By Mitch Gaynor
THE group behind plans for a massive 150-hectare music festival site at Coochin Creek is battling council over plans for a much smaller nearby campground.
Comiskey Management Services is currently embroiled in court action after its proposal for a 41-hectare “nature based tourism” development including 100 campsites, was rejected by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
The proposal for 1807 Roys Road, Coochin Creek included a swimming pool, tennis court, playground and an amenities block.
The Council opposed the development on a number of grounds including that it would “alienate or fragment agricultural land”, it had not demonstrated that there was an overriding public need for the development and that it does not “preserve the productive characteristics of agricultural land”.
There were also concerns that the development would result in “unacceptable noise impacts”, that it would have unacceptable impacts on existing and future rural activities and there would be unacceptable transport and traffic safety issues on Roys Road.
It was also rejected on the grounds that it could result in unacceptable impact on ecologically important areas.
The prevalence of mosquitoes was also cited as a major concern.
“The proposed development is subject to unacceptable impacts caused by mosquitoes and biting insects and the proposed method of biting insect control by applications of pyrethoid insecticides is not acceptable,” the council stated.
In its appeal to the Planning and Environment Court, Comiskey Management Services argued that the nature based tourism proposal was consistent with rural zoning usage.
It argued the proposal promoted appreciation of the environment, supported tourism, and would operate to minimise conflicts with existing and future rural actiites on surrounding land. The appeal also argued that the proposal would not adversely impact the inter-urban break – green space between greater Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. In its appeal, Comiskey argued there would be no adverse impact on Roys Road and that safety impacts of biting insects could be “suitably mitigated”.
Judge Kefford directed the parties to attend a meeting to be conducted by the Planning and Envioronment Registrar this week.
Comiskey Group Manager, Rob Comiskey, said he was “disappointed” the council had rejected the application.
“We hope to resolve it with Council as we believe the issues they raised are minor,” he said.
Mr Comiskey said the festival site and tourism site were completely separate projects and the outcome of the case would not impact on Comiskey’s ability to deliver a music festival.
The group had hoped to kick-off its Coochin Fields festival this year, but due to Covid that has now been delayed to mid 2023.
The proposed site of Comiskey’s ‘nature based tourism’ project at Coochin Creek.
