The Queensland minister overseeing a significant development proposed for a fragile coastal strip has come under fire for “undermining” council and the community.
Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Stephen Miles has refused Sunshine Coast Council’s plan to reduce density in the Buddina Urban Village northern precinct.
Council wants to reduce it from ‘high density’ to ‘medium density’, as part of a change to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme. But the minister’s refusal means the building height will remain at 21m and not be reduced to 12m.
Do you have an opinion? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli said Mr Miles’ decision means he has refused the community’s wishes to reduce the density of the future development in Buddina.
“The State Government is pushing us to have increased population and increased density along our coastal strip, when the residents of the Sunshine Coast don’t want it,” Cr Natoli said.
“What’s worse, is they are not providing any of the infrastructure which would ease the growing pains.
“Our roads are under pressure and yet, this council’s move to listen to the people has been undermined.”
A spokesperson for Mr Miles noted that he had approved for the Council’s proposed major amendment to the Planning Scheme to go to public consolation – except for the proposed change to Buddina Urban Village.
“The proposed planning amendment to the Buddina Urban Village seeks to reduce densities and building heights to be less than their current form,” the spokesperson said.
“At a time when we are faced with housing challenges across the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and Australia, any change that would reduce housing is not viable.
“The proposed amendment would reduce opportunities to provide diverse, affordable and comprehensive housing options in a well-serviced location with established infrastructure and services.”
Cr Natoli said the growth the State Government said “we must have” should be centered around a heavy rail line with purpose-built communities, not thrust on the fragile coastal strip.
“I am calling on the Government to listen to the people of the Sunshine Coast and to stop ignoring us,” Cr Natoli said.
At the April Sunshine Coast Council meeting, councillors voted six to four in favour of amending the planning scheme, but Mr Natoli said Minister Miles had advised the council the proposed change to the Buddina Urban Village may not proceed at this time.
“Mr Miles … is not satisfied the state’s interests relating to housing supply, affordability and diversity, and the efficient use of land as outlined in the State Planning Policy and the ShapingSEQ Regional Plan have been appropriately considered or integrated,” Cr Natoli said.
“The problem is, he did it prior to us commencing public consultation.”
-
A map indicating the Buddina Urban Village northern precinct. Picture: Friends of Buddina.
The Buddina Urban Village sub-precinct is part of the council’s urban corridor from Maroochydore to Caloundra and has four components:
- south-west at 11m (modified to 12m)
- south-east at 11m (modified to 12m)
- north-west at 11m (modified to 12m)
- north-east at 21m
Community group, Friends of Buddina, petitioned for re-zoning and height consistency for the Buddina Urban Village (Residential), which was presented at the March 2019 Meeting. The petition included 228 original signatures.
“The good governance decision-making by six Councillors is a credit to their integrity,” the group said on its website recently.
“We thank those six Councillors for their recognition, respect and support for the Buddina community’s concerns over intense development along the State declared erosion prone area, plus associated climate change impacts and the council’s responsibilities as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.”
What will be built in the village’s north-east precinct now remains unclear.
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
