

The Deputy Premier emphasised the government's focus on enabling conditions for private investment as a driver of housing supply, employment and economic activity.

"We're focused on creating the right conditions for businesses to invest, build and grow, because when businesses have confidence, Queenslanders benefit through more homes, more jobs and stronger local economies."

With civil works now under way, Birtinya Central moves from the planning and approvals phase into infrastructure delivery, establishing the foundations for one of the Sunshine Coast's primary urban centres ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Images: Supplied

Architecture & Design Team

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