A coalition of community groups is urging Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie not to proceed with proposed ministerial call-ins for two development proposals within metres of the Pumicestone Passage and its catchment area.
The proposals – one for a large tourist park and the other for a multi-event site with up to 35,000 people attending an event per day – were under assessment by Sunshine Coast Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency when the minister issued the call-in notices for public comment.
A press release from the combined community groups said the call-in powers were intended for exceptional circumstances, not to override transparent due process.
“These proposed call-ins are a concerning and unprecedented use of powers that undermine the integrity of Queensland’s planning and environmental frameworks,” said Melva Hobson, the chair of OSCAR, which is the peak body representing Sunshine Coast residents’ and other community organisations.
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A spokesperson for Mr Bleijie, who is the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, said there were significant matters related to the proposal that required consideration.
“The proposed call-in notice has been issued to seek further detail on the potential development impacts relating to Queensland Government state interests, notably tourism,” they said.
“Through this process, the Queensland Government will review the additional information provided by the proponent and community stakeholders received from public consultation.”
The community groups have also launched an online petition titled ‘Protect the Pumicestone Passage and the greenbelt between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast’.
“We call on the minister to not proceed with the proposed ministerial call-ins; respect the authority of Sunshine Coast Council and SARA; and protect Pumicestone Passage, its wildlife, and the community’s voice,” it says.
They have also met with Caloundra MP Kendall Morton and are seeking meetings with Mr Bleijie and Andrew Powell, who is the Minister for the Environment and Tourism, with the view to visit the sites to get a better appreciation of the area and its values.
“SARA has already found the festival application non-compliant with state interests, while council identified significant planning conflicts and issues in both proposals,” said Narelle McCarthy from the Sunshine Coast Environment Council.
“These proposed call-in actions unnecessarily escalate the risks to the sensitive environments and ecological values of the Pumicestone Passage and catchment, including the inter-urban break greenbelt.”
Take Action for Pumicestone Passage president Ken Mewburn said: “For the minister to contemplate calling in these inappropriate proposals in such an ecologically sensitive area is highly objectionable and misplaced.
“It is also counter to the government’s current support for the impact of the Bribie breakthrough on the passage.”
The projects have been proposed by the family-owned Comiskey Group, which is known for the Eatons Hill, Sandstone Point and Dakabin hotels, as well as Sunshine Coast venues The Doonan and Imperial Hotel at Eumundi. It is also behind the planned three-level Aura Hotel.
“The scale and intensity of these (Coochin Creek) developments are of serious concern,” Northern Inter Urban Break Integrity Association honorary secretary Sue Diserens said.
A Caloundra Residents Association spokesperson said: “Ministerial call-ins remove the community’s right to be heard and extinguish appeal rights that the public and surrounding land owners would normally have through the Planning and Environment Court.”
