The public consultation period has opened for a 150-site tourist park development application that was controversially ‘called in’ by the state government.
Prominent hospitality operator the Comiskey Group has proposed to develop the tourist park on 43 hectares at Coochin Creek.
The application was called in by Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie in June, overriding Sunshine Coast Council’s power to assess and decide on the application. He now has sole decision-making authority, which also cannot be appealed.
The proposal – which is for 75 cabins and 75 campsites as well as facilities including a pool, water park, tennis court, mini golf and jumping pillow – has drawn sharp criticism from community groups, who have formed a coalition to oppose the plans.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has also expressed concerns over the proposal, with its response to the application dated August 25 stating it was “of the view there is not an overriding need in the public interest for the proposed development”.
The public notification period opened on October 24 and closes on November 17.
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The coalition of 10 community organisations is urging residents to make submissions during the consultation period, saying it was the only opportunity for the public to speak up before Mr Bleijie makes his decision.
“This is the community’s one and only chance to have a say,” a coalition spokesperson said.
“Every submission counts and helps determine whether planning decisions are made in the public interest or to serve private developers.”
OSCAR (Organisation Sunshine Coast Association of Residents) Inc president Melva Hobson expressed her concerns around safety at the proposed project.
“SARA’s recent assessment and recommended refusal of this application clearly demonstrates this proposed tourist park is not consistent with a number of significant state interests,” she said.
“SARA makes reference to the Roys Road access to and from the site including going through a 10km stretch of pine plantation that is identified as having high bushfire risk … Why would any minister consider putting people’s lives in potential danger for a development where there is no ‘overriding need in the public interest’?”
Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) advocacy and engagement manager Narelle McCarthy said the proposal could have disastrous environmental impacts.
“SCEC reiterates its strong concerns regarding the proposed tourist park following the release of the developer’s information response,” she said.
“SCEC’s concerns have been further reinforced by the deficiencies and lack of documentation provided by the applicant in its response to the information request. It remains evident that this development is incompatible with the environmental values of this sensitive location and contrary to the intent of the Northern Inter-Urban Break.
“The region’s tourism appeal lies in preserving the natural amenity and integrity of our green belt and the Pumicestone Passage. True sustainable tourism celebrates and protects these natural assets through low-impact, nature-based recreation – not large-scale developments that threaten their character and ecological value.”
A spokesperson for Mr Bleijie has previously told Sunshine Coast News that the call-in process ensured all relevant state interests – environmental, economic and community – were thoroughly evaluated before a final decision was made.
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.
It estimated construction of the proposed development would incur total capital costs of $35 million, and could generate between 15 and 17 jobs once established as well as 105 full-time, part-time and temporary jobs during construction.
