Comiskey Group’s applications to create tourism hub in Coochin Creek
By Kirra Livingstone
FIVE-star resort facilities including 75 luxury villas are part of the Comiskey Group’s expanded plans for a tourism mecca close to its proposed Coochin Fields festival site.
The proposed villas are part of an amended addition to the Comiskey Group’s nature-based tourist park ‘Coochin Eco-Resort’ at Coochin Creek.
The application comes as Group Director, Rob Comiskey told GC&M News he was frustrated at the council’s lack of support with his projects.
Coochin Fields, which promises to be the nation’s largest festival site and will plug the gap left by failed events in the past 12 months, has been held up in the Planning and Environment Court for the past year.
The dispute is centred on whether the application is classified as a ‘major sport, recreation and entertainment site’, which carries significantly higher development costs, or – Mr Comiskey’s preference – an ‘outdoor sport and recreation site’.
Mr Comiskey said he was confident the P&E Court would back his argument.
“If we are found to be correct, then the application has to be accepted and we move forward,” he said.
“We will have to look at what that means for us if it goes the way of the council.
“But I’m not even thinking of that possibility because we are very confident.”
Mr Comiskey added he had never encountered this level of “red tape” with a council before. “I don’t know why this application is different,” he said.
“I couldn’t answer what the council was thinking. “We’ve never had one of our applications not be accepted by a council.”
The Comiskey Group aims to host around six annual events at Coochin Fields, generating an estimated $95 million in visitor spending for the region.
Meanwhile the Comiskey Group has lodged the change to its application for its Coochin Eco-Resort on October 14, 2024, following another appeal to the P&E Court after it was initially rejected by council.
The original development, which was approved by the court on December 20, 2023, allowed for 100 camp sites and ancillary recreation facilities.
Coochin Eco-Resort will offer activities including eco-tours along the Pumicestone Passage, sailing, boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, and bushwalking.
The development would also feature two resort-sized pools, a waterplay park and playground, putt-putt golf, a jumping pillow, and basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts. Mr Comiskey said it would be a unique addition to the coast’s tourism mix.
“It’s something the Sunshine Coast doesn’t have yet, with facilities akin to a five-star resort, similar to Sandstone Point Holiday Resort,” he said.
“But you’ll be able to do everything from camping in a tent all the way to staying in a villa.” If approved, construction is anticipated to begin between early and mid 2025.
“Once that gets approved, we hope to start work immediately,” Mr Comiskey said.
“It will be a 12-month build for the tourist park because it’s a fairly substantial development.”
