A developer has been given a list of issues that need addressing in order to progress its application for about 450 low-density lots on 104 hectares at Twin Waters West.
Sunshine Coast Council on September 28 provided developer Stockland with the ‘further advice’ list for the proposed housing development between the Maroochy River and Sunshine Motorway.
It comes after the 30-day public consultation stage of the assessment process closed on September 29.
Among the nine points on the list are concerns regarding groundwater, sewer pump stations, visual amenity and the preservation of mango trees in the existing Settlers Park.
The council advice outlines concerns about the source of water required to recharge the aquifer that would form a protective freshwater ‘curtain’ to the central wetland and conservation park.
“It is unclear whether there are sufficient volumes of freshwater to be harvested from the site (particularly during a drought) to supply the infiltration basins to recharge the groundwater. Intuitively, such a system would need a supplementary water source,” it says.
“The inherent problem is that the volumes of stormwater will be generated rapidly (from rainfall) and require holding/regimenting facilities to regulate their acceptance for infiltration, which is a much slower process.”
Twin Waters West and Surrounds Inc president Kathryn Hyman said last month group said it was still analysing applications documents and was “not in a position to have a ‘position’”, but said it was paramount any development was done within the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.
It has since identified issues it said conflicted with the planning scheme, one of which was the groundwater.
“The groundwater curtain proposed for the site is complicated and requires high maintenance,” she said.
“Their modelling shows this system does not achieve protection of the wetland within 10 years with continuing salt leakage to the wetland after this time at most locations modelled.
“We are continuing to review this proposed system especially with respect for its need to divert water from surface flows to the groundwater.”
Two proposals to develop the site have previously been lodged, in 2008 and 2018, but were rejected by council, in 2009 and 2020 respectively. Stockland appealed the decisions through the courts but these were ultimately rejected in 2013 and 2022.
A Stockland spokesperson said its latest application met all the requirements of the planning scheme and court decisions.
“The new development application encompasses the court’s outcomes, including enhanced sustainability measures and improvement to residential character requirements,” they said.
“The new masterplan incorporates the input of many stakeholders and aligns with the Sunshine Coast Council Planning Scheme.
“Twin Waters West is designed to achieve flood resilience, including under climate change scenarios and not to increase flood levels in areas external to the site, including Twin Waters.”
Ms Hyman also raised concerns about Settlers Park, which is on the corner of David Low Way and Ocean Drive.
“Land gifted to the community has again been carved up for development purposes in this application,” she said.
“We hold concerns that philanthropy will end as these agreements are not honoured. The planning scheme specifically states Settlers Park is to be ‘protected and enhanced’.”
But the Stockland spokesperson said the park would in fact be extended.
“Stockland’s proposal increases the size of Settlers Park to 5700sqm (more than half a soccer field) and adds protections to the mango trees and historical artifacts for community benefit,” they said.
The ‘further advice’ list from council says the application “does not adequately demonstrate how the proposal protects the four mango trees”, with a proposed road realignment resulting in the drip line of one tree extending over the kerb.
Concerns over the local kangaroo population have also been raised regarding the proposed development.
Sunshine Coast Environment Council advocacy and engagement manager Narelle McCarthy said that while it was an improvement on previous applications, she still did not support it.
“Regardless of the provision of an updated kangaroo management plan and development application taking consideration of the councils’ information request and addressing several concerns and compliance issues, SCEC maintains the proposed TWW development continues to represent undesirable, unpredictable and unacceptable outcomes and impacts on the environment and existing areas,” she said.
Among her concerns were threats to local eastern grey kangaroos, risks to the vulnerable water mouse, flood mitigation issues, decreased climate resilience and the potential of the proposed lake to run into the central wetland in floods.
“Due to these factors and concerns mentioned above, SCEC is still not supportive of the TWW development nor the contentious and unwarranted rezoning of the flood-prone land for any urban development and use,” she said.
“This flood-prone low-lying land associated with the Maroochy River floodplain currently provides critical flood storage and carbon sequestration opportunities.
“SCEC would still like to see the land rezoned for conservation and as an environmental space into the future, providing opportunities for passive recreation and community well-being.”
Council’s assessment of the application is continuing.
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