Our Story
Integrating the much-loved Forest Glen shopping strip into a new multi-million-dollar master-planned retail and shopping development, the Forest Glen Village Centre heralds a new era of relaxed yet sophisticated family-friendly retail for the Sunshine Coast.
With three stages of development planned, the precinct will become a vibrant, living heart for the surrounding community, as well as servicing nearby schools and businesses and passing highway traffic. The sizeable 6.6ha site will on completion deliver more than 15,500 sqm of mixed retail, commercial and industrial space.
Stage 1 commenced construction mid-2021 and officially opened December 2022, delivering more than 2,000 sqm of retail space, including an IGA Supermarket, and a 2,500 sqm health precinct. New tenants yet to open include dining and eateries, and several health and wellness practitioners.
With 200+ car large-sized parking spaces, this is destination shopping at it most convenient – set against a backdrop of lush forest and with plenty of green space to relax and unwind.
The team behind the new Forest Glen Village Centre are long-term investors in commercial and industrial property on the Sunshine Coast.
About the Board
Chairman of the Board is Tony Riddle. Tony has been involved in a range of small and medium-sized businesses over the past 30 years – from consultancies to agricultural chemical businesses.
Michael White, of White's IGA fame, commenced his retailing journey with wife Roz after purchasing a small convenience store in Maroochydore in October 1993.
There began the humble beginnings of White’s Grocers. Since this time the business has grown from one store with three staff to now 5 stores across the Sunshine Coast.
Currently, the White’s IGA Group consists of 5 stores; SUPA IGA Baringa, SUPA IGA Bli Bli, IGA Mooloolah, IGA Mt Coolum and IGA Peregian Beach.
Sitting alongside Tony and Michael on the Board is the numbers man, Tim Murray, Founder and Director of Fencescape Fencing.
Strongly family-focused, Tim’s vision was to set a new benchmark in the industry by building a professional business that combines traditional family values with a passionate focus on client service.
Tim and his wife Kerry also have years of tourism, retail and construction experience on the Sunshine Coast.
Together they built and operated the award winning tourist attraction Nostalgia Town at Pacific Paradise in the 1990’s and also built, owned and operated the Pitch and Putt Golf Centre at Sippy Downs.
The fourth and final member of the Board is Paul Leach. A seasoned commercial leader, strategist and project manager, Paul has a reputation for defining and delivering on stakeholder expectations, negotiating successful outcomes and building sustainable relationships.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the commercial and project management area, Paul has had significant involvement in the planning, negotiation, mobilisation, delivery and execution phases of many international property projects including in Australasia, Africa, South America, North America and Turkey.
Together, the team saw an opportunity to build on the existing Forest Glen precinct and carefully hand-picked some like-minded locals to invest in the project.
The Board is a group of highly talented and skilled operators who live and work on the Sunshine Coast and have come together as a passionate team to invest in this project for the long-term.
They are wholly committed to delivering to you the very best shopping village experience.
Village History
Now part of the Buderim urban area, the small community of Forest Glen started its life as a railway siding for the Buderim to Palmwoods Tramway. This light railway operated from 1914 to 1935, transporting farm produce, timber and passengers from Buderim and district to the Brisbane main line at Palmwoods.
The first significant retail development came in the 1980s with the construction of the original Forest Glen Village Centre in Mons Road. In 2019 these shops received a $650,000 makeover as part of their rebirth as an integral part of the exciting Village Centre expansion.
light railway operated from 1914 to 1935
In the late 1990s the small community grew into a private education hub, with the construction of the Montessori International School and Sunshine Coast Grammar.
More recently Forest Glen has become an idyllic place to retire, boasting a number of boutique Over-50s lifestyle resorts, nestled on the forested Buderim foothills.
Now completed, the expanded Forest Glen Village Centre provides nearby residents with greater connectivity and access to nature, via its network of user-friendly cycle paths and pedestrian walkways.