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.