A coalition of Sunshine Coast community and environment groups has expressed serious concern following the approval of a 150-site tourist park on the edge of the Pumicestone Passage.
Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie announced last week the Comiskey Group’s development application for the Coochin Creek Tourist Park had been approved, after the proposal was controversially ‘called in’.
The 10 community groups have been vocal in their opposition to the development, particularly after the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) found there was no “overriding need in the public interest” for it.
“This decision ignores expert advice and significant community concern, undermines the integrity of Queensland’s planning system, and places an internationally significant wetland at risk,” a media statement from the coalition said.
“The Pumicestone Passage is not an experimental tourism site and is already under pressure. This is not low-impact, nature-based eco-tourism, and conditions that are difficult to monitor or enforce cannot guarantee protection of these fragile ecosystems.”
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The application was called in by Mr Bleijie in June, meaning he assumed sole responsibility for deciding whether to approve the project, overriding Sunshine Coast Council. His decision also cannot be appealed in the Planning and Environment Court.
“SARA had found the proposal failed to comply with relevant planning legislation and policies, demonstrated no overriding public need, conflicted with the Northern Inter-Urban Break, and posed unacceptable risks to the Ramsar-listed Pumicestone Passage and surrounding protected areas,” the coalition statement said.
“These findings reinforce strongly held concerns of the community coalition and the broader community, reflected in hundreds of submissions and thousands of petition signatures.
“SARA’s well-founded recommendation to refuse the proposal, together with the significant weight of community objection, has been disregarded. This has been compounded by concerning and questionably timed planning regulation amendments that came into effect on November 28 last year, during the minister’s decision-making period, which weakened important protections for the Northern Inter-Urban Break greenbelt, rural landscapes and the overriding need in the public interest.
“These changes risk diminishing SARA’s capacity to undertake robust, independent planning assessments into the future and deliver sustainable development outcomes for the region.”
Last week Mr Bleijie said project was approved after a “rigorous process” that considered expert advice and community input.
“Queensland’s tourism future depended on projects like this and Coochin Creek will proceed with strong safeguards in place to protect the environment and ensure visitor safety, while supporting jobs and tourism growth,” he said.
“Unlocking ecotourism across Queensland will create future jobs, support local communities, and unlock new opportunities for operators.”
Comiskey Group director David Comiskey said the project would create local jobs and attract new visitors to the Sunshine Coast.
“We’d like to thank the Queensland Government for their support of this project. We purchased the land back in 2021 so it’s incredibly rewarding to reach this point after a five-year planning and approvals process – and we can’t wait to get started,” he said.
The coalition is calling for the project to be referred under federal environmental law for assessment of impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance.
The community coalition is comprised of members of Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Organisation of Sunshine Coast Association of Residents Inc, Caloundra Residents Association, Take Action for Pumicestone Passage, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc, Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body, Northern Inter Urban Break Integrity Association Inc, Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association Inc, Bribie Island Turtle Trackers and Koala Action Inc.
