Sunshine Coast Council approves Wises Farm 116-unit development

A controversial Sunshine Coast 116-unit development has been given the green light, despite concerns over how the local government will manage a possible short-term accommodation takeover.

Sunshine Coast Council approves controversial Wises Farm development plans.

A controversial 116-unit development on the Sunshine Coast has been given the green light, despite concerns over how the local government will manage a possible short-term accommodation takeover.

The development planned for Wises Farm in Maroochydore was presented to the council at the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday, June 19.

The property owner, Living Choice Australia Pty Ltd, bought the block from the Wise family in 2001.

Currently vacant, the site at Sunrise Dr spans more than 8000sq m, with frontage to Amity Ave and Somerton Dr.

The residential unit block designs have been reduced from the initially proposed six storeys to four, according to the town planning report.

Sunshine Coast Council approves controversial Wises Farm development plans.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Councillor Joe Natoli and Councillor Taylor Bunnag excused themselves from the decision due to conflicts of interest.

Mr Bunnag said he had previously made a submission opposing the development in early 2024, while the Natolis had a relationship with a person involved in the project.

Councillor Christian Dickson said the answer to traffic congestion in the region, particularly on the Sunshine Motorway, was to build up and not out, “this is exactly where we want this to be”.

“The location is absolutely perfect,” Mr Dickson said.

Mr Dickson also said he had received “just one email” regarding the development, arguing there was not much community interest in the outcome.

Initial public consultation on the development received a strong community response in opposition to the proposal, with 93 from 100 submissions against the development.

Councillor David Law said he would like to see rules surrounding the development’s use of short-term accommodation.

Councillor David Law said while he supported the development, he would like to see council explore options to ensure the units were only used as long-term accommodation as opposed to short-term holiday units.

According to the council planning officer, a condition cannot be imposed on the approval due to preliminary approvals already given to the Wises Farm site.

To the council’s CEO, John Baker, Mr Law directly asked “could we please at least explore it”.

Mr Law’s comment was met with a round of applause in the chamber.

Councillor Maria Suarez, Councillor Terry Landsberg, Councillor Ted Hungerford, Councillor Winston Johnston, Councillor Jenny Broderick, Mr Law and Mr Dickson all voted in support of the development going ahead.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council approves Wises Farm 116-unit development