By Sonia Isaacs
QUEENSLAND Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie is facing renewed scrutiny on the Sunshine Coast after proposing a ministerial call-in for a controversial music festival site development at Coochin Creek—reigniting debate over the balance between economic development and environmental protection.
The May 16 proposal involves the Comiskey Group’s planned “Coochin Fields” venue at 1641 Roys Road, which would host up to six major events annually, drawing crowds of up to 35,000 people per day.
It follows an earlier April 22 call-in for a neighbouring tourist park, also backed by the Comiskey-linked Coochin Creek Property Pty Ltd.
While Mr Bleijie has described the development as a “major tourism and economic opportunity,” it has attracted stiff opposition from environmental groups and government planning bodies.
In a comprehensive submission in response to the initial development application, the Sunshine Coast Council flagged 144 amendment items across 40 subject areas, warning the proposal was “of a scale and intensity that has the potential to adversely impact on ecologically important areas and the amenity of adjacent sensitive environments, through noise, light, waste, and water quality impact.”
The proposed festival site sits within the Moreton Bay–Sunshine Coast NIUB—a key regional biodiversity corridor. The council’s concerns were later echoed in a scathing assessment by the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA), which identified additional risks related to environmental degradation, traffic congestion and non-compliance with regional planning frameworks
Despite this, Minister Bleijie insists the project deserves further scrutiny at the state level. “I have decided to propose to call in the development application,” Mr Bleijie said. “The proposal represents a major tourism and economic opportunity… However, there are significant social and environmental matters that require consideration.”
The move marks the fifth ministerial call-in in five months by Mr Bleijie, who also serves as Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.
The rarely exercised power allows the state to override local and departmental planning processes where projects are deemed to be of state significance.
A council spokesperson acknowledged the Minister’s authority but urged community members to lodge formal submissions by the June 16 deadline.
“Any other enquiries regarding this Proposed Call-In Notice should be directed to the Deputy Premier,” the spokesperson said.
Local environmental groups including the Sunshine Coast Environment Council have condemned the Minister’s intervention, warning it could undermine years of detailed regional planning.
Ken Mewburn OAM, President of Take Action for Pumicestone Passage (TAPP), said the decision “sets a dangerous precedent”.
“The Call-in proposals, particularly one that over-rides a refusal by the State agency SARA, is of great concern,” Mr Mewburn said.
“With limited ability for the community to challenge shortcomings of the proposed development, environmental impacts may be irreversible along with identified social and safety issues.
“The Minister’s decision appears premature at best, and weighted in favour of the proponent, with little evidence that the long-term state benefits will outweigh the environmental and social costs.”
Minister Bleijie has been approached for further comment.
To view the proposal and make submissions via the Department of State Development and Infrastructure’s website at www.planning.qld.gov.au.