THE controversial Sekisui House development will soon be put to bed with Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) giving the developers a 31 March deadline to submit amended concept plans.
Sekisui is proposing to build a five-star international hotel, conference facilities and residential development on land it owns at Yaroomba Beach.
But, 15 of the 17 proposed buildings are in excess of the town plan, meaning changes would have to be made to the planning scheme to accommodate the development.
The local community has slammed the project, holding numerous protests and plastering Yaroomba and Coolum with anti-development placards.
Late last year SCC deferred making any decision on whether it would start a possible planning scheme amendment process for the Yaroomba site until more information was provided by the developer on a range of matters, including access and land tenure.
Sekisui House representatives had also notified council the company would carry out additional community consultation on their development proposal.
SCC Mayor Mark Jamieson said the developer had since advised it was considering an amended concept plan as a result of community consultation, but SCC don’t know what the changes will be.
Mayor Jamieson said the decision cannot continue to be deferred and once the requested information is received, officers will assess the revised proposal and report to council in late April.
Mayor Jamieson said council recognised the significance of Sekisui House’s investment intentions to the region.
“Council must, however, balance a range of considerations, which includes the interests of the community in having a clear understanding of council’s position on the proposed development,” he said.
“Having the additional information and the amended concept plan is imperative so councillors are fully informed before they consider whether to commence the process to make an amendment to the planning scheme.
“I have always maintained that having access to all information is in the interest of the whole community, no matter where individuals stand on this issue.
“If – and I emphasise ‘if’ – a decision is made by council to propose a planning scheme amendment, this will only be the start of a process, throughout which the community has input.
Mayor Jamieson said he can reassure residents, businesses and community groups that full community consultation is required when a planning scheme amendment is proposed.
