The full details of a major festival site have been revealed after the state government published its decision notice approving the project.
The contentious Coochin Fields project was officially given the green light by the state government earlier this month, paving the way for the 155-hectare site at Coochin Creek to host events for up to 35,000 people.
The decision notice, dated February 12 and signed by Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie, outlines 110 conditions attached to the project at the eastern end of Roys Road.
Among the restrictions is a cap of 15,000 people per night in the north camping zone, with a maximum of a further 5886 people per night in the 2180-site camping-with-vehicle area.
Events will be limited to four days and can only run from 7am to 10pm, with site access only permitted between 7am and midnight.
An operational management plan must also be prepared for each proposed event, covering bushfire and flood evacuation measures as well as traffic, waste, medical, camping, temporary structures and noise management. It must be submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Fire Department, State Emergency Service and Queensland Police.
The application, which was initially submitted in October 2023, was “called in” by Mr Bleijie in July, meaning he assumed responsibility for approving it instead of Sunshine Coast Council. His decision cannot be appealed.
The Coochin Fields decision follows the approval of an equally contentious 150-site tourist park nearby last month.
Both projects have been the subject of strong community opposition, with a coalition of 10 community groups expressing “profound dismay” at the Coochin Fields decision.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
“A development of this scale, intensity and use should never be approved in such a location, and there is no credible justification for allowing it to proceed,” a post on the Sunshine Coast Environment Council’s social media page on behalf of the community coalition said.
The coalition backed the State Assessment and Referral Agency’s recommendation that the development be rejected because it does not comply with planning regulations.
A petition to Murray Watt, the Minister for the Environment and Water, calling for federal environment laws to be applied to the two developments at Coochin Creek has gathered more than 8000 signatures.
The Comiskey Group, which will operate the festival site, heralded the approval on social media.
“This is a massive win for the live music scene and a huge boost for the Sunshine Coast, creating jobs, driving tourism and delivering unforgettable experiences for years to come,” it posted.
Other conditions include bans on pets, except for assistance animals, and on fires and portable generators for campers.
Permanent “fauna-friendly” fencing must be installed around the site, and ‘Do not enter’ signs must be placed along the boundaries with the Pumicestone National Park and Beerwah State Forest.
Temporary infrastructure such as stages, marquees, fencing, lighting rigs, portable toilets, generators and waste facilities can only be placed on site a maximum of 30 days before and after an event.
A total of 4357 car parking spaces plus 108 bus spaces are required, and a parking permit system must be used.
Sealed driveways from Roys Road and all-weather internal access and circulation roads must also be constructed. A helicopter landing area for emergency services must also be provided.
Stages are to face away from the adjoining Beerwah State Forest and Pumicestone Passage, while stormwater must also not affect the ecologically sensitive surrounds.
“Management of the site must achieve no worsening of stormwater runoff impacts (including quantity and quality) into the Pumicestone National Park and Beerwah State Forest,” the decision notice states.
Potable water for all festivalgoers must be brought onto the site for use at drinking stations, toilets and showers. On-site water sources, including dam water, cannot be used.
“Insecticidal sprays must be applied in such a manner that avoids, as far as practicable, any adverse impacts,” the notice says.
Nearby landowners will be required to have at least 20 days’ notice before an event that is “likely to affect their amenity”.
The notice says a complaints management procedure for each music festival or event must also be established.
