Australia’s first “Active Lifestyle” project is coming closer to reality, with the Sunshine Coast Council granting development approval for the first phase of the $400m (US$305m, €280.7m, £243m) Queensland venture.

SANAD Capital – the Australian offshoot of Dubai-based investment firm Najibi Group – is developing the project, called ACTIVE, across a 25 hectare plot on Steve Irwin Way, which it purchased in January 2016.

The council has now approved 14 hectares this to be developed with a waterpark; a great lawn for major events, concerts and community activities; an outdoor adventure park with activities including kayaking, bungee jumping, net climbing, flyboarding, zorbing and stand-up paddle boarding; and a 6,000sq m (64,500sq ft) retail zone.

US practice Thinkwell Group have designed the plan, with Canadian water park specialist WhiteWater also collaborating on the plans.

“We’re very excited about receiving approval for the first phase of our project,” said Bradley P Sutherland, SANAD Capital CEO. “We expect to break ground over the next few months and look forward to bringing this development into reality.”

The developer is now preparing to submit its phase two and three proposals to the council for approval. These include a 4 star, 225 room family hotel with conferencing facilities; an action sports precinct with world class facilities for skateboarding, BMX and parkour; and Australia’s first ‘Wave Reservoir’.

“Hotel accommodation is a vital tool in the Sunshine Coast’s growing tourism arsenal, and we aim to provide top notch services and amenities to help in attracting tourists to visit and stay longer in the area,” said Sutherland.

“From a design perspective, the hotel is envisioned to provide a seamless integration with the overall development and yet have its own identity to cater for both leisure and business guests.”

If approval is granted, ACTIVE is scheduled to open in its entirety in 2020.