State Government Agency Recommends Refusal of Coochin Tourist Park Plans
A coalition of Sunshine Coast community groups says Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie MP would have to ignore expert advice from his own specialised planning agency if he decides to approve a contentious application by the Comiskey Group for a large-scale ‘Big4’ style tourist park on the sensitive Pumicestone Passage.
MEDIA RELEASE
State Government Agency Recommends Refusal of Coochin Tourist Park Plans
A coalition of Sunshine Coast community groups says Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie MP would have to ignore expert advice from his own specialised planning agency if he decides to approve a contentious application by the Comiskey Group for a large-scale ‘Big4’ style tourist park on the sensitive Pumicestone Passage.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency’s (SARA) comprehensive assessment undertaken as part of Minister Bleijie’s controversial interventionary call-in process, concludes the development does not meet requirements of key state planning regulations , fails to demonstrate an overriding need in the public interest, and undermines the values of the Northern Inter-Urban Break (NIUB) — a critical greenbelt protected by state and local planning frameworks.
SARA recommends the Minister refuse the application due to non-compliance with relevant planning legislation and the inability to achieve compliance with these provisions through conditions.
Despite this expert advice, the Minister concerningly retains discretionary powers to decide the application. This follows his ‘calling in’ of the application at the request of the developer while the appropriate assessments were underway by both SARA and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
A decision to approve this application would be environmentally reckless, politically questionable and indefensible to the community according to the community coalition.
Key findings from the SARA Report:
● No overriding need in the public interest:
o SARA found no compelling economic, social, or environmental reason why the resort must proceed.
● No justification for location within the NIUB:
o There are no unique site features requiring development within the protected NIUB; similar uses could occur elsewhere.
● Adverse environmental impacts acknowledged:
o The proposal could impact Pumicestone National Park and nearby Ramsar wetlands.
● Access and bushfire concerns:
o Sole access is via a 10km pine plantation identified as a high bushfire risk zone o Emergency response strategies are inadequate.
● Clear planning conflicts:
o The development is inconsistent with the SEQ Regional Plan (Shaping SEQ 2023) and NIUB core values.
Craig Humphrey, President, Caloundra Residents Association (CRA):
“The CRA urges the Minister to accept the findings of his own department, acknowledge the legitimate concerns of the Sunshine Coast Council, the community and community organisations, uphold the integrity of Queensland's planning system, and reject the Comiskey proposal.”
Melva Hobson PSM, President, OSCAR Inc.:
SARA's assessment makes it clear — this proposal fails to meet the requirements of Queensland's Planning Act 2016 and should be refused. The Act is designed to ensure ''planning decisions are efficient, effective, transparent, integrated, coordinated, and an accountable system of land use planning (planning), development assessment and related matters that facilitates the achievement of ecological sustainability'', that is, ‘’a balance that integrates ecological processes and natural systems, economic development and the maintenance of the physical and social wellbeing of people and communities. The Act binds all persons, including the State. We urge the Minister to uphold the integrity of the Planning Act and system, the confidence of the community in that system and the Minister’s own department (SARA) in serving the Act and reject this proposal."
Narelle McCarthy, Advocacy and Engagement Manager, Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC):
“There is clearly no overriding public interest nor need to support approval of this ill-sited and ill-conceived development. Its gross conflicts with state planning instruments and local planning provisions, together with the unacceptable and obvious environmental risks, compels refusal.
The protection of the Pumicestone Passage and its internationally significant ecological and natural values is paramount as is the long-term integrity of the Northern Inter-Urban Break. SCEC calls on the Minister to heed SARA’s well-considered and sound advice to refuse this application and uphold the integrity of the planning system and environmental obligations.
Claire Brown, President, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland - Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Inc.:
“This site adjoins highly sensitive marine and terrestrial reserves placing internationally significant ecosystems at risk. The area supports threatened species and is a Ramsar listed refuge for migratory shorebirds. We must protect this area and the Planning Minister is urged to accept the SARA findings and reject the development proposal.”
Dylan Daley, President, Northern Inter Urban Break Integrity Assoc. Inc:
“This urban style tourist park development is prohibited in the NIUB greenbelt. The Minister has stated he is aware of the seven core values of the NIUB. One specific value is to maintain hydrological functions and water quality as it discharges from land and creeks into the sensitive habitat of Pumicestone Passage. The 2.43ha onsite treatment system to process 64,400 litres of effluent per day, is located near onsite dams and adjacent to mapped wetlands that discharge into Pumicestone Passage which is inside the NIUB.
This is gambling with the water quality of an internationally recognised wetland area and declared fish habitat under State legislation. As recommended by the State Government’s assessment agency, this proposed tourist park for 600 people can effectively be located outside of the NIUB and as such, should not be approved by the Minister.”
Renay Wells, President, Take Action for Pumicestone Passage (TAPP Inc.):
“The Pumicestone Passage is a nationally recognised wetland system protected under the Ramsar Convention — not a site for experimental tourism on flood-prone land. We welcome SARA’s clear recommendation to reject this proposal and urge the Minister to respect the science, uphold our international treaty obligations, and protect one of Queensland’s most vulnerable coastal ecosystems — before it’s too late.”
Graeme Smith, President, Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body (PPCMB Inc.):
SARA together with the Sunshine Coast Council make it supremely clear that developing a large ‘Tourist Park’ in the near catchment of Pumicestone Passage would have deleterious effects on such an important, recognised and ecologically fragile Pumicestone Passage. Our community would applaud a government that determined, via clear evidence, that a negative response be applied to such destruction.
Call to Action
Residents are encouraged to contact their local MPs and the Minister’s office to demand that the proposal be rejected.
Available for comment
Narelle McCarthy, Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC): 0424 465 487
Melva Hobson PSM, Organisation Sunshine Coast Association of Residents (OSCAR): 0433 214 320
Sue Diserens, Northern Inter-Urban Break Integrity Association (NIUBIA): 0423 522 521
Renay Wells, Take Action for Pumicestone Passage (TAPP): 0452 117 177