Under wraps: big plans for Big Pineapple kept secret

The Big Pineapple has been covered and its famous crown removed for the time being.

WHAT’S happening at the Big Pineapple is being kept under wraps, literally and figuratively.

The heritage-listed landmark tourist attraction at Woombye has been enclosed with scaffolding and shrouded for several weeks now.

A sign in the café/information office in early January indicated that it would be closed from 12 January to 30 March.

At the same time, the Pineapple, which was repainted about five years ago, appeared to be peeling at some points.  

Some of the pineapple leaves appear to have been removed from the fruit’s crown as part of the work.

The work site has had the many passers-by on Nambour-Connection Road curious.

On social media, Matthew Wild quipped that they were trying to ripen it. 

“Looking at the paint work its over-ripened already,” replied Craig Best. 

“They’ve taken the top off, so maybe trying to grow a new one,” wrote Reva Best

A sign by Gecko Paints hung on the scaffolding indicates the pineapple, or at least part of it, has been getting a new paint job.

Co-owner Peter Kendall gave little away when contacted by the Sunshine Valley Gazette, instead indicating that all would be revealed in a matter of weeks.

A source close to the Pineapple had suggested Mr Kendall would be tight-lipped because he did not want to let people down should something not go according to plan.

In December 2019, a new master plan for the Big Pineapple site was approved by the Sunshine Coast Council to govern its redevelopment.

Documents were lodged late last year regarding private certification for demolition of a caretaker’s residence, refurbishment of the Pineapple, and a plumbing upgrade relating to a café refurbishment.