A leading developer and the local council say thousands of homes are still on the way to a town centre, despite revised building height limits and Opposition claims of homes being lost.
Stockland and Sunshine Coast Council stressed that 2600 residences are expected in the Birtinya Town Centre, as initially planned.
The original proposal included building heights increasing from 10 storeys to 15 storeys, with up to three sites allowed to reach 18 storeys.
But this was revised to remove the 18-storey allowance and to include no less than six buildings to be capped at 12 storeys, following community feedback. The state government also weighed in with ministerial conditions, including a map showing areas that should be less than 15 storeys.
Labor claims the changes could lead to fewer residences but the state government, Stockland and the local council state that the overall number of homes in the area would remain the same as expected.
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A Stockland spokesperson said the town centre vision was close to becoming a reality.
“We understand that the Birtinya Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) is very close to taking effect and we look forward to sharing our refreshed vision for the Birtinya Town Centre once it is formally adopted.”
“When it takes effect, the TLPI will increase the residential yield for the Birtinya Town Centre to a maximum of 2600 dwellings, which is consistent with what was initially sought.
“The refreshed master plan reflects a shared vision to deliver a vibrant and well-connected town centre that prioritises liveability and the unique character of the region, while unlocking new homes, boosting local jobs and improving amenity for the community.”
A council spokesperson said the town centre was in a key location and it would provide vital accommodation.
“(The centre) is well located in relation to the future Wave (train and metro vehicle) station and the employment opportunities afforded in the town centre and health precinct.”
“To achieve the increase in additional dwellings in this locality an increase in building height was required from 10 storeys up to 15 storeys on some sites.
“The TLPI, as approved by the state government, will unlock the ability for the maximum number of dwellings in the town centre to increase from 1333, currently, to 2600.
“Council is working closely with Stockland to ensure delivery of a range of multiple dwelling typologies to assist in the delivery of more affordable housing outcomes.”
Labor leader Steven Miles said Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who is the Planning Minister and Member for Kawana, was “blocking homes from being built in his own electorate” by reducing height limits.
Meanwhile, Shadow Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said Mr Bleijie had “axed the delivery of hundreds more homes on the Sunshine Coast”.
But Mr Bleijie countered.
“The number of homes being delivered (to the Birtinya Town Centre) has not changed,” he said.
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.
