Sunshine Coast residents have been invited to have their say about a council proposal to provide short-term planning incentives to encourage the development of upscale hotels.
The proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) is in response to the need for four- and five-star full-service hotels.
Sunshine Coast Council stated that the region has a shortfall in serviced visitor accommodation of more than 2000 hotel rooms, and that many potential visitors were staying elsewhere and or not visiting at all.
The proposed TLPI includes additional building height allowances and reduced on-site car parking requirements.
It would apply to less than 1 per cent of the Sunshine Coast region, where hotels can already be built.
Under the TLPI, the additional building height allowance will be consistent with existing buildings heights within the Sunshine Coast.
Only a small number of development applications for upscale hotels are expected to be approved under the TLPI.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli encouraged people to have their say.
“This proposal was prepared in response to the needs of our region,” she said.
“Just one upscale hotel will provide an estimated minimum visitor spend of $29.5 million every year.
“It will also provide approximately 422 jobs during construction and another 165 ongoing.
“There are huge potential flow-on benefits opening the doors to new skills, capital, innovation and a significant opportunity to further accelerate the region’s economic growth.
“That said, our community deserves to be consulted on changes to our planning.
“Likewise, it is vital for us to understand industry and stakeholder sentiment.”
After the consultation period, responses will be assessed and council will decide whether the proposed TLPI progresses.
Should that occur, it will be submitted to the Queensland Government Planning Minister for approval before adoption.
People can visit Have Your Say to find more information and provide feedback until October 4.
