The Sunshine Coast Environmental Council (SCEC) is the umbrella organisation of more than 50 community groups. In this issue of ECO, we feature a group and its role in resisting the tsunami of development that threatens the Sunshine Coast.
Decisions in the 80s gave the green light to high rise development
Survey after survey has confirmed the sentiment of most Sunshine Coast residents — “We don’t want another Gold Coast.
With some predictions that the population here may reach a half a million by 2030, restraining the aspirations of developers and property marketeers is important for residents, and there are many examples of how the community has worked to prevent the urbanisation of the Coast from top to bottom.
One group of Coolum residents gathered in 2004 and set up Development Watch Inc, its spur to action being an inappropriate development proposed for Mount Coolum. They were perhaps inspired by the bulk of Mt Coolum overlooking this coastal suburb. The prominent peak is now protected as National Park instead of hosting a major development involving chairlifts and restaurants – this was an odious proposal of the late 80s defeated by an irate and determined community.
Coolum itself is far from being the sleepy village that attracted so many who live there. It suffers the ignominy of high rise on the beach as a result of shoddy decision-making by Maroochy Council in the 80s. Now it’s faced with fast-growing industrial and commercial precincts and expanding suburbia.
Development Watch fights to keep it all at bay by making sure that the community is well informed and has a strong voice in making its views known.
The group has about 50 members, they meet in Coolum bi-monthly and take a close look at any applications for development that are inappropriate not just for the Coolum area but also for the wider Sunshine Coast.
Careful monitoring of development proposals is very important, to make sure that they’re in line with the various State Acts and Policies and the planning schemes of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, and also compatible with community aspirations. Members are adept at reading and understanding the fine print and negotiating the bureaucratic maze.
They keep a keen eye on Council’s website and PD Online – the Council’s self-help service – and pick up development applications of interest at the application stage. They then monitor the application’s progress through the system and will usually know when the white signs go up.? The group involves the wider community with letter box drops, by getting petitions signed and holding public meetings. They formulate detailed submissions to local and state government to make sure that community views are represented.
Their involvement may not end even when Council rejects an application. Developers will often appeal the decision to the Planning and Environment Court. Development Watch may then elect to co-respond with Council to provide them with support and to reinforce the community view. Current applications now before the court range from an application for commercial offices in a residential area at Coolum Beach to a 950 dwelling residential development at Pacific Paradise.
President Brian Raison says that while the primary aim is preventing inappropriate development in the Coolum area, it’s important to have a regional perspective.
“Any major development proposal north of the Maroochy River could have an adverse impact on Coolum residents and businesses. Even residential developments further afield can affect parking, traffic congestion and liveability in Coolum,” he said.
“Take for example the proposed Caloundra South development – the Coast’s population jumps by 50,000 if it goes ahead. Creating a city the size of Gladstone so close to existing towns will really have a serious effect on liveability along the coast and in the popular hinterland towns.”
Unsustainable population growth is the key threat, according to Mr Raison. With a State Government determined to accommodate huge population increases in South East Queensland, and much the same outlook at the national level (both the Federal Government and Opposition seem to favour a forecast population 60% increase by 2050, which outstrips all other industrialised nations) what’s the best way deal with this?
“For starters, the Federal Government has to be convinced to have a population policy,” said Mr Raison.
“It has given no indication as to how it will stop the ever-increasing tide once its absurd target of 35 million by 2050 is reached. The country’s post-secondary education system needs serious overhaul so that skilled workers for Australia’s future needs are sourced from within, rather than relying on an unacceptable level of immigrants.
“This is an arid country and we will become a net importer of food unless the Federal Government can think beyond the ballot box and can also dampen the drivers of immigration.?“The Federal view is unlikely to change unless the States understand the problem. I don’t have a positive view of that happening. Development Watch is focussed on convincing our Council to maintain its publicly stated policy of determining carrying capacity before committing to development. With the Department of Infrastructure and Planning having the power to impose development on our Council, this conflict may only be resolved in the courts. That is, if our Councillors have the courage to pursue this course of action.”?Development Watch also sees unrestrained tourism growth as a threat to community liveability and well-being.
“We must have tourism, of course, but there is a limit to the number that can be accommodated,” said Mr Raison.
“Tourist blight – the disease that sees the very things that attract tourists to an area destroyed – is a serious concern of ours. As an example, Council plans to construct a new airport runway. Accommodating and amusing the increased number of tourists that will be required to justify expenditure on this project will exacerbate this blight.
“Remember, the Queensland Government requires the Sunshine Coast to have, in 20 years time, the same population that the Gold Coast has now.”?We are keen to hear from residents in the Coolum area who would like to assist in ensuring Coolum remains a great place to live and visit.
Phone Brian on 5446 4493 if you would like more information.
More information about Development Watch
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