A state planning agency has raised significant concerns about a proposed tourist park near the Pumicestone Passage, sparking an outcry from a coalition of Sunshine Coast community groups.
But Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie, who has sole responsibility to decide whether to approve the project, says the proposal is being assessed in the context of broader strategic planning objectives and that careful consideration is being given to the balance between fostering economic development and protecting Queensland’s unique environmental assets.
The application by the Comiskey Group to develop the 150-site tourist park across 43 hectares at Coochin Creek was ‘called-in’ by Mr Bleijie in June, meaning he will assess and decide on the application instead of Sunshine Coast Council. His decision also cannot be appealed in the Planning and Environment Court.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has now scrutinised the proposal as part of the call-in process, with its response dated August 25 stating it was “of the view there is not an overriding need in the public interest for the proposed development”.
“There will not be a significant adverse economic, social or environmental impact on the community if the development is not carried out,” it stated.
A government spokesperson said the call-in process ensured all relevant state interests – environmental, economic and community – were thoroughly evaluated by Mr Bleijie, who is also the Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana, before a final decision was made.
“The Deputy Premier recently issued an information request to the applicant (the Comiskey Group) outlining a number of state interests that need to be addressed,” they said.
“The information request seeks more details from the applicant regarding the proposed uses and the potential economic, tourism, social and environmental impacts.
“Community consultation will occur following the applicant’s response to the information request.
“SARA’s assessment of the application foresees two possible outcomes, both a refusal or an approval with conditions. The Deputy Premier will consider the merits of both options in his decision-making.”
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Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) advocacy and engagement manager Narelle McCarthy said Mr Bleijie would have to ignore the advice of his own planning agency if he decided to approve the project.
“There is clearly no overriding public interest nor need to support approval of this ill-sited and ill-conceived development,” she said.
“Its gross conflicts with state planning instruments and local planning provisions, together with the unacceptable and obvious environmental risks, compels refusal.
“The protection of the Pumicestone Passage and its internationally significant ecological and natural values is paramount, as is the long-term integrity of the Northern Inter Urban Break.
“SCEC calls on the minister to heed SARA’s well-considered and sound advice to refuse this application and uphold the integrity of the planning system and environmental obligations.”
OSCAR (Organisation Sunshine Coast Association of Residents) Inc president Melva Hobson said the integrity of planning laws needed to be upheld.
“SARA’s assessment makes it clear – this proposal fails to meet the requirements of Queensland’s Planning Act 2016 and should be refused,” she said.
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland – Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc president Claire Brown expressed her concerns around potential environmental impacts.
“This site adjoins highly sensitive marine and terrestrial reserves, placing internationally significant ecosystems at risk,” she said.
“The area supports threatened species and is a Ramsar-listed refuge for migratory shorebirds. We must protect this area.”
Caloundra Residents Association president Craig Humphrey, Northern Inter Urban Break Integrity Association Inc president Dylan Daley, Take Action for Pumicestone Passage president Renay Wells and Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body Inc president Graeme Smith were also part of the coalition of community groups expressing their concerns.
“As recommended by the state government’s assessment agency, this proposed tourist park for 600 people can effectively be located outside of the Northern Inter Urban Break and, as such, should not be approved by the minister,” Mr Daley said.
SARA’s response urges Mr Bleijie to “consider refusing the application” over non-compliance with planning regulations but acknowledges “the Planning Minister need not consider SARA’s recommendations as a referral agency”.
It recommends conditions be attached to any potential approval to address traffic impacts at the intersection of Roys Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road, protect nearby sensitive uses and farming activities, ensure bushfire safety, and safeguard the surrounding environment and waterways.
The application – which is for 75 cabins and 75 campsites as well as facilities including a pool, water park, tennis court, mini golf and jumping pillow – was submitted in June 2024.
An economic needs assessment prepared by Location IQ for the Comiskey Group in September last year said there was community and economic need for the proposed tourist park.
“The provision of camping facilities in Sunshine Coast LGA is well below comparable Australian averages,” it said.
“In a rapidly growing area, there is need for a range of accommodation facilities including caravan parks/campgrounds.”
The report estimated the proposed development could generate between 15 and 17 jobs once established, as well as 105 full-time, part-time and temporary jobs during construction.
“Construction at Coochin Creek is indicated to incur total capital costs of $35 million, generating significant employment within the construction and associated industries during the development of the project,” it stated.
The Comiskey Group already has approval to build an eco-park of 100 campsites and ancillary facilities on the site, after an application was approved by the Planning and Environment Court in late 2023 following council’s refusal of it in 2022.
Community groups had urged Mr Bleijie not to proceed with the call-in for the tourist park, as well as a second application from the Comiskey Group for a multi-event site at Coochin Creek that could host up to 35,000 people during event days that has also been called in.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
