Luxury hotel developments could be fast-tracked across the 4551 postcode, with building regulations eased as Sunshine Coast Council aims to expand short-term accommodation ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
However, Caloundra locals fear the relaxed rules could be exploited to push through developments unsuited to the area.
Sunshine Coast Council decided to make a proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) at Council’s November 21 Ordinary Meeting.
The proposed TLPI provides for a “targeted and time-limited” set of planning provisions to encourage the development of upscale hotels – four star and above.
This would include a height allowance and reduced on-site car parking requirements.
Before it can take effect, the proposed TLPI must be approved by the State Planning Minister.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the tourism industry and business community have highlighted the urgent need for new, branded hotels for several years.
“To confirm this need and help design the incentive package, Council engaged an independent consultant early in the development of the proposal,” Cr Natoli said.
“We need a breadth of options to suit different visitor needs.
“We acknowledge our community is concerned about high rise development, so it’s important to understand that the TLPI provides for only a modest increase in building height, in very limited circumstances, for only a single form of development and only for a short period of time.
“It’s not anticipated to result in development substantially different to what is currently allowed under the current planning scheme.”
Mayor Natoli said the proposed TLPI only related to “building height and car parking” for a hotel development.
“All other provisions in the planning scheme such as biodiversity and coastal protection, continue to apply,” she said.
But a group of concerned locals are petitioning against the proposed 12 storey IHG Hotels and Resorts Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra development on Bulcock Street.
The 160-room hotel is set to be completed by 2028 with plans to provide only 86 parking bays, raising concerns among locals about the strain on available spaces and sparking the launch of a local petition.
A local resident argued the Council’s assumption guests would “likely use other transport and shuttle services instead of arriving by car” doesn’t reflect reality.
“Council states guests will not drive cars to stay here and if they do they can utilise the existing parking infrastructure in Caloundra – parking is a major issue already,” she said.
There was also concern that the proposed hotel was 13m higher than current planning laws permit.
A petition against the hotel development is set up on Change.org and states “We, the undersigned respectfully petition the Sunshine Coast Council to:
“Not approve a development proposal for a hotel at 51-55 Bulcock St Caloundra that involves the use of their proposed TLPI to allow for a reduced number of parking spaces and increased height.
“The petitioners reject the notion that 86 car spaces are adequate for a 160-room hotel.
“We also reject the increased height proposal and the location of the hotel.”
www.change.org/p/no-hotel-at-51-55-bulcock-st-caloundra?recruiter=1358641840&recruited_by_id=22113760-aba2-11ef-b66b-4369be6d1e2c&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard&utm_medium=copylink.
