KEY POINTS: Draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme unveiled for community feedback
The draft planning scheme which is intended to shape the future of the Sunshine Coast and set a vision for 2046 has been released for community feedback.
Sunshine Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sunshine Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A draft for the Sunshine Coast’s next planning scheme has been released by council for community feedback after approval from the state.
Residents have been invited by the Sunshine Coast Council to view the drafted Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme which will set the vision for 2046.
It will replace the current scheme from 2014 after public consultation, which will be open until September 19, and then a ministerial review.
Following preliminary consultation, council identified housing supply and affordability, transport, traffic and parking, protecting the environment and maintaining the region’s character as some of the key points for the next planning scheme.
The draft was sent for a state interest review in December, 2023 and was returned to council in February this year, stating in a letter the plan aligned with most state interests.
The drafted planning scheme has now been released for the public to view, with some of their key focuses highlighted.
Members of the public can search for the property to view potential changes and impacts, and a feedback form is available.
SEE THE KEY POINTS:
ZONING AND BUILDING HEIGHT
Council’s information sheet reassures most zoning will remain the same, save for changes which will predominantly occur in urban areas close to centres, places of employment, infrastructure and services.
It has been proposed to introduce five new zones for the Sunshine Coast, these being a mixed use zone, industry zone, innovation zone, low-medium density residential zone and a neighbourhood centre zone.
The new industry zone will be a combination of the current medium and high impact industry zones for the purpose of simplicity and flexibility.
The draft planning scheme will also set height limits in both metres and storeys, compared to the current scheme which only measures in metres.
HOUSING SUPPLY, AFFORDABILITY AND DIVERSITY
The new scheme will aim to increase land supply for a range of housing, with affordability and diversity in mind, council’s information sheet reads.
This includes classifying Beerwah East as a “proposed new greenfield master planned community” with a “first stage” area subject to an emerging community zone.
It is also intends to create opportunities for a range of housing types, including smaller homes to match housing needs, and introduce certain provisions to encourage affordable and diverse housing.
New codes such as a fresh short-term accommodation code, a dwelling house (small lot) code and rooming accommodation code will be put in place to “regulate specific uses”.
The new planning scheme will increase the supply of zoned land for all housing types, discouraging small-scale housing in medium and high density residential zones to make way for apartments and providing more opportunities for dual occupancies in low density residential zones.
GREEN SPACE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL HAZARDS
With resilience against climate change, natural hazards and urban heat in mind, new and upgraded overlay mapping and codes will be implemented.
This aims to improve responses against flooding, stormwater and coastal, bushfire and landslide hazards.
A “green frame” on the Sunshine Coast was identified in order to protect the region’s natural and rural areas cherished by the community
This green frame includes some of the region’s significant natural elements such as the Blue Heart project, the lower Mooloolah River green space and the coastline’s beaches, dunes and headlands.
Council’s information sheet also made note of protecting the “regional interurban break” and the “subregional inter urban breaks” which provide non-urban breaks between the Sunshine Coast and greater Brisbane, and between coastal and hinterland Sunshine Coast communities respectively.
TRANSPORT AND PARKING
The draft planning scheme aims to support new housing to be in proximity to places of employment, services and recreational areas to encourage walkable neighbourhoods.
With the delivery of public transport in the hands of the state government, the drafted scheme intends to encourage its use by focusing future growth around existing and planned transport hubs.
A review of onsite parking requirements was completed to ensure its measures were up to date in addressing needs for various developments.
It was concluded the planning scheme would retain demand-based parking rates for residential uses, in line with a recent amendment to the current scheme.
MORE CHANGES:
Planning strategy
It is intended the planning scheme will involve an adjusted planning strategy to manage population growth in a “more sustainable manner” and protect green spaces.
First Nations
New provisions will be included to promote the protection of First Nations interests, which will require considerations of culture heritage values early in the process of certain development proposals.
Industry
The draft planning scheme promotes an increase supply of industrial zoned land with greater flexibility to allow for local employment opportunities.
Local plans, subdividing lots
It has been proposed to introduce 18 local plan areas encompassing both urban and rural areas across the entirety of the Sunshine Coast region.
New property specific minimum lot sizes have also been suggested to allow for a “more transparent and localised approach” in managing subdivisions.
Emerging technology
The draft planning scheme involves new standards and provisions to respond to technology such electric vehicle charging, e-mobility and ride-shares.
Development practice
Improved guidance and standards have been put together in order to support best practice development.
The drafted scheme provides 26 policies compared to the currently standing 21 policies.
200+ kids: First look inside mega-sized child care centre plans
A new child care centre, designed to accommodate more than 200 children, has been pitched for a fast-growing Sunshine Coast suburb.
Boaties face new safety blitz in environmental push
The state government is working to tackle issues of safety, pollution and environmental erosion on the Sunshine Coast, with the help of the local community.