Bli Bli’s controversial Parklakes 3 development proposal slammed by council planning officers

A controversial housing development planned for a coastal flood plain has been slammed by planning officers, as the Sunshine Coast Council is set to deliver their decision on the project’s future.

Parklakes Central development site, Bli Bli. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A controversial housing development planned for a Bli Bli flood plain has been slammed by planning officers as the Sunshine Coast Council is set to deliver their decision on the project’s future.

The development proposal, Parklakes 3, also referred to as the Bli Bli Northern Village, was first submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council by the developers, Focus Estates Pty Ltd and One Man Bli Bli Pty Ltd, in February 2022.

The application for preliminary approval, seeking to vary the effect of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, is expected to go before the Sunshine Coast Council at the ordinary meeting later this week.

If given the green light the site at Lefoes Rd and Thomas Rd in Bli Bli would feature a local centre, childcare and an unknown number of low and medium density homes.

Parklakes Central development site, Bli Bli. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The planning officer’s report stated there had been a total of 314 public submissions made in response to the proposal, with 151 in support of the housing development and 156 against.

The officer ultimately recommended the council refuse the application due to the proposal likely causing a “significant impact” on nearby housing by altering the existing flood plain.

“There is significant modification of the flood plain proposed resulting in a loss of flood plain storage capacity,” the report stated.

“If an equivalent loss of flood plain storage occurred on other rural zoned properties within the flood plain, this would result in significant impact on other urban areas.”

Plans to construct an artificial water body on the site were described by the officer as involving “significant risks”.

The report also stated the planned housing development did not include appropriate agricultural buffers.

The proposed building heights and open spaces remain “unsolved”, according to the report.

The planning officer’s report said the council was due to provide the developer with their decision by October 28, 2024, but they missed the deadline.

The Sunshine Coast Council declined to comment on the development ahead of the ordinary meeting.