A developer’s plan to deliver up to 12,000 dwellings as part of a new masterplanned community has opened to public comment.
Stockland has proposed to develop the 1231-hectare Aura South site off Bells Creek Road at Coochin Creek, to the south of its existing Aura community.
The developer’s draft Public Environment Report has been released and is open for public comment until February 11, as required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
The report says the proposed development would include urban living, industry and business, district and neighbourhood centres, schools, sport and recreation parks, waterway and wetland rehabilitation areas, green network, green infrastructure corridors, inter-urban break buffer, lifestyle buffers and transport infrastructure.
Also known as Halls Creek, the site is identified as a Potential Future Growth Area in the South East Queensland Regional Plan (ShapingSEQ).
“Stockland has released the draft Public Environment Report (PER) for our proposed masterplanned community, Aura South, at Coochin Creek on the Sunshine Coast,” a spokesperson for the developer said.
“The PER reflects more than 10 years of rigorous technical investigations and expert analysis assessing Aura South on its environmental merit and suitability for development. It is also informed by community engagement and input, which has helped shape our approach towards protecting and enhancing environmental values.
“The analysis shows that Aura South can be developed in a way that protects the Sunshine Coast’s environmental and lifestyle values.
“As the region continues to face housing supply pressures, it is important that all potential supply options are carefully assessed and considered.
“If Aura South is approved under the PER process, the project will then move through further state and local assessments and approvals before any development can begin.”
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The proposal has met with stiff opposition, with Sunshine Coast Council previously backing Beerwah East, which is mostly owned by the state, as a future growth area, and saying the EPBC referral had “no lawful basis”.
But a council spokesperson said the Aura South proposal might be needed to help it meet population targets set by the state.
“Under ShapingSEQ 2023, council’s planning scheme is required to plan for an additional 84,000 dwellings and 219,100 people between 2021 and 2046,” they said.
“Whilst the Beerwah East SEQ Development Area remains a priority for council in managing medium- to long-term growth, as reflected in the proposed Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, council does acknowledge that the Potential Future Growth Area of Halls Creek (Aura South) may be required to accommodate population growth to meet the SEQ regional plan targets.”
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The draft report says Stockland could begin delivering homes within the proposed development by 2029.
“Over the past 10 years, there has been significant private and public sector investment in roads, public transport, community infrastructure, water and sewer infrastructure that positions the Proposed Action as able to deliver new homes and land for economic development by 2029,” it states.
“Aura South will deliver up to 12,000 new dwellings to support housing supply and affordability. It will also provide new land for schools, community facilities, and employment hubs, creating opportunities for Sunshine Coast businesses, and over 22,000 new jobs.”
The report says the site was cleared more than 50 years ago for a pine plantation and is now used for low-intensity grazing.
“Most of the site is elevated and flood-free, with minimal environmental values,” it says.
The federal government is assessing the proposal under the EPBC Act given potential impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), including the ecological character of a declared Ramsar wetland, which includes the Pumicestone Passage.
Stockland’s report says 517 hectares of land will be dedicated for environmental protection, including a permanent 3km buffer to the Pumicestone Passage and extension of the Northern Inter-Urban Break, which the council wants preserved.
“The Halls Creek Potential Future Growth Area sits within the Regional Inter-Urban Break identified in council’s planning scheme, but outside of the ShapingSEQ 2023 Northern Inter-Urban Break,” the council spokesperson said.
“The Regional Inter-Urban Break is a critical part of the green frame that plays an important role in preserving the Sunshine Coast’s distinct character, identity and lifestyle.”
The report says half of the site would be protected as green spaces, but acknowledges the proposal has the potential to generate a “residual significant impact for the wallum sedge frog” that would be managed through offset areas.
“Ecological assessments by a team of independent experts have confirmed Aura South can be developed to preserve the environmental, cultural and lifestyle values of the Sunshine Coast,” it states.
The report also focuses on the need to accommodate the Coast’s growing population.
“The Sunshine Coast is facing unparalleled housing supply and affordability challenges, and there is now a critical need to consider the suitability of potential development areas,” it says.
“Aura South represents an ideal opportunity to deliver much-needed and affordable homes to one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions in a sustainable way.”
The draft Public Environment Report is available for public viewing online.
