Minister To Decide On Controversial Sunshine Coast Tourist Park

Published on September 15, 2025

Uncertainty now clings to plans for a projected tourer parkland adjacent to Coochin Creek, tricky crushed for those who hoped for a Sunshine Coast success, arsenic Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie weighs nan adjacent move. The 1 100 50 tract park, a forty 3 hectare footprint successful a breathtaking agelong of nan coast, now faces relentless pushback. Local groups, equipped pinch subject and sentiment, awesome siren complete nan biology toll and nan strain a gathering of sites mightiness spot connected delicate, breath-taking ecosystems. The State Assessment and Referral Agency, SARA for those who travel nan dossiers closely, has weighed nan case, advising nan curate that nan plans do not extremity nan scales of overriding nationalist interest. SARA steps back, now urging nan clearest of refusals.

Background of nan Proposal and Planning Process

The Comiskey Group has submitted an exertion for a awesome tourer parkland that includes seventy 5 cabins and seventy 5 campsites, on pinch accommodation specified arsenic a pool, h2o park, tennis court, mini golf, and a jumping pillow. The development, which intends to accommodate up to six 100 guests, was initially reviewed by Sunshine Coast Council. However, nan Planning Minister intervened, initiating a call-in process successful June to guarantee nan determination is made astatine nan authorities level.

The projected parkland is located adjacent Pumicestone Passage, a region renowned for its ecological value. The area is location to protected type and migratory shorebirds, and it forms portion of a Ramsar-listed refuge. Community groups person based on that nan improvement poses a consequence to nan vulnerable marine and terrestrial environments.

Concerns Raised by SARA and Community Groups

In its reappraisal of nan proposal, SARA has stated that location is nary clear nationalist liking to warrant nan improvement and that it does not foresee important economic, social, aliases biology benefits. The agency has recommended that nan exertion beryllium refused, citing nan imaginable adverse effects connected section ecosystems and nan integrity of nan Northern Inter Urban Break.

The Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) has expressed beardown opposition, stating that support of nan tourer parkland would undermine Queensland’s readying laws and harm nan integrity of nan region’s earthy environment. Similarly, different biology advocates person raised concerns astir nan imaginable impacts connected adjacent delicate marine reserves.

Economic Considerations and Development Impact

Despite these concerns, nan Comiskey Group’s economical needs appraisal argues that nan Sunshine Coast region is underrepresented successful position of camping accommodation and accommodation options. The study suggests that nan improvement could meet nan request for tourer accommodation successful nan quickly increasing area and make important economical benefits. The task is expected to create betwixt 15 and seventeen imperishable jobs erstwhile operational, pinch further impermanent employment during nan building phase.

The full superior finance successful nan task is estimated astatine 30 5 cardinal dollars, which is expected to use nan section system done occupation creation and an summation successful tourism-related spending.

Minister’s Decision and Next Steps

The last determination now rests pinch Minister Bleijie, who must measurement nan imaginable benefits of nan improvement against nan biology concerns raised by SARA and section defense groups. The Planning Minister is expected to rumor a petition for much accusation from nan Comiskey Group regarding nan imaginable economic, social, and biology impacts earlier making his last ruling.

SARA’s reappraisal has outlined 2 imaginable outcomes: nan refusal of nan exertion aliases support pinch strict conditions. Among nan suggested conditions are postulation guidance measures, biology protections, and safeguards for adjacent farming activities and delicate uses.

As portion of nan ongoing information process, organization consultation will beryllium carried retired erstwhile nan Comiskey Group submits its consequence to nan state’s accusation request. However, nan community’s overwhelming opposition, led by biology groups, makes nan determination peculiarly contentious.

Tourism vs. Environmental Protection

This projected improvement raises captious questions astir nan equilibrium betwixt fostering tourism and protecting Queensland’s unsocial earthy assets. The Sunshine Coast is known for its scenic beauty, and location are increasing concerns that developments for illustration this whitethorn jeopardise nan region’s semipermanent biology integrity. Local residents and defense groups stay patient successful their request for nan preservation of nan Pumicestone Passage and its ecosystems.

Minister Bleijie’s determination connected this tourer parkland will apt person important implications not only for section tourism but besides for nan early of authorities readying laws and biology protections successful Queensland. As nan authorities grapples pinch accelerated improvement pressures, it remains to beryllium seen really it will negociate nan delicate equilibrium betwixt economical maturation and biology sustainability.

A Critical Decision for Queensland’s Future

The fallout from nan connection will beryllium monitored keenly by conservationists and nan tourism manufacture alike. An affirmative ballot would refine nan region’s tourism model and create scarce, planned lodging to accommodate nan projected surge successful arrivals. A antagonistic vote, connected nan different hand, would present a powerful awesome affirming nan administration’s dedication to safeguarding Queensland’s incomparable ecosystems.