Sunshine Coast Council’s long-awaited updated Planning Scheme is inching closer to adoption, after the state government finished its review of the proposal.
The completion of the mandatory State Interest Review will enable the council to proceed to formal public consultation over the proposed Planning Scheme, subject to complying with conditions imposed by the government that require changes to be made before community feedback.
The proposal was submitted to the state government in December 2023 and followed a period of intensive drafting and deliberation by the council, as well as preliminary community consultation in 2022.
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Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said she was pleased the plan-making process had advanced but warned it would still take time before the Planning Scheme was ready for adoption.
“Council’s next step is to review these conditions and revise the proposed Planning Scheme accordingly,” she said. “Once these changes are made, we look forward to releasing the proposed Planning Scheme for community feedback.
“While we are eager to move forward, and understand our community is also keen to review the document, it is important to note that the council’s review of the conditions and subsequent revisions to the proposed Planning Scheme will take time.
“This process is essential to ensure that all necessary changes are thoroughly addressed before we proceed to community consultation.
“Council is also committed to implementing a consultation program for the proposed Planning Scheme that supports and encourages involvement from all parts of our community.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to finalise the public consultation version of the proposed Planning Scheme and complete planning for the formal consultation period.”
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.
The council website says the new Planning Scheme will set a vision for the Coast in 2046 and guide growth and development.
The scheme will regulate what development should occur where by including each parcel of land in a zone; how development should occur by outlining the rules against which development must be assessed; and what assessment process is required by stating whether a development application is required and, if so, the process to be followed.
“The proposed Planning Scheme may impact anyone living, owning a business, or owning property on the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Natoli said. “Therefore, we encourage everyone to get to know the detail and provide feedback during the community consultation phase.
“Community feedback will be vital. We will undertake extensive community consultation and notify our community as soon as the consultation period begins.
“In the meantime, we encourage anyone with an interest in the proposed Planning Scheme to subscribe for project updates and be notified when consultation is open.”
The Property Council of Australia welcomed the decision to progress the plan towards public consultation, after Cr Natoli revealed the proposal had received the green light at its Sunshine Coast Outlook event last week.
Property Council Queensland executive director Jess Caire said a new Planning Scheme would provide a blueprint for the Sunshine Coast’s future.
“Our members have indicated a strong interest in the progression of a new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme for some time,” she said. “The confirmation that it will soon be available to view and provide feedback on is good news for industry and the Sunshine Coast community.
“While there is often a lot of focus on housing within planning frameworks, they also provide the foundation for other vitally needed buildings and guide the coordination of new infrastructure delivery in the right places.
“For the Sunshine Coast to remain a vibrant, thriving destination, it will be important to have the right combination of assets to secure the places and spaces that makes it a highly sought after location.”
To stay up to date about the proposal visit council’s Have Your Say page and search for “New Planning Scheme”.
