Rezoning snub deals blow to major development plans

NEW Sundale CEO Danielle Mackenzie says she is disappointed after expansion plans for a new Coast retirement facility were dealt a major blow.

Sunshine Coast Council chose not to proceed with rezoning of a block of land at Montville owned by Sundale. Picture: Contributed

NEW Sundale CEO Danielle Mackenzie says she is disappointed after expansion plans for a new Coast retirement facility were dealt a major blow.

Her Nambour-based not-for-profit's bid to build a retirement community in Montville was blocked at a Sunshine Coast Council meeting last week.

Sundale's Western Avenue property had been included in zoning changes the council had proposed to the State Government earlier this year.

That proposal came after the State Government last year, when acting on requests from the council, had included 40 per cent of the Sundale land in its expanded urban footprint.

The move opened the door for the council to change the land's zoning from rural to community facilities, which would have in turn allowed for retirement or aged care development.

But in the lead up to last week's meeting the council's officers chose not to proceed with the rezoning.

Public submissions received in June and July showed 49 opposed to a retirement or aged care facility to two in support.

Potential traffic impacts, effects on amenity of surrounding rural land and a lack of need for aged care development in the area were submitted as reasons against.

Council officers also noted zoning changes in Mapleton would allow for residential care and retirement facilities that could service the Montville area.

Cr Greg Rogerson tried at Thursday's meeting to have the Sundale land included in the changes again by moving an alternate motion.

He said any development of aged care or residential facilities could be made impact assessable, meaning feedback would be sought from the community as a part of the application process.

But he was able to rally support from only one of his fellow councillors, which was not enough to have the land included again.

Ms Mackenzie, who has been in her role for two weeks, said she was disappointed and the topic would be discussed at a board meeting later this month.

"We are looking at what we do with the land," Ms Mackenzie said.

For now, the block will not change from its current zoning, which is predominantly rural with a small section zoned for town centre purposes.