"Entry statement" planned at Strathpine

A huge new development planned on land at Strathpine would be an “entry statement” to those coming into Moreton Bay Region.

Two indoor sports/recreation centres are the main features of proposals, submitted to Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC), for a 14-hectare site on the corner of Gympie Rd and Kremzow Rd.

It has working names of Strathpine Gateway and Strathpine Xcentre and if approved by MBRC, Comiskey Group hopes construction would start next year.

Comiskey Group Director Rob Comiskey said the company’s planned development over four hectares would create 300-400 new jobs and was “very different to what we have done before”.

Size and scale

The group is best known for its Eatons Hill, Sandstone Point, Beachmere and Samford hotels, shopping centres and future plans for a festival site at Coochin Creek.

“We looked at what we do not have (in the region),” Mr Comiskey said, “and felt it was something of this size and scale.”

“There could be rock climbing, trampolining, indoor golf, indoor motor sport, skating … and it could activate events in (Pine Rivers) park.”

“With 34,000 cars going past every day, we think it would be an entry statement for this region - and a kick-start (a revival of) Strathpine.”

Back to future

Strathpine has a sentimental place in the history of Comiskey Group. It was there founder Paul Comiskey (Robert’s father) built and operated his first development, a squash and fitness centre, more than 50 years ago.

Robert Comiskey said the group's new project – which includes a hotel/club, restaurants and drive-through – would be on four hectares with the remainder landscaped.

Between a third and half of the new construction would be on suspended slabs above flood levels, but the back section, closest to the railway line, is already raised.

“The building designs are next level up and we have done a lot of work on flooding issues,” Mr Comiskey said, “only the front portion would be suspended.”

In the future

On former farm land bought last year, Mr Comiskey said there would be two entrances, one off Gympie Rd and the second from Kremzow Rd which was “flood free access”.

Comiskey Group also hopes to open a The Doonan, a new hotel development between Eumundi and Noosa, in November.

Originally a German restaurant, it was bought by Comiskey Group in 2006 and is being transformed into a “modern, garden-inspired setting”.

The exterior and landmark red roof are being retained, Mr Comiskey said it would be “kid friendly” and “something very different for the Sunshine Coast”.