Plans for a music festival site that could allow events with up to 35,000 patrons have been recommended for refusal by the state’s planning agency.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has completed its evaluation of the Coochin Fields plans, stating “there is not an overriding need in the public interest for the proposed development”.
The application by the Comiskey Group would allow a maximum of six events per year at the 150-hectare site off Roys Road at Coochin Creek, which is near the Pumicestone Passage and within the Northern Inter-Urban Break (NIUB).
An initial application to develop the site was submitted in October 2023, before the current plans were submitted to Sunshine Coast Council in June 2024.
But in July this year the proposal was “called in” by Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie, meaning he will determine the fate of the project instead of the council, and that his decision cannot be appealed in the Planning and Environment Court.
SARA’s response, dated September 19, raises significant concerns about the planned festival site, saying it does not consider the development necessary for the community.
“SARA does not believe there will be a significant adverse economic, social or environmental impact on the community if the proposed outdoor sport and recreation use is not developed,” says the response, which is signed by executive director of planning services Steve Conner.
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It also states there is “no compelling reasons” for the site to be located within the NIUB, which is identified in the state government’s ShapingSEQ policy as providing a “green break” in perpetuity between the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay urban areas.
“There are no unique features about this proposal that require it to be located inside the NIUB. The site does not have unique characteristics and locational features that are essential for the proposed development to be carried out on the subject site inside the NIUB,” the response says.
Other concerns were raised about potential impacts on the Pumicestone Passage and neighbouring properties, as well as traffic.
“From material submitted in support of the application it is unclear if the affected road network (including Bells Creek Arterial Road and the Bruce Highway on- and off-ramps) can accommodate peak traffic demand for the proposed use without upgrading,” the response states.
SARA also questioned the adequacy of temporary infrastructure for electricity, water and waste, and called for an improved plan to address bushfire risks.
“The only access to and from the site is Roys Road, through a 10km stretch of pine plantation that is identified as having high bushfire risk,” it said.
“While the application proposes a ‘shelter in place’ strategy to respond to emergency bushfire events, SARA recommends that a more comprehensive emergency event management and response plan should be developed.”
The response ultimately advises that the application be refused, but acknowledges that Mr Bleijie need not consider its recommendations as a referral agency. Should the application be approved, SARA recommends that conditions are attached.
The proposed call-in notice issued in May identified that the proposal could become a significant tourism and economic driver for the Sunshine Coast.
“(It) would generate substantial visitation impacts for the Sunshine Coast region, including up to 69,500 visitors per year, 243,100 visitor nights per year, 124,100 bed nights in commercial accommodation and $95.1 million in visitor expenditure,” the notice stated.
“The applicant asserts that the combined impact for the development is anticipated to be a total of $71.3 million in gross regional product terms and a total of 682 jobs, on a full-time equivalent basis for the Sunshine Coast economy.”
Mr Bleijie’s call-in of the Coochin Fields proposal prompted criticism from a coalition of community groups who said the powers were only for exceptional circumstances, not to override transparent due process.
An application by the Comiskey Group to develop a 150-site tourist park across 43 hectares at Coochin Creek was also called in by Mr Bleijie in June, with SARA highlighting concerns regarding the proposal amid more criticism from the community.
