Protect the Regional Inter-Urban Break and Pumicestone Passage

A unique green belt connecting the Glass House Mountains to the internationally protected Pumicestone Passage

The Regional Inter-Urban Break is one of South East Queensland's most important environmental landscapes.

Stretching from the Glass House Mountains to the Pumicestone Passage, it provides wildlife habitat, ecological corridors, productive rural land, open space, cultural heritage values and a natural buffer between the Sunshine Coast and Greater Brisbane. 

It is also under increasing pressure from inappropriate development and changing planning policies.

Right now, action is needed by the Federal Environment Minister to require assessment of two large developments that risk impacting Matters of National Environmental Significance under federal environment laws.

Quick actions

🟢 Sign the Petition: Protect Pumicestone Passage and the Greenbelt – Assessment under environment laws critical 

🟢 Read the  Community Information Summary

🟢 For more information, read the Federal EPBC Submission

🟢 Support Stronger Protection of the Inter-Urban Break - see further information here.


What is the Regional Inter-Urban Break?

The Regional Inter-Urban Break is a 63,000-hectare green belt spanning Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay local government areas. It helps maintain the distinct identity of the Sunshine Coast while protecting important environmental and rural landscapes.

The Inter-Urban Break:

  • connects the Glass House Mountains to the Pumicestone Passage

  • protects wildlife habitat and ecological corridors

  • supports agriculture and forestry

  • provides recreation and open space

  • contains nationally and internationally significant environmental assets

  • supports First Nations cultural values and heritage

  • contributes to the region's liveability and environmental resilience. 

Why protection matters

As South East Queensland continues to grow, large green spaces become increasingly important.

Once fragmented by incompatible development, these landscapes and ecological functions cannot easily be restored. Protecting them now helps ensure they remain available for future generations. 

The Pumicestone Passage 

An internationally recognised environmental asset.

The Pumicestone Passage forms part of the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, recognised internationally for its ecological importance. It supports migratory shorebirds, fish nurseries, seagrass meadows, mangroves and other important ecosystems. 

The Passage is especially sensitive because it depends on the health of the surrounding catchments. This includes the Inter-urban Break that sits beside it.

Activities occurring upstream can directly affect water quality, habitat condition and ecological character downstream.

Learn more:


Current Threat: Coochin Creek Developments

Two major developments approved within the Inter-Urban Break

Following Ministerial call-in decisions by the Queensland Government, two large-scale developments have been approved at Coochin Creek within the Regional Inter-urban Break. Assessment under Federal Environment Law is critical but has not yet happened.

Tourist Park

  • 75 cabins

  • 75 camp/caravan sites

  • pools and water recreation facilities

  • large buildings, food and beverage facilities

  • wastewater treatment infrastructure

  • accommodation originally capped at 600 guests, with that condition subsequently removed by the Minister at the request of the developer. 

Music Festival and Exhibition Centre

  • up to 35,000 attendees

  • up to 20,000 campers

  • six multi day major events each year

  • extensive traffic generation

  • prolonged set-up and pack-down periods

  • operation within a highly sensitive environmental setting

Both developments are located within the Coochin Creek catchment, which flows directly to the Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland. 

Learn more here in the SCEC Submission

Why the community is concerned

The concern is not a single impact.

It is the combination of multiple pressures acting together over time.

Water Quality

Potential increases in nutrients, sediment and contaminants entering waterways may affect water quality, seagrass and broader aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat and Wildlife

The developments may contribute to habitat fragmentation, wildlife disturbance and increased pressure on ecological corridors and threatened species habitat. 

Hydrological Change

Altered drainage patterns, floodplain function and disturbance of acid sulfate soils are recognised pathways to environmental decline in sensitive coastal systems. 

Noise, Lighting and Disturbance

Large events, accommodation activity and increased human presence introduce ongoing disturbance into habitats used by wildlife, including migratory species.  

Cumulative Impacts

The developments sit side-by-side, affect the same catchment and ecological systems, and will operate over overlapping timeframes.

Despite this, no assessment of their cumulative impacts has occurred.

Why federal environmental assessment matters

Although approved by the Queensland Government, neither development has been assessed under Australia's national environmental laws. 

What hasn't happened

  • No referral has been made under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).

  • No Commonwealth assessment has occurred.

  • No assessment of impacts on the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland has occurred.

  • No assessment of cumulative impacts has occurred. 

The Community Coalition's position

The Community Coalition believes the developments meet the legal referral threshold because they may have significant impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance, including:

  • the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland

  • listed migratory species

  • listed threatened species. 

The Coalition has provided a detailed prima facie case to the Federal Environment Minister seeking action under the EPBC Act.

Take action!

Help Protect the Regional Inter-Urban Break and Pumicestone Passage

👉 Sign the Petition

📧 Email the Federal Environment Minister [email protected] (cc [email protected])

Suggested message (please use your own words):

Given the potential risks to Matters of National Environmental Significance, I strongly support referral of the Coochin Creek Tourist Park and Coochin Fields developments under the EPBC Act. Please Minister, take action so that they are independently assessed under Australia's national environment laws.

👉 Share with family, friends and community groups - Share the petition link and community summary

Stay Involved

Follow Sunshine Coast Environment Council and Community Coalition updates.

Read the evidence

Community Summary

An overview explaining:

  • what has been approved

  • why the location matters

  • the key environmental risks

  • why cumulative impacts matter

  • why federal assessment is being sought.

👉 Read the summary here

Federal Submission

The full submission provided to the Federal Environment Minister settting out the case for referral and assessment under the EPBC Act.  If you would like to know more:

👉 Read the Full Submission here:

Strengthening the Inter-Urban Break 

SEQ Regional Plan Review

The current review of the South East Queensland Regional Plan provides an opportunity to secure stronger protection for the Northern Inter-Urban Break and its environmental values. 

The Sunshine Coast Environment Council and the broader Community Coalition supports statutory protection that:

  • safeguards greenbelt values

  • protects wildlife corridors

  • maintains regional separation

  • protects the Pumicestone Passage catchment

  • prevents progressive fragmentation of the Inter-Urban Break. 

Learn more