SW Yandina developer challenges Sunshine Coast Council rejection in court

A Sunshine Coast farming family is taking the council to court as they fight to develop swathes of former farmland they have owned since the 1970s.

Two pineapple farmers who once promised to do the right thing by Yandina in a huge subdivision are taking their fight for the development to court.

Siblings Gordon and Murray Oakes have appealed Sunshine Coast Council’s refusal of their 265-lot subdivision at Yandina in the Planning and Environment Court.

Their father Wesley bought the 31ha Wappa Falls and Bracken Fern Rd blocks in 1972 which up until the 2003 were used to farm sugar cane.

Council rejected the subdivision proposal in December citing concerns that it did not suit the rural Sunshine Coast suburb’s character.

Yandina and District Community Association president Marie Reeve said the council’s decision was welcomed and she was “extremely disappointed” by the appeal.

She said more than 200 residents wrote to council to raise concerns with the development – however because it was a code assessable application they did not have to be considered in the council’s decision.

The Oakes’ have called on the Planning and Environment Court to overrule the council decision and approve the project.

They argued that with lots starting at 700 sqm the development would suit the region’s character.

They said a new roundabout was also proposed to be constructed at the intersection with Wappa Falls Rd that would also link in with Retreat Crescent.

The council’s refusal was due to several reasons including character and flooding concerns and because it found the project did not protect environmental values including koala habitats.

It said it did not retain the rural character of Yandina – one of the Sunshine Coast’s oldest suburbs.

“It does not reflect traditional rural town qualities such as large lots, open streetscapes and mature street trees,” it said.

Yandina resident Marie Reeve wants basic infrastructure upgraded throughout the township before more residential development is allowed to go ahead.

The development application was lodged in June 2020 however it had been planned for many years.

Gordon Oakes said in 2018 that the land was used for cane farming until 2003.

The family has long planned to shift from farming to subdividing.

“It (the subdivision) will be in stages and we will take some pride in it and hopefully do it right for Yandina,” Mr Oakes said at the time.

“Yandina is our home town.”

Ms Reeve said she hoped the family would opt for a development more sympathetic to the rural character of the region.

Known locally as “SW Yandina”, Ms Reeve said the plans for subdivision featured smaller blocks than some of the surrounding streets and roads and roundabouts wouldn’t suit the area.

“This was an opportunity to have a standout subdivision, something that Yandina could be proud of,” Ms Reeve said.

“Larger blocks, mature trees, cooling spaces, not a hot roof and road tight subdivision.

“We’re not opposed to a subdivision but we’re opposed to that design.”