Glasshouse Chamber cites key concerns with planning scheme
By Mitch Gaynor
GLASSHOUSE Country businesses have called for a “growth with guardrails” approach to the Sunshine Coast’s proposed 2024–2046 planning scheme, warning that without infrastructure, affordable premises and streamlined regulation, confidence in the hinterland economy will falter.
In a submission to Sunshine Coast Council, the Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce (pictured), representing operators across Beerwah, Landsborough, Glass House Mountains, Beerburrum, Peachester, Mooloolah Valley and Glenview, said growth was welcome “but only if it is well-sequenced, affordable, and strengthens our local economy rather than undermining it”.
The Chamber surveyed 80 businesses for the submission. Rising costs and infrastructure were rated the two most pressing issues, with 71 per cent of operators nominating cost pressures such as energy, insurance, rates and rents as their number one challenge.
Improving transport and connectivity was ranked the highest planning priority (4.36 out of 5), while balancing development with lifestyle and amenity and protecting rural character and environment also scored strongly.
Tourism emerged as the biggest opportunity for the region, identified by 65 per cent of respondents, followed by housing growth (42 per cent) and infrastructure investment (43 per cent). Yet many operators voiced frustration at “red tape” around small-scale ventures such as farm stays, farm gate sales and hosted accommodation, calling for simplified approvals and a plain-English code of practice.
The Chamber’s submission sets out nine key priorities: infrastructure first; strong and affordable centres with small-format tenancies; safeguarded and expanded industrial land; diverse and affordable workforce housing; tourism “unlocked, not overregulated”; cutting SME red tape; hinterland-specific transport and parking standards; predictable hazard and environment overlays; and transparent monitoring of delivery.
It argues infrastructure must be sequenced with growth, particularly in the long-flagged Beerwah East expansion area, where roads, rail, water and schools remain undefined. Without certainty, the Chamber warned that “businesses lose confidence and investment stalls”.
Concerns around affordability also loomed large. Nearly 40 per cent of surveyed businesses cited rent and leasing costs as a weakness, while one in four reported limited availability of business premises. Half of all respondents lease commercial premises and a quarter operate from home, underscoring the demand for flexible and affordable spaces.
On housing, the Chamber backed diverse options such as duplexes, small-lot homes and build-to-rent models near stations and services, stressing that supply was central to workforce attraction. Some 42 per cent of businesses already see labour and skills shortages as a weakness, the survey found.
