Strong local feedback refines concept plan for multi-stage hinterland recreation space
A bold new vision for a district-level park in the Maleny hinterland is taking shape, with the local community’s input helping to refine plans for what promises to become a major recreational hub for residents and visitors alike.
Sunshine Coast Council has released the results of its recent community engagement on the draft concept plan for Maleny District Park, revealing strong support and valuable feedback that will shape the park’s final design.
Between May and June 2025, the project attracted nearly 2,300 views on Council’s Have Your Say website and almost 160 formal submissions, a response that Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston described as a testament to how deeply the community cares about the park’s future.
“Your feedback helped us refine the concept plan to ensure it reflects the needs and values of the Maleny community,” Cr Johnston said. “The new district park will be a place for our community to come and enjoy the outdoors together, as they experience all that our vibrant town centre and surrounds have to offer.”
Four Distinct Zones, Each With Its Own Character
The draft concept plan divides the park into four distinct areas, each designed to offer different recreational experiences while complementing the natural beauty of the Obi Obi Creek landscape and surrounding farmlands.
The Lookout, positioned along North Maleny Road, promises scenic picnic opportunities with walking trails and sweeping hinterland views. This area received a 4 or 5-star rating from 57 per cent of respondents, with particularly strong support for new pathways and picnic facilities. The plan includes a picnic shelter, viewing areas, and a bus set-down area to make this elevated location accessible to all.
The Bails, located near the historic Fairview Milking Bails along Porters Lane, proposes a more relaxed gathering space featuring open lawns, picnic spots, and a small playground. Rated favourably by 53 per cent of respondents, feedback called for more nature-based play elements and shaded seating areas. The area will also provide opportunities for night sky viewing and informal recreation.
The Hill, positioned next to Cloudwalk Estate, offers a more adventurous experience with a proposed mountain bike skills course, a “mega slide,” and views across nearby wetlands. This area garnered 54 per cent support, with the bike course and trail networks proving particularly popular with survey respondents. Students from Maleny High School specifically requested youth-oriented features including mountain bike tracks, covered hangout spaces, and climbing elements.
The Hub emerged as the most popular zone, receiving 58 per cent approval ratings. Envisioned as the park’s activity heart on Parkland Drive, it would feature a fenced dog exercise area, youth activity zone, toilet facilities, multi-sports courts including basketball, netball and pickleball, and picnic areas. This zone has been prioritised for Stage 1 development.
What Happens Next?
Council is now incorporating community feedback into a refined concept plan. The top five priorities identified for the initial stage of development at The Hub include a youth activity area, toilet facilities, primary footpath network, linking trail network, and fenced dog exercise area.
The four zones will be connected by an expanded trail network, adding to the 8.5 kilometres of existing trails in the precinct, and supported by shared parking facilities. The concept plan proposes three levels of pathways: fully accessible primary footpaths, sealed secondary paths providing shortcuts and connections, and natural ground or gravel trails through vegetated areas.
Once finalised, the concept plan will be presented to Council for endorsement before being shared publicly via the Have Your Say Sunshine Coast website.
Just over half of respondents felt the draft plan successfully captured the essence of the area, drawing inspiration from Obi Obi Creek and the surrounding farmlands. A further 25 per cent remained unsure, though their suggestions for refinement have been considered in the revision process.
Honouring Jinibara Country
The Maleny District Park is located on Jinibara country, specifically in the Nalbo clan area whose lands include the Blackall Range and much of the Glasshouse Mountains. During the consultation process, Council met with Jinibara elders to gain a better understanding of country and their vision for the park.
The elders expressed interest in seeing revegetation of the parklands, artwork depicting local wildlife such as platypus, long-necked turtles, and Mary River cod, areas to observe wildlife and the night sky, and Jinibara language included in signage throughout the park.
Council has committed to working with traditional custodians to ensure cultural heritage is protected on site and the story of country is shared.
From Farmland to Community Precinct
The Maleny District Park is part of the broader Maleny Community Precinct, a transformation that began with the endorsement of a master plan by Sunshine Coast Council in 2010. The original vision aimed to convert 126 hectares of former dairy farmland into diverse community facilities and recreational spaces.
The site has a rich agricultural history. In 1906-1907, the Pattemore family acquired the land and established a working dairy farm. The residence they built, Fairview House, remains one of the oldest surviving farmhouses in the region still located on its original site. Constructed in 1907 using beech timber that was felled, pit-sawn, and dressed on the property, the house is a rare and well-preserved example of early twentieth-century rural architecture.
Since the master plan’s adoption in 2011, the precinct has evolved significantly. Today, it houses an 18-hole golf course, sports fields, the Maleny District Sports & Recreation Club facilities, a hydrotherapy centre and gymnasium, environmental restoration areas managed by Barung Landcare, Unitywater’s water treatment forest and wetlands, and extensive walking trails. More than 50,000 trees have been planted by community volunteers over the years.
The new district park will add to these offerings, providing a range of recreation opportunities within easy reach of Maleny’s town centre.
Funding and Timeline
Council has allocated funding for the project through multiple channels. The 2024/2025 financial year saw $30,000 invested in the concept plan development and community consultation. For 2025/2026, $900,000 has been allocated for Stage 1 design and construction, with an additional $150,000 designated specifically for the dog exercise area through the Minor Capital Works Program.
However, the full concept plan carries an estimated cost of over $22 million across all stages and zones. This means current funding covers approximately five per cent of the total project cost. Council acknowledges that additional funding will need to be sought through future budget allocations, grant applications, developer contributions, and state and federal government programs to complete the entire park vision.
The concept plan indicates that Stage 1 construction documentation and approvals are scheduled for 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026. The implementation will occur in stages over multiple years, with projects prioritised based on community needs, accessibility requirements, and available funding.
A Design Inspired by Place and People
Throughout the engagement process, Council has emphasised that the park should reflect Maleny’s character, a town knwon for its vibrant centre, proximity to nature, and strong community spirit.
The design draws heavily on local elements. The material palette for furniture and structures takes inspiration from traditional Maleny farmhouses, milking sheds, and the iconic rainwater tanks that dot the landscape. Pathways will use colours and textures reminiscent of the gravels and sands found in Obi Obi Creek. Shelters will feature hip and lean-to roof lines reflecting local agricultural buildings.
The planting palette focuses on species that would have been present before European settlement, including rainforest trees like bunya pine, hoop pine, Queensland kauri pine, red cedar, and various native figs. The plan proposes strengthening vegetation links within the precinct, particularly connecting the Unitywater forest to remnant vegetation along Obi Obi Creek.
With 71 per cent of the Maleny, Witta, and North Maleny population aged over 35, and the majority of households being couples without dependents, accessibility has been identified as a key design consideration. The plan ensures that the majority of new infrastructure will be designed with accessible features to accommodate users of all ages and abilities.
Addressing Recreation Gaps
The concept plan specifically responds to identified gaps in Maleny’s current recreation offerings. While the area is well-served for toddler and primary school-aged playgrounds, with facilities at Tesch Park, Cooke Park, Cedar Grove Park, and Mary Cairncross Park, there is a recognised shortage of youth and adult play opportunities.
The district park addresses this by focusing on multi-generational activities including multi-sports courts, mountain bike facilities, large play elements like the basket swing and embankment slide, and spaces for informal sports and gathering. For younger children, the park will emphasise natural play and exploration, with paths ideal for bikes and scooters, hills for running, and a small playground at The Bails to serve the North Maleny community.
The plan also responds to the community’s strong interest in expanding and shading walking trails throughout the precinct, with 74 per cent of survey respondents supporting additional revegetation within the district park.
Community at the Heart
The consultation process revealed clear patterns in how the community intends to use the park. Survey results showed that 74 per cent plan to visit on both weekdays and weekends, with usage split evenly between morning and afternoon visits. While 51 per cent indicated they would drive to the park, 40 per cent plan to walk, reflecting the park’s proximity to residential areas and the town centre.
“This is a park for the people of Maleny, and we’re committed to getting it right,” Cr Johnston said, summarising Council’s approach to the project.
The engagement process has been extensive, beginning with Phase 1 consultations in July-August 2024 that generated 298 online responses and 47 email submissions. Council sent project information letters to 3,124 property owners in Maleny and held a “Meet in the Street” event in July 2024. During Phase 3, a pop-up information session was held on May 24, 2025, at Queensland Country Bank in Maleny, allowing residents to discuss the draft concept plan with Council staff in person.
Complementing Existing Facilities
The new district park will work in concert with other recreation improvements in the area. Earlier this year, work began on a complete upgrade of the Maleny Skate Park at the Maleny Showgrounds, with completion scheduled for October 2025. That project, supported by $250,000 from the Queensland Government, demonstrates ongoing investment in youth and recreation facilities across Maleny.
The district park will also complement facilities at Witta Sportsground and the Maleny Showgrounds, creating a comprehensive network of recreation opportunities across the locality. Additionally, the nearby Sunshine Coast Ecological Park, a 65-hectare site adjacent to Mary Cairncross Reserve with a master plan endorsed by Council in July 2023, will provide further nature-based recreation opportunities for the hinterland.
A Long-Term Vision
For a town that has successfully transformed former farmland into a thriving community precinct over the past 15 years, the District Park represents the next chapter in creating accessible, attractive recreational spaces that serve both locals and visitors.
The staged implementation approach allows the park to evolve over time as funding becomes available and community needs develop. Priority is being given to projects that improve accessibility and activate key areas of the park, particularly given the popularity of the precinct among residents who also use nearby facilities.
Significant questions remain about the timeline for completing all four zones and securing the significant additional funding required beyond Stage 1. However, Council’s commitment to community engagement and the strong public response to the draft concept plan suggest that Maleny District Park will continue to develop as a collaborative effort between local government and the passionate community it serves.
Those wishing to stay updated on the project can follow it on the Have Your Say Sunshine Coast website or contact Council’s project team at MalenyDistrictPark@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
The precinct serves a population of approximately 5,800 residents across Maleny, Witta, and North Maleny, with population growth of 30.7 per cent expected by 2041.
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