Stockland shares video promoting contested Aura South development

Stockland sticks by the Halls Creek development plans despite the Sunshine Coast Council claiming its ongoing opposition to the proposal is “longstanding and well-known”.

Stockland has applied to the federal government for environmental approval to develop more than 1200 hectares near its major Caloundra South development.

Major developer Stockland continues to promote the proposed development of the highly-contested Aura South, despite its uncertain future.

A video shared on Stockland’s Sunshine Coast social media page describes the “potential” development of Halls Creek as a possible solution to the region’s housing woes.

“This cleared, self-contained former pine plantation has the potential to play a significant role in addressing issues such as housing supply and affordability, as well as drive job creation and critical investment in infrastructure to support the growing needs of the Sunshine Coast community,” the post stated.

The video showed various shots of the 1230ha site at Halls Creek.

According to Stockland’s website the development proposal is currently in the “early stages of planning” and will seek to include stakeholders in the processes of securing the needed approvals.

Stockland senior environment and community development manager Mark Stephens at the site of the former cleared pine plantation which is being proposed for Aura South. Picture: Michael Hatcher.

The Aura South proposal was met with fierce opposition by the former Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson who described Stockland’s attempts at seeking federal environmental approvals as having “no lawful basis”.

It was the former mayor’s position a more appropriate location for a housing development was Beerwah East.

A Stockland spokeswoman said the project was currently subject to federal government approvals.

“Aura South is currently subject to a Commonwealth government application under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, to be assessed via a Public Environment Report (PER),” she said.

“The PER is the first step in the approvals process and is a scientific and independent assessment with opportunities for community feedback.

“Aura South has been identified as a Potential Future Growth Area since 2009 and is recognised by the state government as a site that could play a significant role in supporting the growing region’s housing needs.”

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said the position of the council regarding Aura South had not changed.

“Council does not support the development of Halls Creek for urban purposes. This position is longstanding and well known,” she said.

“Council’s recent submission to Shaping SEQ 2023 maintains this position and identifies that the area should instead be added to the Northern Inter-urban Break.”

New Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli is yet to respond to questions regarding the proposal.