The developer behind a controversial 150-site tourist park that was given the green light earlier this year has applied to alter the conditions of its approval.
Coochin Creek Property Pty Ltd, which is linked to the Comiskey Group, has submitted a ‘minor change’ application over the Coochin Creek Tourist Park at 1807 Roys Road.
The project was approved in January after being ‘called in’ by Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie, despite strong opposition from community groups and concerns from the state government’s own assessment and referral agency.
A letter addressed to Mr Bleijie by Murray and Associates on behalf of the Comiskey Group asks to remove or alter a number of conditions of the approval.
Among them is removing a requirement that the tourist park host no more than 600 overnight guests and that the operator keep a daily register of guests available for council inspection on request.
The letter, which is dated February 26, argues the condition is not necessary because numbers are already restricted by the limit of 150 sites, which comprises 75 cabins and 75 campsites.
“Condition 2 already imposes a restriction on the number of sites permitted within the tourist park, which provides an appropriate and effective mechanism to regulate overall occupancy,” it says.
“Limiting the number of approved sites offers a clear, measurable and enforceable control, whereas attempting to estimate or monitor the number of persons occupying the site introduces unnecessary complexity and uncertainty. The existing site cap is therefore sufficient to manage intensity of use without the need for an additional population limit.”
The minor change application also seeks the removal of Condition 12, which requires all buildings or structures to be set back at least 50 metres from areas of native vegetation.
“We request that this condition be deleted,” it says.
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The letter also asks that, in addition to emergency situations, the property owners be allowed to operate helicopters from the site.
“We request that helicopter landing be permitted for the owners, who may utilise this mode of transport when required,” it says.
“This amendment would provide operational flexibility while ensuring the intent of the condition is otherwise maintained.”
The letter also asks that a condition banning the use of treated dam water be changed because no reticulated supply is available in the area. Instead, it proposes that potable water storage tanks with a minimum capacity of 250kL be provided.
Other proposed alterations include conditions about heavy vehicle movements, amplified music and testing of bushfire evacuation procedures.
The letter argues the proposals constitute a ‘minor change’ and do not require a separate development application.
“The proposed change does not change the built form in terms of scale, bulk and appearance … and will not introduce new impacts or increase the severity of known impacts,” it states.
Mr Bleijie’s call-in powers overrode Sunshine Coast Council’s power to decide on the application, and provided him with decision-making authority that cannot be appealed.
A separate application from the Comiskey Group for a multi-event site at Coochin Creek was approved last month after also being called in.
