Oz Ski Resort has submitted plans to Sunshine Coast Council to introduce short-term waterfront accommodation at its Coolum facility. The proposal would add 12 self-contained caravan sites on an isthmus extending into the private freshwater lake that hosts the resort and the adjacent Coolum Aqua Park.
The property, located at 60 Junction Drive and covering 32.6 hectares, is predominantly occupied by the lake. The campground proposal is intended to serve event participants and visitors attending on-site activities.
A letter from Project Urban, representing Oz Ski Resort, states: “The proposal includes 12 designated sites for self-contained campervans, with an anticipated occupancy of 8-12 vans at any one time.
According to the Sunshine Coast News, all vans will be fully self-contained, providing their own toilet, shower, grey-water storage and power supply. No external power, electrical infrastructure or additional utilities are proposed to service the campsites.”
Under current zoning, the site is classified as Sport and Recreation. The application for a caravan park or camping ground is subject to code assessment, although the letter notes that the use may alternatively be considered a tourist park, which would require an impact assessment.
“The proposal has therefore been designed to clearly align with the definition and intent of short-term accommodation under the planning scheme,” the letter adds.
The resort is located within a mapped flood zone. As part of the submission, a flood evacuation management plan has been prepared. The plan outlines that guests are expected to self-evacuate to areas outside the flood zone, noting that:
“The proposed development, comprising self-contained caravan sites, is well-suited to this approach, as patrons are typically equipped with sufficient resources and facilities to enable rapid departure and short-term self-sufficiency with minimal reliance on external assistance.”
Guests would have a minimum six-hour warning period to evacuate, with refuge available in the existing two-storey caretaker’s residence if necessary.
Oz Ski Resort, managed by former world champion Emma Sheers and her husband Rick Habermann since 2013, is officially recognized by the Australian Water Ski Federation as a training site. The facility offers water skiing and wakeboarding coaching, as well as banana boat rides for families and groups. The site is owned by Sunshine Coast Council.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the proposal demonstrates a model for integrating short-term camping within existing recreational sites without relying on extensive infrastructure, highlighting how self-contained accommodation can mitigate flood risk while supporting on-site visitor activities.