THE Sunshine Coast could become the pioneering surf park capital of Australia and draw hundreds of thousands of people to the region each year if a second wave park goes ahead.
The Sunshine Coast Council last year approved the construction of two wave parks 21km apart at Glass House Mountains and Glenview.
But in December last year, Sanad, the developer of the $150 million Glenview project, appealed against the approval of the second park, to be built by Surf Parks Australia.
Court documents now reveal the ongoing standoff between the two companies and the Council, which is adamant both parks would be viable.
In documents lodged in the Planning and Environment Court, Sanad Capital claimed the competing surf park should not go ahead because there was not proven economic, community or planning need for the second facility.
It also argued that there would be unacceptable economic and other adverse impacts on existing approved tourism developments.
The council countered that its expectation would be upwards of 200,000 people a year would use both parks and relative profits of each company should not be a determining factor.
“Even with less visits they clearly would be viable, and no one suggests that both being in operation would lead one to become unviable,” the documents stated, adding later that “a reduction in profits is a matter of private economics”.
Sanad however argued that Surf Parks Australia’s and the Council’s assertion that there would be economic benefits to the region were overstated “because if this facility is not approved, the Sunshine Coast will still get a world class surfing attraction” being Sanad’s facility.
In the Council’s submission, it quotes a town planner who said the addition of a second wave park would enhance the coast’s reputation as an area where surfing is carried out all year round, not just when waves are rideable. “The benefits to the community will come at a time when surf parks are just coming into being, so the Sunshine Coast can promote itself as something of a pioneer for this new and innovative type of recreational facility.”
But Sanad dismissed the argument of both parks leading to the creation of a Sunshine Coast surfing hub, claiming it was already the case due to its natural beaches. “It will therefore always be a hub regardless of whether this facility is approved,” it stated.
Sanad also argued the development was to be built on agricultural land in the inter-urban break between Caloundra and Caboolture and therefore does not comply with local planning schemes.
But the Council countered that the approval of a tourism facility on agricultural land was encouraged so long as it does not compromise the use of the land for rural activities.
“This proposed development is compatible with a rural setting and does not compromise the use of the land for rural activities,” the document stated.
“Matters of need and the interests of the community offset the loss of this land from rural production and any non compliance that arises.”
The fact that the approved development was outside a designated tourism zone was also rejected by Council. “To the contrary, the land’s location outside of such a focus area is not a reason for refusal,” it argued.
“The proposed development is entirely in accord with what the planning scheme contemplates for this very kind of development (tourism) in this very locality (ie outside a focus area) is a persuasive matter in support of its approval.”
The Council also argued that the scale of the loss of rural land was relatively minor. The appeal is continuing.