Jarrod Bleijie takes over controversial Coochin Fields proposal

A major development proposed for the Sunshine Coast will be decided by the Deputy Premier, after the local government raised concerns over environmental impacts.

Plans for Coochin Fields.

A major development proposed for the Sunshine Coast has been called in by the Deputy Premier, after the local government raised concerns with the plans due to environmental impacts.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie notified the Sunshine Coast Council CEO, John Baker, that he would call-in the application on June 12, 2025, for the property at 1807 Roys Road, Coochin Creek.

The developer, Comiskey Group, intends to transform the site into a tourist park with 75 cabins and 75 campsites.

The plans for the developer’s festival site, Coochin Fields, and accommodation were first submitted to the council in 2022.

The Planning and Environment Court approved the initial accommodation application, however the Comiskey Group submitted a further application for a large development in October 2024.

The existing approval for the site allows for nature-based tourism and just 100 campsites.

The call-in allows Mr Bleijie to assess and decide the proposal, overriding the council.

According to the action notice from Mr Bleijie, the Sunshine Coast Council had issues with the application due to environment concerns.

“The Council is of the view that the current proposal is of a scale and intensity that has the potential to adversely impact on ecologically important areas adjacent to the site, through noise, light, waste, and water quality impacts,” Mr Bleijie sated in the notice.

Jarrod Bleijie will assess and decide the outcome of the controversial development proposal. Photo Steve Pohlner

Mr Bleijie stated in the notice the development application showed a need for the proposal to go ahead as planned by the Comiskey Group.

“The material lodged in support of the application indicates there is a community and economic need for the proposed camping ground to be developed at the subject site,” Mr Bleijie stated.

“Furthermore, this material indicates that significant accommodation investment is required across the Sunshine Coast region to improve the facilities, meet growth in overnight visitation and attract high yielding markets.”

Mr Bleijie’s move to use his call-in powers comes after the state planning department became involved in another Sunshine Coast development in Maleny.

The short-term accommodation proposal was in the Planning and Environment Court when the state department stepped in to support the development going ahead.