Developer set to take Sunshine Coast Council to court over rejected childcare plans

The developer behind plans for a new childcare centre in Moffat Beach, which was denied a number of changes by the Sunshine Coast Council, will take the matter back to court.

Moffat Beach childcare plans rejected by the Sunshine Coast Council.

The developer behind plans for a new childcare centre in Moffat Beach, which was denied a number of changes by the Sunshine Coast Council, will take the matter to court for a second time.

The Moffat Beach Early Learning Centre on the corner of Queen St and Maltman St North in Caloundra is set to replace a single existing home on the property after it was granted approval on appeal by the Planning and Environment Court in December, 2023.

However, documents submitted to the Planning and Environment Court on November 14, 2024, show the council rejected the developer’s request to make a series of minor changes to the approved plan.

Plans for a new childcare centre in Moffat Beach are set to go before the Planning and Environment Court for a second time after the Sunshine Coast Council rejected a series of minor changes.

The developer, GGBSC Properties Four Pty Ltd, submitted a number of changes to the council, including an increase in the height of fencing to 2.4 metres and more outdoor play space.

The centre was also seeking approval to increase the total number of children on site to 103, up from the initial maximum of 95, and convert the designated “yoga room” into an additional activity room.

According to court documents, the proposed changes would not have introduced any new uses to the development or impacted the appearance of the proposed building.

“The proposed changes do not result in any dramatic change to the built form in terms of scale, bulk and appearance,” the court documents stated.

The documents claim the changes to the two-storey development should ultimately be approved by the court.

“Having regard to all the circumstances, the changes to the development approval are appropriate and ought to be approved,” the documents stated.

The Sunshine Coast Council has been contacted by this publication for comment.