MEDIA RELEASE
State Agency recommends Minister refuse both controversial Coochin Creek developments
A coalition of 10 community organisations is backing the integrity of the State Government’s own technical planning assessment agency’s conclusion that the Comiskey Group’s “Coochin Fields” development application does not comply with the relevant Queensland planning regulations and provisions. This comes after the recommended refusal of the Comiskey Group’s Tourist Park development also proposed on the sensitive Pumicestone Passage and within the Northern Inter Urban Break green belt.
The State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA) assessed the application in line with relevant planning legislation triggered by the Ministerial Call In by the Hon. Jarrod Bleijie MP, Deputy Premier and Plannontroversial ing Minister.
SARA concludes its response by recommending the Minister refuse the “Coochin Fields” application given its non-compliance with several sections of Queensland Planning Regulation 2017 and its conflicts with goals of South-East Queensland’s Regional Plan, ShapingSEQ 2023. We also note with concern that SARA’s report was not published on the Ministerial call-in website until 2 weeks after it had been completed.
State government assessment of the development application for a massive Outdoor Exhibition Coochin Fields finds there’s no overriding need in the public interest, based on economic or social grounds, for the proposed development to occur.
The Community Coalition has stated “SARA’s assessment reinforces our argument that an event and music festival development located in the Northern Inter Urban Break (NIUB) green belt does not, in fact, involve an economic interest of the State and therefore should be refused by the Planning Minister. SARA has determined that there is no reason why such a development cannot be located outside of the NIUB.”
However, Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie can still choose to ignore the advice of his own government’s technical referral agency and decide to approve the application.
SARA’s key findings:
● No overriding need in the public interest merely because the applicant owns the land. ● No unique characteristics, unique features or compelling reasons why this development must be located within the Northern Inter Urban Break (NIUB) green belt. ● Only one road in and out including 10 kms through an identified high bushfire risk zone.
● In event of bushfire, “Shelter in Place” emergency strategy is inadequate. ● Questions the road network being able to safely and efficiently cope with the forecast additional traffic demand. Upgrades potentially required to the Bruce Hwy and Bells Creek Arterial Rd on and off ramps.
● Negative impact on the lifestyle and amenity of residents in nearby existing homes. ● Adverse impacts on the ecological values of the adjacent Pumicestone National Park and Pumicestone Passage, being internationally recognised as RAMSAR unique wetlands.
In addition, SARA states the development is inconsistent with the goals, elements and strategies of ShapingSEQ 2023 as:
● it is not consistent with outcomes for the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area.
● it conflicts with the expressed core values of the NIUB identified in Shaping SEQ 2023.
SARA has concluded that the “Coochin Fields” application warrants refusal by the Minister due to the application’s inability to achieve compliance with a number of provisions of Planning Regulation 2017 through the imposition of conditions.
Sunshine Coast Environment Council - Narelle McCarthy,
SCEC commends SARA for its comprehensive assessment and well-substantiated findings. It is clear that the scale and intensity of the proposed development—and its intended uses—are fundamentally incompatible with the environmental characteristics and values of this ecologically sensitive location within the Pumicestone Passage and Northern Inter-Urban Break. As there is no demonstrated overriding need or compelling public interest to justify the development, SCEC continues to urge the Minister to refuse the application.
Melva Hobson, President, Organisation of Sunshine Coast Association of Residents Inc.
SARA's assessment makes it clear — this proposal, and the Tourist Park 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 these proposals."
Craig Humphrey, President, Caloundra Residents Association
“In light of the state government referral agency assessment that the Coochin Fields event venue is not in the overriding public interest on the grounds of economic impact, and therefore there is no sound basis for it to be approved due to the harm it will do to our precious Northern Inter Urban Break (NIUB) greenbelt and Pumicestone Passage, CRA urges our nearby local member and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie to do the right thing by our local community and reject this and the Tourist Park proposal.”
Renay Wells, President, Take Action for Pumicestone Passage
“TAPP supports SARA’s recommendation to refuse the Coochin Fields and Tourist Park developments, which threaten the ecological health, water quality, and integrity of the Ramsar-listed Pumicestone Passage and the Northern Inter-Urban Break green belt.
The Passage is an irreplaceable ecosystem supporting migratory shorebirds, seagrass meadows, and marine species — its protection is non-negotiable. Large-scale, high-impact developments have no place beside such sensitive waterways.
We urge the Minister to uphold his agency’s findings, respect community expectations, and make decisions in the public — not private — interest.”
Claire Brown, President, Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld (Sunshine Coast & Hinterland Inc.)
We urge the Minister to respect his department’s advice and refuse these developments. They are both inconsistent with ShapingSEQ 2023 goals and the Coochin Fields development has failed against the economic impact guidelines and should never have been called in. Additionally, SARA noted that the developments will have adverse impacts on the ecological values of the Pumicestone National Park and Pumicestone Passage. This area is home to endangered species including migratory shorebirds who have just arrived after flying over 11000 kms from the Arctic to spend the summer here on the RAMSAR listed Passage. We need to ensure that their habitat is protected so they can rest and feed before making their return journey to breed.
Graeme Smith, President, Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body The Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Body supports the independent findings of the State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA), which determined that the Coochin Fields and related developments are non-compliant with essential Queensland planning regulations and inconsistent with the core values of the Northern Inter Urban Break and ecological aims of Shaping SEQ 2023. The coalition of community organisations stands united in urging the Planning Minister to uphold the transparent, evidence-based recommendations of his own agency and protect the sensitive Pumicestone Passage and surrounding greenbelt for future generations. These actions will help ensure public confidence in the planning system and deliver genuine, long-term benefits in ecological sustainability, social amenity, and community wellbeing.
Dylan Daley, President, Northern Inter Urban Break Integrity Association Inc:
“The basis of SARA’s recommendation to the Planning Minister to refuse “Coochin Fields” has reinforced the principle of protecting “in perpetuity” the Northern Inter Urban Break (NIUB), which includes the unique Pumicestone Passage. The State government’s documented values for the NIUB clearly do not endorse the NIUB hosting large, loud and brightly lit events/festivals with up to 35,000 people impacting ecologically sensitive areas. Alarmingly, “Coochin Fields” site is within an area classified as “high potential bushfire intensity” (ref. State Planning Policy IMS) The SARA response also draws attention to inadequate planning to guarantee the safe evacuation of 35,000 people in the event of bushfire. Coochin Creek residents witnessed the ferocious 1994 Beerburrum State Forest bushfires when Roys Road was blocked by fire.
As SARA’s assessment has concluded Coochin Fields is not in the public interest, then the interest being served could only be that of the private developer. We call on the Planning Minister, the Hon Jarrod Bleijie to not override any of the planning laws, demonstrating that equality before the law applies to all applicants. Refusing the “Coochin Fields” application and
preserving the NIUB green belt will maintain the integrity of and public confidence in the Office of the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.”
Call to Action
Residents of the coast and hinterland are encouraged to contact their local MPs and the Minister’s office to demand that “Coochin Fields” development application be refused in accordance with the evidence based recommendation by SARA.
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 Assoc Inc (NIUBIA): 0423 522 521 Renay Wells,Take Action for Pumicestone Passage (TAPP): 0452 117 177