Stockland : Aura's first business park signals jobs boom for the Sunshine Coast

Australia's first six star green star city, Stockland's $5 billion Aura project on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, today celebrated the start of construction at the $222 million new business park - which will soon be home to more than 3,000 new jobs and takes Aura one step closer to becoming a major employment hub for the Sunshine Coast.

The new development is the first of two planned business parks at Aura, and is located at the gateway to the Sunshine Coast in the heart of the largest investment zone in the region, adjacent to the Bells Creek Arterial Road with convenient connections to the Bruce Highway. Combined, Aura's two new business parks are expected to create around 5,000 permanent jobs and are the pillar of Stockland's economic development strategy.

Kingsley Andrew, General Manager for Stockland's Queensland operations, highlighted the importance of early infrastructure delivery and job creation at the growing city.

'Our vision at Aura is to deliver Australia's most prosperous and connected master planned community with one job created for every household - that's 20,000 permanent new jobs over the life of the project.

'The delivery of this business park so early in the project's life creates a jobs hub that will enable Aura's early residents to work close to where they live. It's a key part of our aspiration to create the most sustainable and liveable community in Australia.

'Business innovation and economic prosperity is a cornerstone of Aura, and we are particularly encouraging businesses that promote knowledge creation and entrepreneurial activity in industry, science and technology, as well as research and development. This new business park presents a rare opportunity to be part of an emerging city in one of in Australia's fastest growing regions.

Stockland's Group Executive and CEO Commercial Property John Schroder, said: 'The launch of the $222 million Aura business park is an important part of our national Logistics and Business Parks strategy.

'The start of construction at the Aura Business Park follows the strong progress of our $680 million national Logistics and Business Park development pipeline, which also includes the new $77 million business park currently under construction at Warwick Farm in Sydney.

'Valued at more than $2 billion, the L&BP business now represents 15 per cent of Stockland's total assets, and occupancy has increased to 99 per cent across the portfolio. As an asset class, it will continue to grow and forms an increasingly important part of our commercial business.

'Earthworks for the project are now well under way. The initial stages of the business park's development will include a 'construction cluster' targeting trade-related businesses, and will feature a showroom precinct and office park,' Mr Schroder said.

The business park will accommodate a range of uses including light industry and manufacturing, bulky goods and showrooms, commercial office space, storage and warehousing, research and development, and indoor sports and recreation.

For more information on Aura or to register your interest in the Aura Business Park, go to www.cityofcolour.com, or phone 1300 762 058.

Notes to editors:

Stockland's Aura is currently Australia's largest masterplanned community project held in sole ownership, comprising 2,400 hectares on the interface of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. It is a State Government Priority Development Area. In 2030 and beyond it is envisioned to be Australia's most prosperous and connected master planned community - with a population of 50,000 residents, housed within 20,000 dwellings, and 20,000 jobs, while contributing $1.5 billion in Gross Regional Product per year to the Sunshine Coast economy.

Aura will feature nine separate sporting grounds, numerous parks and playgrounds and a 'people's place' and central park alongside a new town centre. All streets will have footpaths and all homes will be close to parks and other recreational facilities, a maximum of one kilometre away from community vegetable gardens. More than 700 hectares, nearly one-third of the site, will be rehabilitated and designated as a conservation area.