Queensland government completes review into Sunshine Coast’s planning scheme

The state government has weighed in on the Sunshine Coast Council’s planning scheme as the community waits to see the finalised proposal including building heights limits and green space.

Sunshine Coast Council city hall. Picture: Sam Turner

The state government has weighed in on the Sunshine Coast Council’s latest planning scheme, attaching a number of conditions as the community waits for the finalised proposal.

The new planning scheme, set to replace the existing scheme adopted in 2014, was first introduced to the public by the council in 2021.

The state government was provided with the scheme’s plans for an interest review in December 2023 after the council completed a preliminary public consultation in 2022.

Top concerns for the survey respondents who participated in the first consultation were the natural environment, maintaining building heights within set limits, resilience to climate change, keeping the region’s character and maintaining enough green space.

According to the council’s website the plan would ensure the Sunshine Coast region was able to serve local communities through to 2046 as the population is set to rapidly expand.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the new planning scheme provided the opportunity for the community to shape how the region grows.

“If you live, visit or own a business or property on the Sunshine Coast, the proposed planning scheme will interest you,” Ms Natoli said.

The council announced on Wednesday, March 12, the state government had completed the review and created a number of conditions the council would need to implement as the process continued.

Ms Natoli said the council would need to review the state government’s conditions before the scheme ultimately went out to the second stage of public consultation.

“We understand our community is eager to review the details of how these principles will be delivered, particularly in relation to the location of any future additional density or building heights,” Ms Natoli said.

“That said, it is important to note that the Council’s review of the Queensland Government conditions and subsequent revisions to the proposed planning scheme will take time.

“This process is essential to ensure the conditions are thoroughly addressed before we proceed to community consultation.”

Following the public consultation period the planning scheme will then be submitted to the state planning minister for review before finally being adopted and implemented.

Originally published as Queensland government completes review into Sunshine Coast’s planning scheme