Sunshine Coast Council’s height limit decision described as a ‘disaster’

The president of an environmental group has slammed the Sunshine Coast Council’s move to go ahead with a hotel incentives package, labelling the decision as an “environmental nightmare”.

The Sunshine Coast Council will push ahead with a controversial temporary local planning instrument despite community backlash. Picture: Sam Turner

The president of an environmental group has slammed the Sunshine Coast Council’s move to go ahead with a hotel incentives package, labelling the decision as an “environmental nightmare”.

At the council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday, November 21, a controversial motion to relax height limits for high-end hotel developers was given the green light, despite a strong local opposition.

The temporary local planning instrument will 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.

Acting president of environment group, The Beach Matters, Rachael Bermingham said the council’s decision was an “environmental nightmare and disaster” opposed by a large portion of the community.

“They have not only ignored the greater percentage of the community who took the time and effort in trusting their word and feedback would be listened to, they have broken promises,” Ms Bermingham said.

Rachael Bermingham of The Beach Matters group. Picture: Contributed

Ms Bermingham said the council’s decision was simply “not good enough” and hotel developers should be encouraged to build in the city centres of Caloundra, Birtinya and Maroochydore rather than along the coastline.

“By the beach is an environmental nightmare and disaster, most people you talk to would be okay with it going into the CBDs,” she said.

New Year’s Eve fireworks at Mooloolaba.

The backlash comes as it was also revealed a longstanding Sunshine Coast New Year’s Eve tradition will not go ahead this year, following cost blowouts and safety concerns.

Mooloolaba’s midnight fireworks will instead be replaced by just one display at 8.30pm on New Year’s Eve to create a more family-focused event, according to a council spokeswoman.

“The event will now run from 5-10pm with a single fireworks display at 8.30pm,” she said.

“This decision supports QPS in managing community safety across the Sunshine Coast on one of the busiest nights of the year. The 8.30pm fireworks event is designed to prioritise a family-friendly atmosphere, noting that attendees post 8.30pm are predominantly youth.

“Additionally, the rising costs of event delivery have influenced this change.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council’s height limit decision described as a ‘disaster’