Community clubs call for Maleny District Park plan to be pushed back
By Sonia Isaacs
COMMUNITY groups in Maleny are calling on Sunshine Coast Council to delay public consultation on the proposed Maleny District Park Concept Plan until the new draft planning scheme is released for public review.
The Maleny Golf Club, Friends of Pattemore House and the Maleny District Sport and Recreation Club (MDSRC) are among those raising concerns that the current Concept Plan may not align with the existing 2014 Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.
They argue that meaningful consultation cannot take place without access to the upcoming draft scheme, which remains under wraps.
Maleny Golf Club President Doug Evans said the club welcomed the chance to provide input but needed more time and planning clarity to participate fully.
“The time allowed for informed comment is unreasonably short for a community organisation such as the MGC,” Mr Evans said.
“We believe the District Park Plan conflicts with the 2014 City Plan.
It may be that the unreleased draft scheme addresses this, but if so, we may wish to challenge those changes.
We respectfully request that no deadline for feedback be set until the draft planning scheme is released.”
Mr Evans also noted the impact of community input on previous planning outcomes, citing the club’s successful recommendations regarding zoning in the 2014 scheme.
Echoing these concerns, MDSRC Secretary Carolyn Williams described the current June 1 consultation deadline as “simply too short” for the more than 60 sport, recreation, and service organisations her group represents.
“Many elements of the proposed plan impinge on the interests of our member clubs,” Ms Williams said.
“We agree with the other community clubs that aspects appear inconsistent with the current City Plan, and believe community consultation on the draft planning scheme should precede any decision on the District Park.”
Both organisations reiterated the importance of community ‘ownership’ of the final plan, especially considering the potential cost of the development and the ongoing role local clubs play in delivering facilities on limited budgets.
According to MDSRC, one of the key concerns is whether the provision for housing on the precinct will remain under the new planning framework — an issue that can’t be resolved without sighting the draft scheme.
Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston has defended the consultation process, pushing back against calls for a delay.
“We’ve gone out with this to say, ‘Have we got it right?’
If they think we haven’t got it right, then put their submission in,” Cr Johnston said.
He expressed disappointment that some local organisations had not reached out directly.
“I’m very disappointed that they haven’t come to me to express the point of view that they want extra time,” he said.
“If they want to achieve things, they need to work with their local councillor and with the senior management of council to make things happen.”
Cr Johnston also stressed that the consultation is focused specifically on the district park, not wider planning changes.
“The new master plan for the district park has got very little to do with the town plan,” he said.
Community feedback is open until June 1 2025 at haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/maleny-districtpark
sonia@gcnews.com.au