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MEDIA RELEASE
Community Coalition Urges Refusal of Coochin Creek Mega Music Festival and Exhibition Centre
05 February 2026
For Immediate Release
With a decision due by 12 February on the proposed mega Music Festival and Outdoor Exhibition Centre at Coochin Creek, a coalition of Sunshine Coast community groups continues to urge Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie MP to refuse the development following his concerning use of exceptional Ministerial call-in powers.
The coalition maintains the development is grossly incompatible with the Northern
Inter-Urban Break (NIUB) and the Pumicestone Passage. Minister Bleijie has already
contentiously approved the Comiskey Group's other intensive Big 4+ Tourist Park
development, which he also called-in.
Representing thousands of residents, the coalition highlights a petition nearing 6,500
signatures and hundreds of formal objections submitted, demonstrating widespread
community opposition.
Why the proposal is a threat:
● Scale and intensity: Events proposed host up to 35,000 attendees per
day/night, at least six times per year, on land meant to remain open, rural, and
environmentally sensitive.
● Traffic and safety: Access and egress relies on a single 10 km rural road, with
no public transport, creating major congestion and evacuation risks during fire
or flood.
● Traffic congestion on the Bruce Highway and other access roads from approx.
4400 cars and hundreds of buses ferrying people in and out, and large
volumes of heavy-vehicle traffic moving event infrastructure in and out pre and
post each event will have significant impacts.
● Environmental impacts: The site borders wetlands, Pumicestone Passage,
and wildlife habitat, risking harm from noise, light, crowd movement, rubbish,
runoff, and heavy vehicle traffic.
● Amenity disruption: Nearby residents and wildlife would face noise, light
pollution, and large-scale vehicle movement.
● Precedent: Approval could open the door to further incompatible development,
threatening the long-term protection of the NIUB and the region’s identity and
character.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) also recommended refusal,
noting no significant economic downside if the project does not proceed,
environmental risks, location and planning conflicts. The development has not yet
been referred as required for federal EPBC Act assessment, further highlighting the
risks.
“This decision will have long-lasting implications for the Northern Inter-Urban Break
and the liveability of the Sunshine Coast”, the spokesperson said. Residents have
made it clear this is not the place for a mega-scale event and exhibition complex.The
Pumicestone Passage is a shared legacy for people and wildlife and is too precious
to risk. Protecting it now ensures it endures for generations to come.”