Proposed tourism, agribusiness development Barns Lane Farm project at Coolum Beach reaches next stage

A Sunshine Coast residents’ group is ‘fairly enthusiastic’ about a major tourism and agribusiness proposal slated for a controversial site.

Coolum Residents Association president Ray Barber said the group was fairly enthusiastic about the Barns Lane Farm proposal.

A site that was once the subject of a lengthy court dispute now has a more suitable development proposed, according to a Coolum residents’ group.

Plans for a major agribusiness and tourism development at 39 Barns Lane have reached the next stage with the project out for public comment.

Coolum Residents Association president Ray Barber said the 90-member group was “fairly enthusiastic” about the Barns Lane Farm project at the site once controversially mooted for a new Bunnings.

Co-founders Jason Grant and Jonathan Leishman lodged plans earlier this year for the seasonal local produce hall, gin distillery, brewery, restaurant and bakery.

The development is also planned to have a 26-room boutique hotel to cater for rural destination weddings and events.

PLANS: The vision for the new Barns Lane Farm.

Mr Barber the developers met with key community groups to discuss the plans.

“They met us last year and our committee was quite impressed, but not unanimously, with the proposal,” he said.

Mr Barber said he believed an agribusiness would be a good use for the site and was inline with the council’s planning scheme.

“This developer has sought to respect the town plan … it seems to be low-rise and a more appropriate entry statement to Coolum than a big warehouse,” he said.

PLANS: The vision for the new Barns Lane Farm.

“It ticks a few boxes.

“Ours and the other local groups have a history of fighting tourism proposals where they are not in line with the town plan.

“This doesn’t commit the sins of former developments, it pays attention to what’s around that area and they have respected residents by speaking with them first.”

Former Maroochy and Sunshine Coast councils refused Bunnings‘ three development applications to build a warehouse, service station and restaurant in 2006, 2012 and 2016 on grounds the development did not comply with the planning scheme.

Bunnings Warehouse placed 39 Barns Lane on the market after its failed lengthy bid to develop the site.

The refusals were upheld in the Planning and Environment Court and finally the Supreme Court of Queensland, which dismissed Bunnings‘ appeal in November 2019.

Bunnings sold the 6.8ha site to the Brisbane buyers late last year.

Residents have until July 8 to make a submission on the proposal for the Material Change of Use application lodged with Sunshine Coast Council.

For more information visit sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as Proposed tourism, agribusiness development Barns Lane Farm project at Coolum Beach reaches next stage