Smart Growth for Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast’s liveability will be maintained in a new draft regional plan which gives greater emphasis to protecting open spaces, easing congestion and halting urban sprawl.

Premier Anna Bligh today released the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 and encouraged people from Tewantin to Caloundra and west to Nambour to have a say.

“This vibrant coastal area is an amazing part of our region and the nearly 300,000 residents who live here want us to keep it the way they love,” Ms Bligh said.

“A key part of safeguarding that great lifestyle is protecting the conservation areas, beaches, wetlands, forests, water resources and agricultural lands that the Sunshine Coast is famous for.

“Despite forecasts of another 200,000 residents by 2031, growing by 8,000 people per year there will be no changes to the current urban development areas on the Sunshine Coast.

“Instead, the SEQ Regional Plan promotes additional growth in the Western Corridor including Ipswich where populations will grow twice as fast as coastal areas on average.

“This plan caters to the Sunshine Coast growing at an average rate of 2.1 per cent per year through until 2031, compared to 4.6 per cent in Ipswich.

“To achieve our preferred settlement pattern for South East Queensland, we require an extra 98,500 dwellings on the Sunshine Coast by 2031.

“Around two thirds will be located through new developments on existing urban zoned land and major long-term broadhectare areas in Caloundra South and Palmview.

“This will protect iconic areas like Noosa and the Blackall ranges from overdevelopment and retain their unique character for future generations.

“The proposed master planned community at Palmview will provide a range of housing choices as well as employment and recreation opportunities.

“Caloundra South will also feature a variety of housing choices and local employment opportunities as well as retail and community facilities and services.

“The proposed broadhectare areas at Palmview and Caloundra South require master planning and infrastructure arrangements that must meet with state government satisfaction prior to the start of any development.

“We’ve already ruled out using Bridges on the Sunshine Coast and that will not come back to the table.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the government was protecting the best parts of the Sunshine Coast while managing growth.

“This is all about planning for new residents and the jobs that support them,” Mr Lucas said.

“It means making sure infrastructure such as roads, public transport and services plus energy, water and sewerage supplies are in place before any new communities can be built.

“We will work with councils to share growth and jobs around the region – the plan details how many extra houses they can expect by 2031 and best locations for their new residents.

“Sunshine Coast Regional Council will now be able to prepare localised planning strategies.”

A South East Queensland climate change management plan will be developed to move the region to a low-carbon future and make it more resilient to the effects of climate change.

“We need to plan for extreme weather events, drought and sea level rises,” said the Deputy Premier.

“This plan will see standards developed for new buildings and infrastructure in locations with increased risk.

“New housing developments will have to consider climate hazards such as rising sea levels in coastal areas.”

The draft regulatory provisions released with the plan feature detailed new maps and their statutory powers take effect immediately.

Public consultation on the draft plan closes on April 3 and a final plan is to be released in mid-2009.

“The plan is so crucial we’ve doubled the minimum consultation period,” Mr Lucas said.

“We’ll be regularly reminding the community about this great opportunity to provide their feedback while the plan is still in draft form.”

To view the draft plan visit the Department of Infrastructure and Planning, 63 George St, Brisbane or most council chambers.

For more information call 1800 070 609 (freecall) or visit www.dip.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868