Progress updates: Key decisions for major Sunshine Coast 2022 developments
They have been met with plenty of controversy and drama, but these major Sunshine Coast developments all face a crucial year ahead. See how the projects are tracking:
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Whether they’ve been subject to community criticism or drama between developers, these Sunshine Coast projects haven’t had a smooth ride.
From a controversial housing estate with possible environmental impacts to a service station that wasn’t received well by residents of the small town, these projects are all facing crucial decisions in the year ahead.
Progress updates and court appeal statuses of these key Sunshine Coast developments have been provided below.
Twin Waters West
Developer Stockland is continuing to fight a Sunshine Coast Council decision to refuse its controversial Twin Waters West development.
Back in 2020, appeal documents were lodged in the Planning and Environment Court seeking the refusal be set aside and instead its bid for approval at the 104ha parcel of Pacific Paradise land be granted.
Save Twin Waters West and Surrounds Inc president Kathryn Hyman told the Sunshine Coast Daily the appeal case was tracking well, with the next review date on March 10, 2022.
“At the next review we are likely to set a timeline for the hearing and the subsequent trial and we are also currently looking for witness statements,” Ms Hyman said.
“We are asking our members and people in the community to provide statements as to what they perceive will be the impacts of the development.”
Ms Hyman said Development Watch’s win in its appeal against Sekisui House’s $900m Yaroomba development left her feeling “quite bolstered”.
“We’ve got very strong grounds, we are hopeful and hope we can present evidence and that evidence will be factored into the decision making”
“It is a long game, we’ve been going for five years and we not at the end of the road yet but we are getting to the pointy end.”
Sunshine Coast councillors voted to refuse Stockland’s application after Cr Jason O’Pray moved the council go against the advice of its planning department to approve the development.
Stockland’s application was two-pronged, seeking approval for a variation to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 as well as a development permit to reconfigure four lots into 182 lots to be developed over two stages, as well as new roads, parks and the balance of the site for future development, subject to further applications.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said the council would review the appeal and would continue to defend the council’s position to refuse the application in accordance with the Planning Act 2016 and other related legislation.
Sekisui House, Yaroomba Beach
A community group has won its appeal against Sekisui House’s $900m Yaroomba development in February, 2022 and the company has been left to consider its options.
The Court of Appeal found three errors of law in an earlier decision by Judge Nicole Kefford to dismiss Development Watch’s appeal and approve the application for the beachside resort and development.
Three judges found that she disregarded submissions opposing the development because of height concerns, in their judgment to be published next week.
Sekisui House Yaroomba project director Evan Aldridge said the company would consider its options in 2022, including going back to the Planning and Environment Court for a project review or to opt for another development.
He said they could either continue with the court process or develop the site according to a 2009 approval for the Hyatt gated residential apartment and housing estate.
Sunshine Coast Council has refused to reveal if it will continue to stand with Sekisui House in the dispute, after being involved since the appeal was lodged in 2018 against its approval of the project.
The appeal against an earlier court decision means Sekisui House and the council as co-respondent could go back to the Planning and Environment Court for the approval to be reviewed.
A council spokesman on Thursday said it was reviewing the new judgment “in its entirety”.
The spokesman said the council would wait until the court’s fresh consideration of the case before commenting further.
Surf Parks Australia’s wave park, Glass House Mountains
A Sunshine Coast wave pool developer is appealing Sunshine Coast Council’s approval of Surf Parks Australia’s Glass House Mountains wave park, claiming it is the wrong location and there is no economic need for it.
Sanad Capital – which has a wave pool and water park project more than five years in the making and has council approval – is challenging the decision and calling on a court to refuse the project.
A Sanad Capital spokesman slammed the approval of a rival project as “completely nuts” after launching the legal stoush.
A Sanad Capital spokesman said the approval “doesn’t make any sense” in a statement.
He said Surf Parks Australia could not progress its project while the appeal was still being processed through the Court of Appeal.
Surf Parks Australia chief executive and Sunshine Coast real estate agent Craig Morrison said he hoped the appeal would not delay the estimated $30m project.
“Our team has the technology, funding and experience to deliver the project, so it is disappointing that the appeal has been filed against the council,” Mr Morrison said.
“We are moving ahead with detailed design and are finalising agreements with our development and our operating partners.
“We hope this appeal will not slow our ability to get moving on the construction of the facility.”
Orthodontist, Nicklin Way
Residents were given a period of time to have their say about an application that was lodged for a mixed-use development including a medical surgery, eight units and a cafe in Parrearra.
Submitted on behalf of Sunshine Coast orthodontist Dr Vas Srinivasan, the development proposal was put under public notification for being “inconsistent” with the site’s zoning of medium density residential under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.
With the public notification period having ended, the application will now either be approved or declined in the months to come.
Dr Srinivasan already owns Invisible Orthodontics at the 64 Nicklin Way site which he wants to redevelop and double in size and also build an eight-unit apartment block and a food outlet on neighbouring blocks.
According to the application, the expanded orthodontic surgery will include a reception, two exam rooms, two consulting rooms and a staff recreation area.
Despite the conflict with the planning scheme, the application states the development would be an appropriate use of the land located on the busy road.
“The delivery of a pure residential product on the site, as anticipated for the site under the planning scheme, is significantly impacted by the road noise impacts associated with the Nicklin Way,” the application said.
Service station, Yandina
A Yandina service station that was knocked back by Sunshine Coast Council in June, 2021, has been the subject of objection from local community and business groups.
One issue raised by the community was that the service station did not suit the character and heritage feel of the particular site.
However, a spokesman for developer Pearl Energy said the design of the service station and shop recognised the history of the Sunshine Coast’s oldest town.
Sunshine Coast Council rejected the proposal as it was not in keeping with the town’s streetscape character or heritage values.
“It does not follow the pattern of existing development in the Yandina local centre with buildings located towards the street,” the council’s decision notice read.
Connor O’Meara Solicitors filed a notice of appeal at the Brisbane Planning and Environment Court against the decision.
In the appeal notice, the solicitors argued the development must be approved “given it complied with the relevant assessment benchmarks”.
The appeal is still before the Court of Appeal, with the next review set for Friday February 18, 2022.
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