An application to convert a rural block into a transport depot is now open for public notification, with the retrospective plans lodged in response to a council enforcement action.
The initial material change of use and associated operational works application for the six-hectare lot at 252 Yandina Coolum Road, Coolum Beach, was initially made in February.
It seeks permission for Sunshine Coast-based business AMAC Cranes to store of a maximum of six hire cranes and two transport trucks on the site.
That followed a show cause notice being issued by Sunshine Coast Council in July 2024, followed by an enforcement notice in September 2024, for alleged breaches of the Planning Act.
“A person must not carry out assessable development (where not on a heritage place), unless all necessary development permits are in effect,” the notices stated.
A town planning report by Pace Planning on behalf of the applicant provides more information on how the site would be used.
“The proposal includes the servicing and maintenance of vehicles, machinery and equipment stored on the premises,” it said.
“With the nature of the contractor business, the site may be vacant of cranes and associated equipment requiring storage when in commission.”
The site is zoned Rural and is directly west of Yandina Coolum Road and the Sunshine Motorway, with Coolum Eco Industrial Park to the north.
“Part of the development site to the west is being resumed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the proposed new Yandina Coolum Road connection to complete Section 3 – West Coolum Road to Yandina-Coolum Road,” the report said.
“The proposed development layout has taken this into consideration with setbacks the indicated resumption areas.”
The block is currently occupied by a house in the northern part, which would be repurposed as a site office.
The planning report said allowing the transport depot would support construction work around the region.
“The development does not detract from or compromise the strategic goal of fostering a prosperous, high-value economy that is attractive for business, investment and employment for the Sunshine Coast,” it stated.
“Development supports this vision by encouraging business investment on the Sunshine Coast and delivering a high-demand construction service business and associated transport depot.
“The location of the depot does not conflict and is ancillary with the strategic purpose of the nearby Coolum Yandina Industrial Park. Rural properties along Yandina Coolum Road in proximity to the site support, or are approved to support, similar rural industry operations.
“With Shaping SEQ emphasising urban consolidation, combined with the growing demand for high-rise construction and the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games, the need for construction cranes on the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas is steadily increasing.”
The site is included on the Environmental Management Register, which lists contaminated or potentially contaminated land, and is also in a mapped Flooding and Inundation Area.
A report by Prensa stated that potential sources of contamination included landfill activities, and historic use for household waste dumping and agricultural use.
“All samples analysed for contaminants of potential concern returned concentration less than either the laboratory limit of reporting and/or health-based criteria for residential land use indicating the site is suitable for the proposed development,” its report said.
The public notification period runs until October 2.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
