Cloud over future of Sekisui House land following development approval

Mystery shrouds the future of Sekisui House’s controversial development on the Sunshine Coast as the community ponders its next move and Clive Palmer reveals his position.

A developer will not reveal the future of a controversial site at Yaroomba as community groups consider their next move and attract political allies.

Major developer Sekisui House has remained silent on the future of its controversial Yaroomba beachfront development site after it received a shock approval for its $900m proposal.

Land at the centre of a controversial development approval still belongs to the development firm which was founded in Japan in 1960, as several community groups consider their next move in the courts.

On June 9, Judge Nicole Kefford, in the Planning and Environment Court, approved a $900m development in Yaroomba following a hearing in August last year.

The Sunshine Coast Council had granted Sekisui House the approval over the 18.5ha beachside site after a six-in-favour and five-against vote by councillors in 2018.

Court documents showed the developer wanted to build a five-star, 220-room seven-storey hotel, commercial space, an “educational establishment”, Surf Life Saving Queensland facilities and about 133 other dwellings in buildings between five and seven storeys.

Lower density housing of three and four storeys in height was also proposed in parcels across the site.

Artist's impressions of Sekisui House's hotel and residential development at Yaroomba.

A five-year legal battle between community groups Development Watch and the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, and Sekisui House and the Sunshine Coast Council ensued.

Sekisui House put the land up for sale last year.

Sekisui House listed its 18.5ha development site at Yaroomba for sale last year.

The developer did not comment on the sale at the time.

The Sunshine Coast Daily approached Sekisui House for comment on the latest court judgment and the land sale.

The developer responded to questions, including if the land had sold and the identity of a buyer, by stating there was no update about the future of the site, as rumours swirl in the local community that a deal for the site may be imminent.

A property search on the parcel of land on June 9 showed SH Coolum Pty Ltd remains the registered owner.

Businessman Clive Palmer has confirmed he has not bought the Sekisui House Yaroomba site. Picture: Dan Peled

Mining magnate Clive Palmer owns the nearby Palmer Coolum Resort and he also confirmed through a media spokesman that he had not bought the Yaroomba site.

Community groups have 30 business days to appeal the Planning and Environment Court decision.

Development Watch president Lyn Saxton said she was feeling “okay” and since speaking to the community she had realised there was support for another court battle.

A group of community members who have raised money for community groups to battle a controversial development application at Yaroomba in the courts.

“Our legal team is meeting in couple of weeks’ time to discuss the Judgement and whether we have grounds to file another appeal in the Supreme Court,” she said.

The Sunshine Coast Environment Council’s Narelle McCarthy said the community was “reacting to the judgment” and there was still a commitment to defend the values of Yaroomba and uphold the planning scheme.

“The community is bitterly disappointed and we’re down but certainly not out as we consider this judgment and the next steps,” she said.