Comiskey Group’s court appeal win paves way for work on boutique venue at Doonan, Sunshine Coast

A millionaire Queensland pub baron behind the Sandstone Point and Eatons Hill taverns has won a hard-fought legal challenge to get the green light for a Sunshine Coast venue. Here’s what locals can expect.

Robert Comiskey is thrilled with the Planning and Environment Court’s decision to approve the Comiskey Group’s development application for a boutique venue at the Sunshine Coast. Picture: John Gass

A millionaire pub baron behind some of Queensland’s landmark venues is ready to create “something pretty special” after he received the go-ahead for a Sunshine Coast venue.

Rob Comiskey of the Comiskey Group received the decision he’d waited 10 months for last week after a lengthy court dispute involving his bid for a new hotel and cellar door at Doonan.

The family-owned company, behind the Sandstone Point and Eatons Hill taverns, took Sunshine Coast Council to court over its rejection of the development at the 2ha Eumundi Noosa Road site.

The council rejected the application on several grounds including flooding concerns and conflicts with the planning scheme.

Planning and Environment Court judge Michael Williamson upheld the Comiskey Group’s appeal on July 16 and gave the council one month to provide conditions for the boutique venue project.

“It’s been a long time coming so we’re ecstatic with the decision,” Mr Comiskey said.

The Comiskey Group is behind the Sandstone Point Hotel at Bribie Island.

The company expects to start detailed designs soon to turn the former restaurant site at 6 Beddington Road into a family-friendly hotel with a paddock-to-plate menu, bar and cellar door.

The venue would take inspiration from The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney and The Farm at Byron Bay.

Mr Comiskey said council’s decision in May 2019 surprised him but they were prepared to challenge it in court.

Judge Williamson said the noncompliances would not result in any unacceptable town planning consequences and did not warrant the council’s refusal.

The application was put to council in September 2018 and received 145 submissions, of which five were against.

Proposal plans for the Comiskey Group's boutique venue planned for 6 Beddington Road, Doonan.

“We saw it as a community asset and something that would enrich Doonan and the surrounding areas,” Mr Comiskey said.

“It was a long wait but it was worth it and now we can get on with the fun part.

“We’re really happy with the decision and want to get on with it as soon as possible.”

He said they would start design work soon and pending council’s conditions they hope to begin construction early next year.

Mr Comiskey said with fellow company directors, brother David and dad Paul, they had planned the development for about 10 years.

Sunshine Coast businessmen and hotel owners Joshua Jones and Neville Allen, also long-time friends of the Comiskeys, joined the group as business partners for the venture.

Mr Comiskey said by coincidence the trio were all together when he received the phone call with the court’s decision.

“We were all just catching up which we only get a chance to do once or twice a year so that was pretty special,” he said.

Originally published as Comiskey Group’s court appeal win paves way for work on boutique venue at Doonan, Sunshine Coast