Next step for park

By Kirra Livingstone

PLANS for the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park Master Plan have been endorsed by council on July 27, bringing the proposal closer to becoming a reality.

The park’s purpose is to rejuvenate a 65ha old pasture site connected to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and to provide nature-based recreation, education and research.

The proposal would also ensure that the park wouldn’t impose on the already existing protected flora and fauna, restoring the site’s inherent environmental, natural and cultural heritage.

Division 5 Cr Winston Johnston said there had been extensive community engagement carried out for the planning of the park, to ensure there was significant input from as many people as possible. “We received almost 700 survey and written submissions and close to 300 face-to-face interactions across these three stages, showing a strong community interest in this project,” he said.

“Input from the community has allowed us to test the Ecological Park’s vision and values, refine the park’s functions, strategies and elements and ultimately shaped the Master Plan.”

Walking trails, wetlands, a forest lookout tower, treetop boardwalks, events space and a community hub for research and operations are all elements in the park’s proposal.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said now the park had been endorsed, the council would work towards establishing the relevant planning and design to ensure a perfect delivery of what is a long-term vision. “We anticipate it will take decades to bring this vision to life and for these ecosystems to fully recover,” he said.

As reported by GC&M News, quarry manager Chris Wilson had recently reached out to neighbouring properties flagging the company’s intentions and offering to answer questions about the impact of increased production.

Last week the company formally lodged its development application with Sunshine Coast Council.

The quarry proposes to increase production from 600,000 tonnes of rock per year to 1.2m tonnes over two stages.

To achieve appropriate noise and dust restrictions, Hanson stated it would close its existing processing plant and relocate to a more central location within the quarry footprint.

It is proposing to extend blasting times by two hours, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

The application requests approval to dig -48m below

“The committed and planned infrastructure spend for the Sunshine Coast will need substantial volumes of quarry materials and the Glasshouse Quarry is well placed to supply a significant portion of the total volume required,” the application states.

“It is therefore prudent and wise for the Glasshouse Quarry to take the necessary steps to prepare for the increased demand in both the short and long term.” to pay council 11 cents per tonne for haulage between 600,000 and 1.2m tonnes - a maximum of $66,000 per year, on top of the 47 cents per tonne it currently pays for haulage up to 600,000 tonnes, which amounts to a maximum of $282,000.

A ‘traffic and pavement impact assessment’ concluded the “proposed development was unlikely to increase the frequency or severity of crashes along the ...

According to the application, additional quarry haulage traffic would amount to 33 heavy vehicle trips (total two-way) per hour during peak times; and an additional 156 heavy vehicle loads per full weekday.

Hanson said it would pay for upgrades along parts of its haulage route.

“Upgrades to certain intersections between the site and Steve Irwin Way ... would contribute to a safer environment for all road users,” it stated in the

“These upgrade works would be funded by Hanson and include Basic Left/Right Turn upgrades and Channelised Right Turn upgrades.”

To read the full application go to: developmenti. sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ Home/FilterDirect?filters=DA Number=MCU23/0070 home limitations and change local planning laws has seen a surge of interest with petitions lodged at both local and state level rapidly gaining traction.

These petitions come in the wake of the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2023 endorsed at Council’s Ordinary meeting on July 27, which saw a packed gallery of community group representatives, residents and housing activists in attendance. Tiny community living campaigner Helen Andrew, supported by the Maleny Housing Working Group has launched a state wide petition that calls for immediate recognition that temporary dwellings are becoming permanent homes for residents throughout Queensland due to the housing crisis.

The petition also calls for a change in planning laws across Queensland to allow rural landowners to host several tiny housing types on private land.

Helen Andrew acknowledged that while these were not the only solutions to what was a deeply complex, challenging and multifaceted issue around housing accessibility and affordability, these calls to support tiny community living sought to provide an urgent response to what many in the community were experiencing now.

Seeking to legitimise tiny homes on wheels, busses, and caravans as permanent housing options, and with nearly 5,000 signatures to date calling for action lodged in a current E-petition with State Parliament, local affordable housing advocates are pleased a groundswell of support has resulted in a Sunshine Coast Council Petition having 11 lead petitioners submit over 750 names calling for temporary dwelling law change to local Councillors at the July 27 meeting.

“We need housing action now, we want to see the ceasing of eviction of people on land where they are living in caravans, buses, and tiny houses etc, and recognise in the new town plan that these living situations that used to be considered temporary are now increasingly permanent with the housing crisis. We also want to see rural landowners allowed to host several small dwellings on their properties so they can help provide an immediate solution to the housing crisis,” Helen explained.

Helen said she was pleased Sunshine Coast Council had released their ‘Housing and Homelessness Action Plan’ which acknowledged the significant housing affordability challenges and increased levels of homelessness in the region, and outlined five key activities (delivery, facilitation, advocacy, capacity, and knowledge building) to improve the housing response at a local level.

However, she questioned why no substantial community engagement had been undertaken during the preparation of the plan.

“I understand that Council heavily referred to their regional strategies and corporate plan which involved significant community engagement, but this is the most important issue facing our Sunshine Coast community right now, and so I feel the community should have had some ability during the process to make comment,” Helen said Helen said housing affordability and accessibility was an interlinked issue between state and local governments, and it was critical that the community advocated to both levels of government.

She said she was optimistic and excited that change was possible.

“I feel like we are making positive progress and this motivates us to continue to create conversations within our communities,” she said.

“It has been amazing to watch awareness and interest grow and to have people step up and show their support- we have had an