The major worry for Pumicestone Passage is the Caloundra South development.
Proposed Caloundra South Development
The 3,700 hectare Caloundra South greenfield site, also known as Caloundra Downs, is owned by property developers Stockland. The development of the former pine plantation is described and planned in Caloundra City Council’s draft Local Growth Management Strategy (LGMS) as occurring between 2018 and 2046, although it may be sooner.
The strategy outlines three major developments on the greenfield site: the Caloundra South Town Centre, a major commercial and retail hub of more than 50,000 people in 23,750 dwellings; the 150 hectare Caloundra South Aeronautical and Enterprise Area supporting a new aerodrome; and the Caloundra Regional Industry and Enterprise Area.
The SEQ Regional Plan shows Caloundra’s urban footprint extending west from the coast to the Bruce Highway and south to Bells Creek. Planning and urban design consultants Tract, who are working with Stockland on Caloundra South, also point to “significant land beyond the SEQ Urban Footprint, which is likely to be suitable for development”.
Bells Creek is the main watercourse draining Caloundra South and a major waterway into Pumicestone Passage.
Under the draft LGMS, Stockland’s development must “provide for the protection, buffering and reconnection of ecologically important areas”. While Stockland is not announcing any specific plans for the site, it points to its 147 hectare Bellvista development west of Caloundra as a model for urban stormwater management that would be adopted at Caloundra South.
Bellvista uses “raingardens” of native plants throughout the estate to trap and filter sediments, oils, metals and litter in stormwater before discharging to Lamerough Creek which in turn flows into the passage.
Stockland believes the raingardens reduce total suspended solids in urban runoff by 80 per cent, phosphorus by 60 per cent and nitrogen by 45 per cent. Caloundra South may go ahead even earlier than planned. The State Government recently announced a review of its timetable as part of its Housing Affordability Strategy, and development may be fast-tracked.
Anna Grosskreutz has grave concerns about Caloundra South, fearing it will overload natural ecosystems. Cr Grosskreutz has been a Caloundra councillor for 12 years and her division includes parts of the proposed development.
“Caloundra South is a massive urban development that will bring another 60,000 to 100,000 people – a frightening thought. It will be like another Robina on the Gold Coast, drawing activity away from the existing centre. It needs review on environmental and population grounds.”
“Once you start this kind of development, there’s no stopping it. Decades to come will see it progress further down Pumicestone Passage. People need to ask if this is what they really want. The government plans to overpopulate the coastline, and it’s the wrong philosophy,” Cr Grosskreutz said.
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Overpopulation of the Sunshine Coast area is not the answer to the growing trend to move to Queensland. There are many central areas that can better handle growth. The Government is allowing developers to put the cart before the horse. More and more people are moving to the Sunshine Coast, without sufficient facilities to cater for them and in an area where more than sufficient growth has already occurred.
The golden goose is being force-fed to the detriment of the whole Sunshine Coast area. All the problems of vandalism, crime, unemployment and pollution will follow. Impacts upon the marine environment of Pumicestone Passage will devastate our recreational fishing area. There are also valid concerns regarding impacts upon the Passage of airborne pollution and effluent from commercial poultry farming. Tourism industries and local residents will be badly effected if Stockland’s Caloundra South development and other unsuitable applications are approved.
Pumistone Passage-50.000people now, another 50.000 down the track?, and then some more until we stretch into Caboolture?
It is criminal madness. It will affect all marine, and wild life in the area!
This is an area vital to our breathing space. It certainly will increase global warming and cause more local pollution than we want or need.
We are going to strangle ourselves,and for what? Mainly for government being able to show to be doing something, and the greedy developers. (Who only come to help us!!!)
Codswallop!
We need to slow down on all development except essentials, and start thinking about what needs to be done and the order in which it should be done!