VIEW News

Sunshine Coast Division 8 Councillor Debbie Blumel will move to reject Stockland’s application for preliminary approval to develop a 103 hectare site known as Twin Waters West at council’s Strategy and Planning Meeting on Wednesday 8 July.

The Twin Waters West site lies between the existing Twin Waters residential community and the Sunshine Motorway on land that is designated for agricultural protection and conservation.

The application is for 905 dwellings consisting mainly of detached dwellings as well as some multiple dwelling units up to 8.5m in height.

“It’s important that this development is refused as it has been a significant issue in the Maroochy north shore communities for some time,” Cr Blumel said.

“948 submissions were received with 888 objecting to the proposal and 60 in support.

“There are several key grounds for refusal—the first being that the proposal goes against the land use designation under the planning scheme.

“Stockland is asking council to over-ride the planning scheme by proposing to put residential development on land that is currently designated as rural under the Maroochy Plan.

“This site is designated as good quality agricultural land and the proposal seeks to convert much of it to residential use.

“The site is on the north bank of the Maroochy River, quite near the river mouth, and forms an important part of the flood plain. The applicant hasn’t adequately demonstrated that the development would protect people and property from flood risks or preserve the required flood storage and conveyance functions of the site.

“Council has a clear policy stance on limiting further development on floodplains and in the context of recent natural flooding disasters. Yet still the developers continue their push to put more people in the same situation.

“The very small lots size of the proposed blocks of land is also of concern with 200 square meters minimum and 400 square meters on average. This is much smaller than is usually achieved in neighbourhood residential precincts.

“The amount of traffic that would be funnelled through very few access points is also of concern to local people and was an important consideration raised in their submissions.

“I strongly respect the planning scheme and this application has not demonstrated that it can achieve the required outcomes under those provisions.”