About Us

Our History

Sippy Creek drains the Ilkley Ridges and an area of Mooloolah Plains and flows through Sippy Lake into the Mooloolah River about 12km from the mouth of the river.

Sippy Downs, the site of the present-day University of the Sunshine Coast and Chancellor Park Estate, was part of the Moolooloo Plains pastoral run leased by John Westaway & Sons in the 1860s. The run extended from the Maroochy River to the Mooloolah River and was bordered by a coastal strip on the east.

In 1870, all runs ceased and land became available for selection or lease. The Sippy Downs site was not taken up for lease. It was noted as an open plain of wallum country, treeless, swampy plain, sandy soil with numerous holes. It was considered unsuitable for agricultural or grazing purposes and designated a "Remnant Block".

This block was surveyed in 1938, and occupied as a perpetual lease selection until 1957, when the lease was forfeited. It was incorporated with other blocks to make it more viable and in 1964 Alfred Grant Cattle Corporation was granted a special lease on the land for cattle fattening and breeding. This company went into liquidation in 1979 and in 1987 the Queensland Industrial Development Corporation became the owner and acted as the Bank for the Crown.

In 1993, Sippy Downs was rezoned allowing the creation of the University of the Sunshine Coast, which was opened in 1996, and Chancellor Park Estate.

Our Association

The Sippy Downs & District Community Association Inc (SDDCA) was established in 2003 to promote the interests of residents and business, develop local networks and foster a sense of community in this fast-growing area. The SDDCA is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation. Prior to this, local residents had met to discuss their concerns that there was no organisation to represent them and act as a coordinating body. Some of these residents had been members of the previous Tanawha and District Community Association. It was agreed that given the growth of Sippy Downs, it was logical that it be the name of the new association and the SDDCA was born.

How we operate

The Association focuses on key local issues affecting Sippy Downs & District, for example:

Development

Roads & Traffic

Transport 

Safety

Environment

Community Development

Recreation

Services for youth and older residents

This Association presents a united voice on these issues to all levels of government. We work closely with our elected representatives, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, the State Government, and other key stakeholders including schools, developers and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The Association conducts a range of meetings and forums which are open to all members and residents. A regular newsletter is also circulated to members. An entirely voluntary body, the SDDCA has an annually elected Management Committee and sub-committees dedicated to specific areas of interest, like the Environment Sub-committee. We are keen to recruit new volunteers for these sub-committees and other proposed sub-committees to cover areas like events and membership.

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Membership

Membership of the Association costs $20 per annum per household ($10 concession) with corporate membership & sponsorship also available. Join now.

University of the Sunshine Coast 

The USC is an integral part of the Sippy Downs community and achieves excellence for students who live work & play in Sippy Downs. For more information visit www.usc.edu.au/.

For information on transport to & from USC click here.