Controversial height limit change stalled by state planning minister

A controversial proposal by the Sunshine Coast Council to increase height limits to encourage more high-end hotel developers has stalled in the hands of the planning minister.

Sunshine Coast Council city hall. Picture: Sam Turner

A controversial proposal by the Sunshine Coast Council to increase height limits to encourage more high-end hotel developers has stalled in the hands of the planning minister.

The temporary local planning instrument hotel incentives package was presented to the state minister for planning and deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie on December 12, 2024, according to the council, after it was passed during the council’s meeting in November.

If approved, the planning instrument would allow certain developers to build taller projects along the coastline in a bid to attract five-star hotels ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Certain development fees for high-end hotels would also be slashed.

The proposal divided the local community during a public consultation, with 50 per cent strongly opposing the plan, 48 per cent in support of the incentives and two per cent unsure.

The main concerns shared by those against the proposal included issues with the increased building heights and environmental impacts.

Since the hotel incentives package was first announced, two luxury developments have already been proposed for the region.

However, the proposed plan has not yet been reviewed, and no notice of Mr Bleijie’s decision returned to the council.

Queensland Deputy Premier and planning minister Jarrod Bleijie is yet to respond to the Sunshine Coast Council’s controversial temporary local planning instrument. Picture David Clark

According to the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules document, a response from Mr Bleijie is expected to be provided to the council within 20 days of receiving the proposal.

“If the Minister approves the local government making or amending a TLPI, the Minister must, within 20 days of receiving the proposed TLPI or TLPI amendment, give the local government a notice,” the guideline stated.

The notice would inform the council the Minister either approves of the making or amending of the TLPI, whether there are to be conditions and what date the planning instrument is to come into effect.

In the event Mr Bleijie were to reject the proposal this notice must also be provided to the council within 20 days, the guideline stated.

Mr Bleijie’s office declined to comment on the length of the review process.

Originally published as Controversial height limit change stalled by state planning minister