Sunshine Coast Canelands Subdivisions Under Fire

Pic SCD By Warren Lynam

Media coverage today following my recent complaints about subdividing the Maroochy River canelands.

SUNSHINE COAST DAILY 19/05/2017 By Bill Hoffman

SUNSHINE Coast Council has started action against two subdivision developments on cane land north west of Bli Bli after complaints from an environmentalist battling to save key habitat for rare native bird species.

The council's Development Audit and Response officer has investigated four sites off Burtons Road which cuts a zig zag course through cane land between the Bli Bli-Yandia Road and the Maroochy River and found two which had breached the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.

The investigations were launched after Greg Roberts - an avid bird expert, environmentalist and blogger - complained about four subdivisions he alleged were in breach of both the planning scheme and the SEQ Regional Plan.

Mr Roberts has since written to divisional councillor Stephen Robinson raising concerns about a further two sub divisions.

He said he was gravely concerned at what appeared to be the accelerating rate of subdivision for real estate being approved on cane farms in the Maroochy River floodplain in areas.

Mr Roberts said the affected areas were notoriously flood-prone.

"Apart from the adverse social consequences of urban sprawl, the appeal of the Sunshine Coast as a tourist destination will not be enhanced by these developments,” he said.

"Moreover, they threaten once thriving but rapidly shrinking populations of the Eastern Grass Owl and other rare and threatened grassland birds.

"My understanding is that these subdivisions do not accord at least with the spirit - and seemingly the letter - of the council's Maroochy Plan and the state government's South-East Queensland Regional Plan.”

Mr Roberts' concerns have been heightened by the number of For Sale signs going up on cane land properties and the expectations of potential purchasers.

He said significant areas had already been sacrificed to the Maroochy River Golf Club development off the David Low Way at Bli Bli and the proposed Sunshine Coast Airport redevelopment.

"Work on some of the recently subdivided properties had to be suspended following recent heavy rains as vehicles and bulldozers became bogged in muddy quagmires,” he wrote in a letter to Cr Robison.

"A 2006 report by the CSIRO, Future Use of Sunshine Coast Cane Landscapes, says 7,000ha - close to half the Maroochy River floodplain - is poorly drained and flood-prone. Most of the floodplain - 13,000ha between Yandina in the west and Marcoola on the coast - is designated under the council's Maroochy Plan as a Sustainable Cane Lands Precinct.

"The plan says the existence of cane in these areas forms an important part of the rural character of the shire. Urban uses and the fragmentation of land holdings, other than to enhance their long-term viability or provide for supporting infrastructure, "are not considered desirable or consistent with the intent for this precinct.”

Mr Roberts said once healthy populations of Eastern Grass Owl, Red-backed Buttonquail, King Quail, Lewin's Rail and several raptors including Spotted Harrier in the Maroochy River floodplain were shrinking rapidly.

FURTHER COMMENT

While council action regarding the subdivisions is welcome, cracking down on the new landowners is locking the gate after the horse has bolted.  The problem is not primarily what the landowners are doing on their land. Indeed, one new owner I spoke to seems to be environmentally aware and is keen to protect grassland habitat on his property. The problem is the Sunshine Coast Council approving the subdivisions in the first place, and continuing a policy of stripping away what is left of the Sunshine Coast's rural heartland.