The Proposed Planning Scheme threatens to make the Coastal Corridor of the Sunshine Coast into another Gold Coast.
​
It is time to stand up and fight, again!
​
The Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC) has released a new Proposed Planning Scheme for the region and they are asking for your feedback.
​
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.
​
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.
35% of new arrivals or approximately 76,000 more people are being added to the Coastal Corridor: Maroochydore to Caloundra. The majority of these are being placed in the Northern section of the corridor, Maroochydore to Warana.​
​
In this 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.
​
The amount of rezoning is significant and will result in high-rise and housing densities in this northern section, similar to the Gold Coast. It will change the look and feel of the Sunshine Coast forever.
​​
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?
​
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.
​
56,000 more people are being put into the area from Maroochydore to Warana.
​
This is doubling the number of people who live here now!
​
The only way they can do this is to go up higher and higher!
​
Significant high-rise development is being proposed. Particularly in Maroochydore (beyond the CBD) and Nicklin Way in Buddina, Minyama and Warana.
​​
​​
​
​
​
​
​​​
​
​
​​
​
​
The Proposed Plan will result in the Northern section (Maroochydore to Warana) of the Coastal Corridor having densities similar to the Gold Coast.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
The Northern Section of the Coastal Corridor (Maroochydore, to Warana) has 405 changes impacting 143 streets.
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​
​
​​​​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​
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!
​
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.
Go to Council's Have Your Say Website Now!
Public Consultation runs until 19 September 2025.
