Construction has officially commenced on the Aura Town Centre, a significant new retail, dining, and entertainment precinct located within Stockland’s largest master-planned community on the Sunshine Coast. This development will feature two prominent grocery stores, Woolworths and Aldi, alongside a variety of services and specialty retailers.
Spanning approximately 16,300 square meters, the first stage of the centre will include the two supermarkets, two mini-majors, and about 55 specialty retailers and kiosks. Stockland’s executive general manager of town centres, Marco Ettorr, emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “Today marks an important milestone for both our retail business and the Aura community, with construction now underway on the new Aura Town Centre.”
A Community Hub in the Making
The announcement comes as part of Stockland’s broader vision to create a vibrant community hub that integrates residential, retail, and recreational spaces. The town centre is set to become the heart of the 100-hectare Aura City Centre, connecting with the 5.3-hectare Aura Parklands currently under construction.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighted the town centre’s importance to the region, stating, “Queensland is open for business and delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy. A thriving community needs a heart and helps make a development a place to call home.”
Local Leaders and Community Support
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton also expressed excitement about the project, noting its potential to enhance the community. “As our community continues to grow, it’s essential that infrastructure, services, and local job opportunities grow with it,” she said. “Importantly, this development will help strengthen Aura as a connected and vibrant community hub.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli echoed these sentiments, describing the centre as a vibrant area where people can connect and enjoy local amenities. “This will be a place where people can truly connect, meet friends and enjoy everything on offer – with active transport options and local services all close by to support a strong and thriving community,” Natoli remarked.
Economic and Social Implications
The development is expected to have significant economic and social implications for the region. According to Stockland, the Aura Town Centre will support more than 15,000 jobs across the region over the next 20 years, as the community grows to accommodate more than 50,000 residents across 20,000 homes.
Woolworths Queensland’s senior property portfolio manager leasehold, Anthony Duggan, expressed enthusiasm about the new store, stating, “Customers will have the opportunity to shop in-store from a range of everyday essentials or place an order for Direct to Boot or home delivery. This modern Woolworths supermarket will create a number of jobs throughout construction, and ongoing, to complement and support the growing region.”
Future Prospects and Developments
The Aura Town Centre is being developed, owned, and managed by Stockland, with construction led by FDC Construction & Fitout. The centre is expected to open in late 2027, representing a key milestone in the ongoing development of the Sunshine Coast region.
Designed to foster community engagement and economic growth, the town centre will also feature the future Aura Hotel operated by the Comiskey Group, enhancing the retail and mixed-use heart of the Aura City Centre.
As the project progresses, stakeholders and residents alike anticipate the positive impact this development will have on the local economy and community life, transforming Aura into a thriving urban hub.
