A hinterland mental health retreat has been given the green light to continue operating under a series of conditions controlling its scale and use.
Sunshine Coast Council approved the Hinterland Health Retreat at 13-15 Negus Road, Montville, on June 25, granting a development permit to establish the facility as an undefined use.
The decision follows an application in September 2025 by Laurelen Estate Pty Ltd to formalise the retreat after council issued a compliance investigation advisory letter in April 2025 which stated the site did not have the required development approvals for the existing operation.
Under the approval, no more than six clients can be present or accommodated at the retreat at any time, with treatment, activities and facilities restricted to people staying there.
Individual stays are limited to 28 consecutive nights and the accommodation cannot be used for permanent or holiday accommodation.
The approved client accommodation comprises the existing four-bedroom main facility and two one-bedroom cabins.
Office and wellness activities and a gym can operate from other existing buildings identified in the approved plans, while a caretaker must live in designated accommodation on the property whenever the retreat is operating.
The caretaker must have responsibility for the security, maintenance or management of the retreat and their accommodation must cease being used for that purpose if the retreat closes.
The approval also requires at least 11 car parking spaces, including 10 for guests and staff and one covered space for the caretaker, as well as a service-vehicle van space.
Works are required to the Negus Road access, including a driveway crossover and safety measures such as warning signs to improve driver awareness of approaching vehicles.
Other conditions are aimed at managing the retreat’s potential impact on its rural surroundings.
Mechanical plant and equipment must comply with noise limits, while service vehicle deliveries and movements are restricted to 7am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday and are not permitted on Sundays or public holidays.
An agricultural and landscape buffer must also be established and maintained.
The two one-bedroom cabins must be air-conditioned so their windows and doors can be closed to mitigate amenity impacts from neighbouring rural activities.
The retreat must have sufficient on-site wastewater treatment and effluent disposal, with wastewater treated to at least an advanced secondary standard. A safe and adequate potable water supply is also required.
The application’s public notification period, which took place in February, attracted eight submissions, including seven considered properly made. Of those, six opposed the application and one neighbour supported it.
The objections raised concerns about the retreat having operated before obtaining the required development approval, the number of clients, potential conflict with an adjoining working farm, noise, lighting, dust, traffic and road safety, the Lake Baroon water-supply catchment and the nature of the use.
Council’s assessment found the proposal was low intensity and could operate without significant impacts, subject to conditions. It also noted some concerns raised by submitters were addressed through conditions including the six-client limit, agricultural buffering, noise and lighting controls and restrictions on the caretaker accommodation.
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The development approval does not clear all of the work needed at the property. It identifies further permits for operational works covering engineering and earthworks, as well as building work through private certification.
Laurelen Estate lodged an operational works application last month, but council subsequently issued an action notice stating it was not properly made.
The applicant has until October 20 to satisfy the action notice and notify council.
