Local knowledge
Sealing conditions in Maroochydore
Maroochydore was subdivided from the Cotton Tree reserve in 1908 and has grown into the Sunshine Coast's main commercial area. Much of it is flat land close to where the Maroochy River meets the coast, with a high water table. Redevelopment around Sunshine Plaza, the CBD and the former Horton Park site has added new pavement, while ageing 1980s and 1990s retail car parks remain.
Those older sites share a set of problems. Worn crossfall leaves shallow depressions that hold water, ponding softens the base under the seal, and stress marks appear where trucks turn or queue. Strata driveways add a different problem: decisions are made by committee, so owners want scope, timing and access clearly stated before work starts.
It matters because on a working site, closing a car park costs more than resealing it. A poorly timed job can cost trade, block deliveries or leave residents without parking. A seal placed over ponding also fails early, since sealing does not fix drainage or base problems.
Our approach here is to inspect during operating hours, mark drainage issues and agree stages before quoting. We start at 6am, seal in sections and follow the forecast, since binder needs dry conditions. Sealed sections are typically trafficable within a few hours, so sites usually reopen the same day.