Bli Bli rezoning recommended to be scrapped for further investigation

Changes to develop former caneland at Bli Bli may not progress after the council made a surprising discovery about the area.

Changes to fast-track residential development at Bli Bli could be scrapped to allow for further investigations on flooding and cultural heritage risks.

Sunshine Coast Council is proposing to not proceed with rezoning 80ha of former caneland at Bli Bli for the time being after it received almost 270 submissions against it.

Most of the land at Lefoes Rd, Yandina-Bli Bli Rd and Thomas Rd was owned by Peter Shadforth, Sam Williams and Robert Flipp who developed Parklakes and Parklakes II at Bli Bli.

The council proposed to change it from rural to emerging communities zone to allow for residential development as well as a neighbourhood shopping centre, a park, lake and green spaces.

But councillors have been urged to not amend the planning scheme and instead investigate flooding and cultural heritage concerns.

A council report said part of the land was registered as a cultural heritage site on the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

Kevin Covey, Mayor Jamieson, Peter Shadforth, Robert Flipp and former councillor Steve Robinson at the handover of Parklakes 2 central park to Sunshine Coast Council.

It said further consultation was needed with representatives of the Kabi Kabi First Nations people.

“Following the consideration of submissions received in relation to the proposed Bli Bli amendment and in response to new or changed circumstances or information, it is considered that further investigations are required in relation to cultural heritage and flooding,” it said.

“These investigations are unlikely to be able to be completed in the short term … (and) have the potential to materially impact the nature of the proposed amendment.”

The council meeting agenda said of the 678 submissions received during community consultation on the planning scheme amendments, 581 were in relation to Bli Bli.

While some were in support of the changes because of the need for housing, others raised concern about flooding, traffic and local amenity.

In November 2020 resident of four years Cass Harper said the Bli Bli bridge on David Low Way needed to be upgraded before further residential development.

A 20-tonne load limit has been in place for the bridge since July 2019.

“There are traffic lights at Bli Bli village now so it‘s a nightmare at school runs … if you’re stopped at that bridge at peak hour you say your prayers.”

Covey Associates director Kevin Covey, the project manager and consultant on Parklakes, said in December that developing the land could help give first and second homeowners the opportunity to “build their dream home”.

“The current lack of housing options on the Coast is evident and any development at the site would help alleviate this stress,” he said.

The council report said there was still potential to develop the land in the future, but changes should not be made until more investigations were done.

The Bli Bli rezoning was one of several locations included in the council’s proposed rezonings.

It was in response to the areas being included in the South East Queensland Regional Plan urban footprint.

The council recommended moving ahead with planning scheme amendments at Landsborough, Yandina, Chevallum and Forest Glen.

If approved, it would allow for residential development at Brandons Road, Yandina and White Gums Street and surrounds at Landsborough.

The changes at Forest Glen and Chevallum involve four properties near Sunridge Farm Rd, aimed to better reflect business activity in the area.