A “community coalition” is calling on residents to demand that plans to develop an events site that could host up to 35,000 people a day are refused.
The 10 community groups say they are backing the State Assessment and Referral Agency’s recommendation that the proposed Coochin Fields development be rejected because it does not comply with planning regulations.
The proposal by the Comiskey Group was “called in” by Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie in July, meaning he will determine the fate of the project instead of Sunshine Coast Council. His decision cannot be appealed in the Planning and Environment Court.
The application would allow a maximum of six events per year at the 150-hectare site off Roys Road at Coochin Creek.
SARA’s advice follows the recommended refusal of a tourist park that has been proposed for a nearby site and is also close to the Pumicestone Passage and within the Northern Inter-Urban Break (NIUB).
A media statement by the community coalition emphasised that SARA had determined there was no reason the proposal could not be located outside the NIUB.
“SARA’s assessment reinforces our argument that an event and music festival development located in the NIUB green belt does not, in fact, involve an economic interest of the state and therefore should be refused by the Planning Minister,” it said.
In response, Mr Bleijie said the merits of a refusal or an approval with conditions would be considered in his decision-making of the application.
“The call-in process ensures all relevant state interests are considered and reflect government priorities,” he said.
“To ensure the local community can have their say, public consultation will occur following the applicant’s response to the information request.”
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The community coalition is comprised of members of Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Organisation of Sunshine Coast Association of Residents Inc, Caloundra Residents Association, Take Action for Pumicestone Passage, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc, Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body, Northern Inter Urban Break Integrity Association Inc, Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association Inc, Bribie Island Turtle Trackers and Koala Action Inc. They are urging residents to contact their local MPs and the Planning Minister’s office to urge the application be rejected.
Narelle McCarthy from the Sunshine Coast Environment Council said the minister should uphold his agency’s findings.
“SCEC commends SARA for its comprehensive assessment and well-substantiated findings,” she said.
“It is clear that the scale and intensity of the proposed development – and its intended uses – are fundamentally incompatible with the environmental characteristics and internationally recognised values of this ecologically sensitive location within the Pumicestone Passage and Northern Inter-Urban Break.
“As there is no demonstrated overriding need or compelling public interest to justify the development, SCEC continues to urge the minister to refuse the application.”
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc president Claire Brown also called for the development to be stopped.
“We urge the minister to respect his department’s advice and refuse these developments,” she said.
“They are both inconsistent with ShapingSEQ 2023 goals and the Coochin Fields development has failed against the economic impact guidelines and should never have been called in.”
Organisation of Sunshine Coast Association of Residents Inc president Melva Hobson said the legislation outlined the expectations regarding development assessments.
“SARA’s assessment makes it clear: this proposal, and the tourist park proposal, fails to meet the requirements of Queensland’s Planning Act 2016 and should be refused,” she said.
“The Act is designed to ensure ‘planning decisions are efficient, effective, transparent, integrated, coordinated and an accountable system of land use planning, development assessment and related matters that facilitates the achievement of ecological sustainability’.
“That is, ‘a balance that integrates ecological processes and natural systems, economic development and the maintenance of the physical and social wellbeing of people and communities’.
“The Act binds all persons, including the state. We urge the minister to uphold the integrity of the Planning Act and system, the confidence of the community in that system and the minister’s own department (SARA) in serving the Act and reject these proposals.”
