Sunshine Coast Council has summarised its vision for additional medium-rise development, duplexes and apartments in beachside suburbs under proposed changes to the town plan. Residents are being encouraged to have their say and help shape the future of the region.
The council is composing a new planning scheme to 2041 to cater for the region’s exceptional growth and has released its early “planning directions” that outline proposed changes for each suburb.
In the council’s vision, the coastal corridor from Maroochydore to Caloundra could anticipate undergoing the most change, with more medium-rise buildings along the populated stretch and in suburbs like Currimundi and Battery Hill.
But small hinterland villages and areas like the Buderim plateau and north of the Maroochy River like Coolum would remain mostly unaffected.
In its overarching vision for the future, the council says the Sunshine Coast by 2041 would be a place with “predominantly low to medium-rise built form”.
The council has emphasised its desire to “maintain a strong position on building height limits” to address the community’s apprehension of high rises.
However, key hubs like Maroochydore, Kawana and Caloundra would continue to densify with more medium-rise towers and duplexes to improve housing affordability while still safeguarding cherished beach areas.
Have your say
The council is now calling on Sunshine Coast residents to have their say on the creation of a new town plan.
A community reference group has been working with council from the outset to provide valuable feedback on how to engage with the community.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson encouraged residents to speak up before March 31.
The council has released:
- A proposed vision which outlines its broad regional planning directions
- Local planning directions which outline proposed changes for each suburb