We hope you, your families and friends remained safe throughout the recent severe and intense 'rain bomb', flooding and beach erosion events. Outcomes like this demonstrate the vulnerabilities of our region to the increasing impacts of climate change.
We are providing this special edition newsletter with a focus on the NEW Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme and specifically the Kawana Waters Local Plan. Our usual monthly email will be issued closer to the end of the month. Please participate in the various 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 surveys and have your say - we need to get this right!
So, where do I start? Either check out your Local Plan first and then go back to the other detail for the regional plan, or visa-versa and also consider the "hot topics". Here is the link to the Kawana Waters proposed Local Plan Area:
👉 https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/newplanningscheme/kawana-waters
with the survey link at the base of the page
In addition to completing this survey, you can also email your comments to Council. If you have already completed your survey and decide to add additional comments, then the email process is outlined at the base of this email. Let's start here - with our local plan and some details that may surprise you!
Kawana Waters Local Plan Area (LPA) - the proposed planning directions
For the coastal suburbs of Buddina, Minyama, Parrearra, Warana, Bokarina, Birtinya, Wurtulla, Mountain Creek and Meridan Plains, there are 15 proposed planning directions listed for Kawana Waters in the document on Council's website and 14 variations displayed on the map. Be conscious of the language, the content, the omissions and implications of the statements about proposed changes.
1. Focus areas of increased density/height in nodes along the Nicklin Way corridor (e.g. close to existing centres).
2. No high rise development outside major centres.
Yes, these 2 statements mean that there will be high rise within the 'major centres', unless you advocate for "no high rise" in your feedback.
Council intend to rezone of the current "district centre" (Kawana Shoppingworld and the Hotel area) plus expand that rezoned area to the "surrounds" to facilitate designation as a "major centre" which enables much taller buildings (the new high rise) across a broader area than the current zoning which is currently a mix of 12m and 21m.
This proposed rezoning will facilitate additional unspecified height (expect 6, 8, 10, 12 or more storeys) and density, with a significant increase in the number of dwellings.
Council has not highlighted this extensive rezoning; rather, they simply used the new zoning description in their planning direction statements. Planing directive 6 also reinforces this intended rezoning.
3. Retain most parts of the existing low density housing areas in Buddina, Minyama, Parrearra, Warana, Wurtulla, and Bokarina with minimal change.
4. Ensure appropriate transition between areas of higher density and low-density housing areas.
There will be density increases in the Low density residential areas, achieved through rezoning. The wording does NOT indicate NO change; it refers to "most parts" with “minimal change" and that change will result in density increases, some more than others.
Minimal change for most areas might be via rezoning from Low to the new zone called Low-Medium, thus increasing the density from single dwellings up to 3 storeys for duplexes and apartments.
With the addition of the new Low-Medium zone (inserted between Low and Medium), the existing Medium density (currently 12m or 3 storeys) will be upsized to 6 storeys (the new Medium rise).
Council has not highlighted these changes in transition heights effectively double the current ones.
5. No increase in height limits along the beachfront. Reduce current height limits in parts of Buddina Urban Village (Map Ref. 1)
CAUTION! This statement ONLY references the several hundred metres as specified on the map (i.e. the designated Buddina Urban Village); this statement does NOT apply to ALL beachfront land.
Council have retained the option to rezone for increased height and density along the remaining klms of beachfront.
Interesting wording Council have chosen for this planning direction.
6. Reflect Kawana Shoppingworld and surrounding commercial areas as part of the Kawana Major Regional Activity Centre (which also includes the new town centre at Birtinya) in accordance with the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 (Shaping SEQ) (Map Ref. 2)
The SEQ Regional Plan 2017 does NOT include any statements whatsoever about Kawana Shoppingworld being a Major regional activity centre NOR as an extension of the Kawana Town Centre at Birtinya.
The mapping (page 57) depicts the Kawana Town Centre (K18) at Birtinya as the one and only Major regional activity centre within the Kawana Waters area. The same map indicates the surrounding industrial and commercial areas through to Kawana Shoppingworld, the Hotel precinct and Minyama with this broader area is defined as the Regional economic cluster - NOT a Major regional activity centre. The map on page 123 confirms the Regional economic cluster (shaded grey area).
This inadvertent representation results in the broad area defined as the Regional Economic Cluster to be represented as a Major Regional Activity Centre, resulting in an inappropriate rezoning with high rise and much taller buildings with significant density increases.
7. Progressively transition developed areas such as Kawana Island, Kawana Forest and Creekside which are currently subject to the historical Kawana Waters Development Control Plan (DCP), into the planning scheme proper to standardise planning provisions for the area (Map Ref. 3)
8. Consider potential transition of all or part of Kawana Industrial Area to a wider mix of uses in the longer term to support the stadium precinct (Map Ref. 4)
9. Investigate options to allow for limited indoor sport and recreation uses in Kawana Industrial Area
If you live or work in these specified locations, please contact Strategic Planning team to identify how these changes will impact you. Alternatively, add your comments to your survey.
10. Review provisions relating to the development of dual occupancies (duplexes)
Hot Topic! You can offer your comments separately by email via their website link: https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/newplanningscheme/hot-topics
11. Protect local beaches, dunes, Point Cartwright and Mooloolah River
Sounds encouraging, unless it includes building more Sea walls / Rock walls.
A welcome protection might include increased setbacks and reduced site coverage for new development along the State declared erosion prone areas OR perhaps new enforcement measures for existing setbacks and site cover which are so often disregarded under the current scheme.
12. Include provisions to protect sea turtle sensitive areas
This is a welcome proposal. Protection provisions should apply to ALL new development (without exception) with designated conditions for varying distances up to a 20kms radius supporting reductions in sky-glow (research confirms a 20klm radius impact for skyglow).
13. Provide walkable, shady streets and a high amenity public realm
14. Provide for a series of interconnected linear open space networks, with a focus on connections to the beach, river and Lake Kawana
Preferred outcomes about public space are essential. Street trees and 1m landscaping buffers are important provisions to be included in all development approval conditions.
It's also important that Council ensures that no new development can block public access to our beaches, the river and Lake Kawana. In addition, there should be NO privatisation of any sections of our beaches and NO commercialisation within any sections of our reserves and parks.
15. Investigate ways to leverage opportunities associated with the 2032 Olympics
What a great opportunity to demonstrate a smart, sustainable region with an effective public transport system that a utilises a flexible a “green” bus network servicing residents and visitors from east to west and north to south across the region.
The new Maroochydore CBD is the perfect space for all Olympic activities from accommodation to selected sports venues. New buildings that will "post-Olympics" provide alternative dual purposes belong in the CBD, e.g. a basketball stadium converting to a Convention Centre. Avoid 'white elephants' being built elsewhere.
Kawana Waters Local Plan Area (LPA) - completing the Survey
Although the 1st 4 sections in the survey have questions that may appear to support Council's priority preferences (rezoning for high rise and density increases), there are 3 free-text areas for your comments at Q5, Q6 & Q7 each with 700 characters. Use this space to have your say.
In addition to completing the survey, you can also email your comments to Council stating "𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 - 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆".
Send these supplementary email submissions to: 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲@𝘀𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁.𝗾𝗹𝗱.𝗴𝗼𝘃.𝗮𝘂
Note: comments on Hot Topics (e.g. parking, duplexes, units-multiple dwellings) can also been completed on a separate survey (see below)
Surveys - have your say, don't leave it to others who may have different opinions
SCRC new Planning Scheme Submissions close on 31 March 2022
👉 https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/newplanningscheme
SCRC new Planning Scheme - Kawana Waters LPA Submissions close on 31 March 2022
👉 https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/newplanningscheme/kawana-waters
SCRC new Planning Scheme - Hot Topics Submissions close on 31 March 2022
👉 https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/newplanningscheme/hot-topics
