Sunshine Coast could soon be home to state's third biggest water theme park

A new water theme park and resort is set to call the Sunshine Coast home after the project was given the go-ahead.

The Sunshine Coast is seeing the silver lining of the Coronavirus pandemic as plans are being finalised for the development of a new $65 million-dollar water park and eco-resort.

Despite being hit hard by job losses and investment uncertainty, the state has welcomed the economic boost the much-anticipated project will provide.

CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Daniel Gschwind, says tourism is a driver for the Queensland economy.

"Queensland as a state will benefit from the additional regional attractions that we will see coming, including from the $50 million-dollar state fund the government announced yesterday," he said.

Privately-owned development and investment company, Sanad Capital, is behind the project which has been in the pipeline since 2014.

Sanad Capital Managing Director, Bradley Sutherland said the predicted rise of short stay domestic holidays, a trend called, "cocooning" provided the perfect push for the launch of the Invigorate Integrated Tourism Resort Complex, and Actventure waterpark. 

"The ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on domestic and international travel means we're seeing a resurgence of support for local tourism, and the rising need to complement existing holiday offerings with exhilarating and refreshing experiences," Mr Sutherland said.

With Actventure expected to attract upwards of 220,000 visitors, the local economy could see an injection of $41 million dollars per year. 

Construction on the 14ha Glenview site is set to begin later this year, generating 300 construction jobs and 200 full-time positions when the holiday destination opens, and that could be as early as 2022.

Actventure's waterpark and resort, boasting self- contained family-friendly villas, and rides never before seen in Australia, will be the third largest water park in the state behind rival attractions on the Gold Coast, Wet 'n' Wild and WhiteWater World.

The project, according to Mr Gschwind, is a perfect fit for the region bringing much needed hope to the industry. 

"We need new experiences that we can offer visitors …once the lockdown stops, we can welcome visitors from Queensland and elsewhere, we need those types of experiences to entice people."

Sunshine Coast Council planning spokesman James Ruprai said the park's proposal has had both a lengthy and complex development approval history.

In December 2019, the applicant lodged a development application for a new Stage 1 comprising a resort complex (160 villas) and a revision to the tourist attraction (water park).

That application is now under assessment by council officers before being finalised.