The state government says it is committed to unlocking more than 3200 hectares of Sunshine Coast land for future housing, despite a lack of progress on the plan.
Beerwah East, between Steve Irwin Way, the Bruce Highway and Roys Road, has been earmarked as a future growth area that could eventually have 20,000 homes.
It is identified in the state government’s ShapingSEQ document, which was released in 2023 and is currently undergoing review, as a future development area.
Sunshine Coast Council has also previously backed Beerwah East, which is mostly owned by the state, as a future growth area over nearby Halls Creek, which is on the eastern side of the Bruce Highway south of Aura and owned by Stockland.
But the lack of progress in advancing the plan has raised questions from the state Opposition about the government’s timeline, funding and commitment to Beerwah East.
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In late October Labor Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan put a parliamentary Question on Notice about Beerwah East to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who is also the Member for Kawana and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.
Mr Bleijie’s response, which was tabled late last month, indicates the government is still intent on unlocking the potential development area.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to making the necessary decisions to unlock Beerwah East as part of the South East Queensland Regional Plan review,” it said.
Sunshine Coast News reported earlier this year that council’s move to rezone the area had been stymied by the state government.
The Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning told the council it must remove an Emerging Community zone from the area in its draft planning scheme and replace it with Rural zoning.
In a letter to the council, Director-General John Sosso stipulated the zoning amendment as one of a number of conditions of departmental approval for the council’s draft planning scheme, which is expected to remain in the review process until 2026.
The draft planning scheme currently identifies the Beerwah East SEQ Development Area as an ‘other plan’. The majority of it is zoned Rural, with small areas close to Beerwah marked as Sport and Recreation (correlating to the Beerwah Golf Club), Emerging Community and Community Facilities. Two areas zoned Environmental Management and Conservation are identified closer to the Bruce Highway but are excluded from the development area.
The ShapingSEQ document, also known as the SEQ Regional Plan, provides more detail about the intentions for Beerwah East.
“The Beerwah East SEQ Development Area has been the subject of ongoing collaborative efforts to identify how to secure the medium- to long-term supply of developable greenfield land for the Northern subregion (which covers the Sunshine Coast and Noosa council areas),” it says.
“The Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council are currently expediting investigations to unlock Beerwah East to increase land supply for urban development on the Sunshine Coast. Beerwah East will provide a new residential community with significant employment-generating lands that support a sustainable and efficient growth pattern for the Sunshine Coast and Northern subregion.
“Beerwah East is a logical extension along the (now-underway) passenger transport corridor, the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (Beerwah to Caloundra and Maroochydore), and its proximity to existing arterial networks enables efficient and sustainable connections with other communities on the Sunshine Coast and the broader SEQ region.
“Beerwah East is expected to make a significant contribution to the long-term supply of industrial land in the Northern subregion. Beerwah East provides an opportunity for industrial land to access the Bruce Highway via the existing Roys Road interchange. This facilitates efficient access to a primary freight route with links to economic hubs including the Brisbane Airport and Port of Brisbane.
“Any future development of Beerwah East would also consider the long-term needs and operation of the adjoining Australia Zoo, which is a significant tourist activity and economic driver. The outcome of the investigations will confirm whether alternative areas or greater infill development may be required to support anticipated population growth.”
The state government is currently reviewing ShapingSEQ “to respond to changes in legislation and policy as well as significant population growth and development in the SEQ region”, according to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website.
Mr Ryan’s question also asked for further information about funding and cultural heritage assessments linked to pursuing the Beerwah East plan.
“With reference to the Beerwah East development area on the Sunshine Coast, will the Deputy Premier advise (a) whether the Crisafulli Government remains committed to unlocking this area for future urban development, (b) the total amount allocated in the 2025-26 Queensland Budget for investigations, planning, or other activities to progress the unlocking of this area for urban development (e.g. potential forestry licence/state forest compensation, Indigenous Land Use Agreement to address Native Title rights and interests), (c) if any cultural heritage survey work has commenced for this area and (d) when a Cultural Heritage Assessment and Management Plan is expected to be completed for this area?” it said.
Mr Bleijie’s response said his government was focused on coordinated regional planning.
“The Crisafulli Government has committed to developing new regional plans which cover every corner of the state, in conjunction with infrastructure plans that protect the lifestyle of our communities and appropriately cater for growth,” it said.
“The total funding committed to delivering these new regional plans is $31.3 million. The Crisafulli Government is unlocking residential land right across the state through its landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, which has unlocked over 98,000 new homes to date.
“Additionally, three new PDAs (priority development areas) have been declared (at Southern Thornlands, North Harbour and Mount Peter), unlocking over an additional 30,000 homes.”
The Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Peoples Corporation was granted native title last year for more than 300,000 hectares of land and water on the Sunshine Coast, including the Beerwah East land, which is currently under a 99-year forestry lease.
Mr Ryan also asked a second question of Mr Bleijie in October regarding the forestry licence.
“With reference to approximately 2700 hectares of the total 3200 hectares of land area within Beerwah East being subject to a plantation licence held by Hancock Queensland Plantations (HQPlantations), such that the delivery of the Beerwah East development area will require the surrender of HQPlantations’ interest and the amendment of the boundaries to its plantation licence area through a Deed of Variation, will the Deputy Premier advise (a) the current status of any negotiations or processes relating to the surrender or variation of HQPlantations’ licence within Beerwah East and (b) the total amount of funding allocated in the 2025-26 Queensland Budget for costs associated with the surrender, compensation or variation of HQPlantations’ plantation licence within Beerwah East?” it said.
Mr Bleijie’s answer, which was tabled on December 1, said: “The Minister for Primary Industries carries responsibility for forestry in Queensland.”
