Council votes down Sekisui House project

THE proposed development of Sekisui House has come to a standstill with Sunshine Coast Councillors having today voted against changes to the town planning scheme required to complete the project.
The decision comes as a relief to many locals who have been strongly opposed to the building of the five-star international hotel, conference facilities and residential development on land at Yaroomba Beach.
Indeed there was a packed gallery at Caloundra Chambers this morning to hear the councillors state their case and vote on the controversial issue.
Councillors Jason O’Pray, Peter Cox, Greg Rogerson, Tim Dwyer, Steve Robinson, Jenny McKay, Ted Hungerford, Christian Dickson and Chris Thompson have supported the officers’ recommendations and don’t believe the planning scheme should be altered.
Mayor Mark Jamieson also voted against planning scheme changes.
Cr Peter Cox was the lone councillor to vote for changes to the planning scheme at this morning’s meeting.
The council decision not to propose an amendment to the planning scheme was in line with the planning officers’ recommendation to today’s special meeting.
The reasons cited in the officer’s report to the council included the incompatibility of the proposed amendment with the existing character of the local area and that it did not achieve an optimal urban design outcome for the site.
The report considered by the council also noted that amending the scheme in the manner proposed would have adverse impacts on character and identity in the area and would also compromise the principles established in the Strategic Framework of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.
Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson said that on balance, it was not considered appropriate to propose an amendment to the planning scheme on the basis of the material submitted and the range of other considerations that the council had appropriately taken into account.
“In reaching its decision today, the council has, at all times, followed a process that considered the interests of the region, the landowner and the community,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“I don’t back away from my support for international hotels and resorts.
“Indeed if we are to capitalise on future tourism and business opportunities, that premium level of accommodation and facilities currently missing from our offering will need to be filled in various locations across the Coast.
“The council is, however, overwhelmingly of the view that the scale of development that would be enabled by the proposed planning scheme amendment is not appropriate at the Yaroomba site.
“We have many other locations on the Sunshine Coast – particularly in our major commercial and tourism centres from Maroochydore through to Caloundra – where a development of this intensity and scale would be better suited and is supported by our planning scheme.
“And this is exactly the calibre and standard of development that we want to see in those areas.”
Mayor Jamieson acknowledged that this matter had generated a very spirited community debate which at times, had left a lot to be desired.
“The landowner and the community need to be treated with respect and dignity in dealing with matters of this scale and importance,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“It is my hope that all parties can now work through a genuine dialogue to find the best solution for this site and for the Sunshine Coast.”
Sekisui House began discussions with the council about the proposal two years ago, given that the Yaroomba site had been identified as a coastal “Tourism Focus Area” in the council’s Strategic Framework.
Disappointed with the result of today’s meeting, Sekisui House senior development manager Evan Aldridge said the decision was a missed opportunity for the Sunshine Coast.
“The Coast will now lose the benefits of Sekisui House’s proposal, which would have delivered 4500 jobs over 12 years during construction, 620 permanent jobs, plus another 1500 indirect jobs in the community as well as much needed tourism infrastructure, including a five-star international hotel.”
Mr Aldridge said that Sekisui House will now take time to digest the council’s report and supplementary information.