Hundreds of stakeholders have come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the Sunshine Coast’s new planning scheme, which will set a vision for the region through to 2046.
It comes as the leader of a Sunshine Coast business group stresses the need for balanced community discussion on the draft plan, after it also hosted a discussion on the matter.
The draft scheme, unveiled amid a $10 billion infrastructure pipeline leading up to the 2032 Olympic Games, lays out a vision for managing growth, increasing density and improving liveability in the region. It is open for public consultation until September 19.
Some community groups have already flagged concerns with the draft plan, particularly its increased densities and building heights. Among the biggest changes are around Maroochydore, where new height limits of up to 18 storeys or 60m have been proposed.
The Plan Sunshine Coast business lunch brought leaders from government, development and economics to the Maroochy RSL last week.
Among the key speakers were Ray White Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee, Project Urban director Andrew Stevens and Walker Corporation senior development manager Chris Graham.
Ms Conisbee highlighted the shortage of affordable housing as a critical issue and said infill development was expected to dominate new supply.
“The last time we built enough homes to meet demand was in 2007,” she said.
“Since then, the availability of affordable homes has dropped dramatically, pushing many buyers out of the market entirely.”
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However, speakers at the event – which was hosted by Ray White Maroochydore – warned the draft scheme may fall short of enabling sufficient housing supply unless major planning reforms were introduced.
“It’s encouraging to see strategic thinking but the town plan doubles the assessment criteria for applications and imposes rigid diversity requirements,” Mr Stevens said.
“These add unnecessary cost and complexity for developers, which inevitably flows on to buyers.”
The Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) last week also brought together 25 industry, business and local council representatives to discuss the strategies, assumptions and targets that underpin the draft scheme.
Chair Sandy Zubrinich said the meeting was aimed at putting the region’s future planning needs under the microscope.
“The SCBC represents over 5000 businesses through its network of members and, through its planning experts, has spent over 80 hours analysing the draft planning scheme in the context of the SEQ Regional Plan (SEQRP) – the state’s framework to guide local councils’ plans for population and economic growth targets – and with a view of intergenerational benefits and likely future requirements,” she said.
“The debate was robust and informed by facts and reasoning which often tested council’s direction, strategies and modelling. Land supply, zones, codes, consolidation, expansion areas, quality of life, population and housing targets were all covered.
“In principle, the SCBC supported the direction taken on consolidation, subject to further details regarding associated development and design codes.
“On the other hand, we believe the expansion strategies are too limited and must be expanded in line with the guidance provided in the SEQRP. The consequence of not expanding the growth areas is to place too much weight on consolidation strategies to reach the required SEQRP housing targets.
“Some points made by industry affirmed the need for clarity and vision on what the planning scheme is being designed to achieve.
“Industry further called on the council and its councillors to be united in positioning and explaining to our communities the challenges confronting the local government area – particularly relating to high population growth – and what it means in terms of providing affordability and choice in housing, jobs, social and cultural amenities, and infrastructure, all while maintaining the lifestyle and the uniqueness of the region.”
Ms Zubrinich urged residents to have their say on the draft plan.
“We are fortunate to live in a democracy where our communities have a voice and are able to agree, or disagree, on almost everything – certainly local government planning schemes, a subject on which we all believe we are experts in,” she said.
“We are now well into the council’s 10-week community engagement period on the draft planning scheme. Around 1 per cent of the population of the Sunshine Coast local government area has already spoken through town hall sessions and other community meetings, and some community members have indicated they do not support the council’s density or consolidation strategies, particularly along the Kawana Way corridor, where significant upgrades in public transport availability are yet to be defined, designed and budgeted for.
“Well-organised special interest groups are actively rallying the masses to promote their views on the draft planning scheme through social media platforms. This is not necessarily a bad thing but does run the risk of a loud minority appearing to represent the majority, which we believe is not the case.
“It also runs the risk of anti-development and anti-growth opinions being promoted as expert opinions which may reduce the validity of the community’s participation, which we encourage as a vital part of our democracy.”
Mayor Rosanna Natoli has previously encouraged locals to explore the proposed scheme and share their views.
“Whether you support the plan or have concerns, we want to hear from you,” she said.
“This is about shaping the Sunshine Coast we all want: now and into the future.”
Ray White Maroochydore principal Dan Sowden also called on the community to engage with the consultation process.
“We are at a defining moment for the Sunshine Coast. Our region is growing faster than almost anywhere else in Australia but we face some of the toughest housing and planning challenges,” he said.
“This town plan gives us the framework but it’s up to us to shape it into something that actually delivers for the next generation.”
The SCBC is holding a conference called Retaining the Essence and Vibe of a Fast-Growing Region on September 19. Click here for tickets.
