LUCAS BACKS COUNCIL ON SUNSHINE COAST DEVELOPMENT

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas used his call-in powers to refuse a Sunshine Coast development planned outside the urban footprint.

Sunshine Coast Regional Council had previously rejected the proposed independent living and retirement village at 22 Murdering Creek Road, Weyba Downs.

The developer appealed council’s decision to the Planning and Environment Court, further delaying a final decision and prompting Acting Minister John Mickel to call in the development late last year.

“Developers must understand this government will act to protect the lifestyle we all enjoy in South East Queensland by controlling urban sprawl,” said Mr Lucas.

“This decision upholds the urban footprint, which puts more than 84 per cent of South East Queensland off limits to developers.

“When it comes to protecting the Sunshine Coast’s rural lands and open spaces from urban sprawl, the council and I stand shoulder to shoulder.

”Mayor Bob Abbot indicated Council would be supportive of a call-in and that the Council was opposed to this development.

“My decision today confirms the Council’s original decision that this development should not go ahead.

“I want to make it clear this Government welcomes more independent living and retirement villages, but they must be within the urban footprint.”

Mr Lucas took independent advice from town planning experts Humphreys Reynolds Perkins as well as Department of Infrastructure and Planning officers.

“The advice showed the development conflicted with the desired environmental outcomes associated with the Maroochy Plan 2000,” Mr Lucas said.

“It also clashed with the intent of the regional plan to consolidate urban development and protect regional landscapes.

“This is the second development outside the urban footprint at Weyba Downs that has been called-in and subsequently refused in recent months.”

The Integrated Planning Act 1997 allows the Minister for Planning to call-in and decide an application in place of the relevant local government body. The decision cannot be appealed.

Media Contact – Matthew Klar 0437 435 223