By Sonia Isaacs
THE State Government is under pressure to reveal its plans for the long-awaited Beerwah East residential development with the Opposition demanding details of negotiations with HQPlantations and budget allocations are made public.
Beerwah East, earmarked since 2017 as a Major Development Area under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, has been touted as a potential home for more than 50,000 people – comparable in scale to the Caloundra South Priority Development Area (Aura).
Yet, more than seven years since it was first announced, the project remains in limbo, with key land and planning hurdles unresolved.
Labor’s Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, lodged two formal Questions on Notice in late October pressing Deputy Premier, Jarrod Bleijie, for details on progress, negotiations with HQP, and budget allocations in the 2025–26 State Budget.
“Will the Deputy Premier advise (a) whether the Crisafulli Government remains committed to unlocking this
area for future urban development, (b) the total amount allocated in the 2025-26 Queensland Budget,” Mr Ryan asked.
A second question sought details of the “current status of any negotiations or processes relating to the
surrender or variation of HQPlantations’ licence within Beerwah East”.
According to the Opposition, about 2,700 hectares of the 3,200-hectare Beerwah East site are still under plantation licence to Hancock Queensland Plantations (HQPlantations)
Unlocking the site for housing requires a licence variation or surrender and compensation agreement, processes that they query have yet to begin.
“The future of this land is unclear under the Crisafulli LNP Government, with no efforts made to date to unlock this land for housing,” an Opposition spokesperson said.
“The government hasn’t budgeted any money for an Indigenous Land Use Agreement or HQPlantations compensation – both essential steps to progress housing supply.”
A Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning spokesperson said the Government would review Beerwah East’s long-term potential as part of the upcoming South East Queensland Regional Plan review.
“The Queensland Government has committed to developing new regional plans and infrastructure strategies that appropriately cater for growth while protecting community lifestyle,” the spokesperson said.
Sunshine Coast Council, meanwhile, has urged the State to act, saying it “strongly supports” the completion of detailed planning and an early start to development.
Council’s proposed new planning scheme designates Beerwah East as a future urban area, noting its strategic location along the planned Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (The Wave).
“The timing for potential development of these first release areas rests with the State Government,” a Council spokesperson said.
“It is important that any development does not compromise the long-term vision and coordinated planning of the Beerwah East SEQ Development Area as a whole.”
sonia@gcnews.com.au