Parklakes Central Bli Bli development moves into final public notification period

The fate of former Sunshine Coast farmland could soon be decided as the 450-lot Parklakes Central application moves into the final stage of public notification.

The Parklakes Central development site in Bli Bli. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The fate of former farmland in Bli Bli could soon be decided as the Parklakes Central development application moves into the final stage of public notification.

Application documents submitted to Sunshine Coast Council earlier this month in response to an information request have detailed plans for the project - including significant changes to infrastructure at Bli Bli.

Parklakes Central, also called Bli Bli Northern Village, would include 450 residential low-density homes - depending if plans for a retirement facility are approved - as well as 70 medium-density homes and a shopping centre.

It would be the third stage of the housing project, with developers Robert Flipp, Peter Shadforth and Sam Williams also fronting the now-completed Parklakes 1 and 2.

The proposal has caused a stir in the community, with locals taking to a Bli Bli Facebook page to air their concerns over building on flood-prone land and the ability for the nearby roads to handle such a spike in population.

Resident of 40 years Lyn Donald said she believed properties that hadn’t flooded before would now be at risk.

Lorien Pinna said she was more concerned about traffic.

But others weren’t so skeptical.

“I’m sure it will be fine,” said Aine Watkins.

“I’m more concerned about when the bloody tavern will finally be open.”

The application is now open for public submissions for this site in Bli Bli. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Development engineer and managing director of Covey Associates Kevin Covey said they had been looking at development options for this site since 2017.

“The Parklakes Central development enables the use of currently underutilised urban footprint land,” he said.

“There has also been a demonstrated economic need for an additional local centre to support northern Bli Bli residents.”

A Flood Impact Assessment report submitted to council said modelling showed the proposed development would not cause an unacceptable increase to peak flood levels outside of the site.

“It is noted that some increases will occur immediately north of the site, at the primary discharge location from the proposed lake,” it reads.

The report stated the property north of that site was currently controlled by the same owner as the development site so that would be “acceptable”.

The Flood Impact Assessment report showing the Parklakes Central site boundary (in red) and the elevation levels along the Maroochy River in Bli Bli.

It also described minor increase in peak flood levels of between 10 mm and 22 mm downstream of the main channel.

“These minor changes in flood levels do not represent an adverse impact on downstream property owners,” it reads.

“The results of the assessment show that the proposed development will provide adequate mitigation of runoff such that no adverse impacts, relative to existing local and regional flooding conditions, will occur outside of the subject site.”

Mr Covey said the flood impact report was undertaken to ensure there was no impact for downstream landowners.

“There is a dual lake system proposed with significant flood storage,” he said.

“This is similar to Parklakes 2 and to my knowledge the lakes work very efficiently in significant rain events.”

Mr Covey said they had undertaken a substantial traffic study, with options for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to assess, that included improvements to the road network.

“We have gone into considerable detail for all aspects of the development and believe all concerns have been answered,” he said.

Flood waters on the David Low Way near Bli Bli in 2022. Picture: Brad Fleet

A council spokeswoman said they were assessing the application, which was lodged in February 2022.

The spokeswoman said the decision-making process would include state government assessment for “vegetation clearing and state transport matters”.

Public consultation is open until June 30, 2023.

“Following a review of the submissions received and an assessment by council officers, the application will proceed to a council ordinary meeting for decision,” the council spokeswoman said.