The development of a controversial outdoor music festival and exhibition site on the Sunshine Coast has been approved.
The state government announced that the Coochin Fields project at Coochin Creek can go ahead, stating that it could help revive Queensland tourism. It follows the approval of an equally contentious 150-site tourist park nearby.
The development proposal had received support and opposition from locals.
A ‘Community Coalition’ of 10 groups recently sent a public letter to Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie, expressing environmental, traffic, bushfire and other concerns.
The site is set to host events catering for up to 35,000 festivalgoers. The project is expected to support more than 680 jobs and generate more than $70 million in annual economic activity for the Sunshine Coast.
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Mr Bleijie said the festival site would unlock economic opportunities across the region.
“Coochin Fields is exactly the type of opportunity the Crisafulli Government is determined to support as we rebuild and grow the state’s tourism industry,” he said via a press release.
“The conditions we’ve imposed will ensure the project respects the unique environmental values of the area while delivering huge economic benefits for the Sunshine Coast region.
“This decision aligns with Queensland’s Destination 2045 tourism strategy, which aims to diversify the state’s tourism offering and position Queensland as a leading destination for world-class events.
“We are backing projects like Coochin Fields because they help reposition Queensland as a destination where the tourism industry has confidence to grow.”
But the Community Coalition, which includes the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, outlined its “deep concern” in a letter to Mr Bleijie.
The group said the site could have “significant long-term implications” for the Pumicestone Passage and the Northern Inter‑Urban Break (NIUB).
“The NIUB is a regionally significant green belt recognised for its critical role in protecting the Pumicestone Passage, surrounding wetlands, wildlife and shorebird habitat, and the rural character of the southern Sunshine Coast.”
“The current proposal would introduce events of up to 35,000 attendees per day, over multiple days, into this highly sensitive landscape. This scale and intensity are fundamentally incompatible with the planning intent and environmental values of the NIUB.”
The group said the site posed: incompatibility with NIUB planning intent; traffic and safety risks; serious bushfire risk, with only one entry and exit route; and community and local business impacts arising from noise, lighting, waste, runoff and heavy‑vehicle movements adjacent to wetlands and wildlife corridors.
They said there would be cumulative impacts, after the approval of the adjacent tourist park. The group also stated that more than 6700 people had signed a change.org petition to protect the area.
“The Pumicestone Passage and the NIUB are irreplaceable. Decisions made now will shape their future for generations.”
The Community Coalition had backed the State Assessment and Referral Agency’s recommendation that the development be rejected because it does not comply with planning regulations.
But the proposal by the Comiskey Group was “called in” by Mr Bleijie in July, meaning he was able to determine the fate of the project instead of Sunshine Coast Council, and his decision cannot be appealed in the Planning and Environment Court.
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the approval of Coochin Fields marked a turning point for tourism on the Sunshine Coast.
“This project will breathe new life into the region, attracting visitors, supporting small businesses and delivering the vibrant tourism hub our community deserves,” she said.
QMusic chief executive officer Kris Stewart welcomed the announcement.
“We have been calling for more large-scale dedicated music venues for a long time and Coochin Fields will be a tremendous new asset to the music industry.”
“Having this kind of investment in a festival and music venue will be a boon both for Queensland audiences and artists.”
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce CEO Brady Sullivan previously said the Coast would benefit.
“We owe it to our community now and into the future to help turbocharge our community’s tourism offering and support the creative industries in our region,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Airport general manager Kylie Ezzy had also thrown her support behind it.
“Coochin Fields has the potential to attract high-value domestic and international tourism into the Sunshine Coast, providing positive economic benefits across the wider region, which is also a key driver for our business.”
The state government stated that the development includes extensive environmental safeguards, such as wildlife-friendly fencing, stormwater management measures, and operational plans to prevent impacts on the adjoining national park and state forest areas.
For more information on ministerial call-ins, visit Ministerial Call-Ins.
