The Proposed Planning Scheme threatens to make the Coastal Corridor of the Sunshine Coast into another Gold Coast.
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It is time to stand up and fight, again!
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The Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC) has released a new Proposed Planning Scheme for the region and they are asking for your feedback.
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This new scheme will shape development on the Sunshine Coast for the coming decades. It will determine housing styles, heights, commercial development, greenspaces, industrial zones etc. It will dictate the look and feel of the region for years to come. Once approved, this new scheme will replace the current 2014 Planning Scheme. ​SCRC began preparation of this new draft plan back in 2020.
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MTAG believes there are massive issues with this proposed new planning scheme that will negatively change the liveability and lifestyle of those living along the coastal corridor.
72% of new arrivals or approximately 158,000 more people are being added to the Southern section of the Sunshine Coast. (see chart below)
The Coastal Corridor: Maroochydore to Caloundra is being targeted for extenisive rezoning with an increase of 76,000 more people. The majority of these are being placed in the Northern section of the corridor, Maroochydore to Warana. Currimundi, Battery Hill, Aroona and Dicky Beach.​
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In the northern sector of the corridor, residential streets in Maroochydore (but not the CBD), Buddina, Minyama and Warana are being specifically targeted. They are seeking to significantly densify in Maroochydore in residential streets around the CBD, plus densify in urban villages up to 6 and 8 storeys high along Nicklin Way and take Kawana Shopping World and the surrounding areas to 10 storeys/35m high. The plan is seeking to almost double the number of people living along the Northern section of the Coastal Corridor.
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In the Southern Section of the Coastal Corridor, suburbs along Nicklin Way, including Currimundi, Battery Hill, Aroona and Dicky Beach are also seeing significant densification of residential streets. The Caloundra CBD has proposed increases in heights along Bulcock Street as well as a number of blocks rezoned to "Unspecified Maximum Height".
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The amount of rezoning is significant and will result in high-rise and housing densities similar to the Gold Coast. It will change the look and feel of the Sunshine Coast forever.
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And where are the infrastructure plans to support this? Where are the Schools? Hospitals? Police? Road Upgrades? Sewerage and Water plans? Internet plans? and Traffic Management plans?
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The Proposed Plan continually references a "rapid transit system" along the Coastal Corridor, yet there is no funding, and no definite guarantee that this will be delivered. The plan is based on flawed assumptions.
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The Southern Coastal section of the Sunshine Coast which represents approx 8% of the total land available, is being asked to acommodate 72% of the growth. The balance is wrong!
​The Northern section of the Coastal Corridor from Maroochydore to Warana is being targeted to take 56,000 more people. ​
This is doubling the number of people who live here now!
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The only way they can do this is to go up higher and higher!
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Significant high-rise development is being proposed. Particularly in Maroochydore (beyond the CBD) and Nicklin Way in Buddina, Minyama and Warana.​
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​​​​​​​The Proposed Plan will result in the Northern section (Maroochydore to Warana) of the Coastal Corridor having densities similar to the Gold Coast.
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​New Homes and Dupex Developments in the rezoned Medium Density zones will be "impact assessable".
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A single dwelling is not listed as a consistent use in the proposed code. This means someone buying into the rezoned area cannot build a new house on the block, under the code assessable rules. Instead they will have to go through the lengthy and expensive "Impact Assessable" process. They can however renovate the current house.
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So pretty much, it is only developers of units who will be able to do new builds in the rezoned streets.
This means we have this bizarre situation where a 3, 4, 6, 10 storey building can be built next to someone and that someone has no say or right of appeal, yet a new house, cannot be built under the same ruling.​​
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Click the suburbs below to see more details
The Proposed Planning Scheme is flawed!
The Proposed Planning Scheme assumes the delivery of a rapid transit public transport system (previously light rail) along the Coastal Corridor. Increased heights and densities are being tied to NON-EXISTENT rapid transit stations. The plan also seeks to reduce vehicle access to Nicklin Way and Main Drive to give road priority to this rapid transit system.
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Yet there is NO confirmation that this project is even proceeding. No funding was allocated to it in the June 2025 State Government budget, with the State instead prioritising the delivery of "The Wave". This is heavy rail from Beerwah to Birtinya and then metro bus transit system from Birtinya to the Sunshine Coast Airport via Mountain Creek and Maroochydore along the CAMCOS Corridor.
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The majority of Councillors are sticking by this old plan, based on wrong assumptions. We need to voice our opinions loudly so they know this is NOT what those who will have to live with it, want! We need to get ALL Councillors to vote NO to this plan.
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If this plan is allowed to progress, those living in the Coastal Corridor will see massive population increases. People living in low-rise residential streets will have high-rise buildings around them. The roads will be a nightmare. And all of this will be code assessable, so you will have no say and no right of appeal.
And where does it stop? What happens when the next Planning Scheme gets done? Do they go higher or do they target more residential streets? Even if your street is not included this time, next time it could be you!
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What Can YOU do about it?​
The only way to get this Proposed Planning Scheme changed is to make a submission to the Council letting them know your thoughts. The best way is via their 'Have Your Say Website". If we don't speak up now, it will be too late. If this goes ahead, all this development will be code assessable, meaning you will not get notified, you will get no say, and you will have no right of appeal. We have also started an E-Petition to the Queensland State Government calling on them to step in and direct the SCRC to amend this proposed plan that will destroy the lifestyle for some many people.
Click below to make a submission and sign our E-Petition!
Public Consultation runs until 19 September 2025.
