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Coochin Creek: add your voice!
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
The date has arrived for you to submit your objections to the development of a huge tourist park at Coochin Creek, one of a series of connected Development Applications. This development is within the protected Northern Inter-Urban Break, and puts nature in Pumicestone Passage and on Bribie Island at risk.
BIEPA strongly objects to this proposed development, which has already been refused by Sunshine Coast Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
What you can do
Please copy the suggested template below and make it your own, then email your objections to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning:
TO: deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
CC: industrialrelations@ministerial.qld.gov.au
pumicestone@parliament.qld.gov.au
environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au
premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
You must include your full name and address for your objections to be accepted, and send it before the deadline for submissions on 17th November 2025.
Note that as this application is subject to a Ministerial Call-in (see call-in notice) that bypasses the usual planning process, objections must be made by in writing to the Minister directly, not via the Sunshine Coast Council DA tracker.
Further action planned
This is part of a series of adjacent developments covering a large rural area. A second objection will be required soon when a proposed development of a 35,000 visitor music entertainment venue by the same developer will be open for submissions.
This is an opportunity for every BIEPA member to speak up, and demonstrate the power of community commitment to preserving our natural amenity.
Suggested template
Start with these example objections, thanks to Take Action Pumicestone Passage.
From: (put your name here)
Address: (your postal address)
Date: (between 27 October and 17 November 2025)
To: The Honourable J. Bleijie MP, Deputy Premier
Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
and Minister for Industrial Relations
P.O. Box 15009, CITY EAST, QLD 4002
Proposed Coochin Creek Tourist Park - 1807 Roys Road, Coochin Creek
Lot 10 on SP132272 and Lot 6 on SP184133
‘Other’ Change to development permit for material change of use of premises to establish a tourist park (comprising 150 sites [75 cabins and 75 camp sites] and ancillary recreation facilities) & operational work (stormwater, earthworks & access).
I object to the above Tourist Park Development Application for these reasons:
The development is not a light footprint “Eco-Park”.
The broad scale excavation and earthworks required to construct this proposed Big4 style Tourist Park with 75 Cabins and 75 Camp/Caravan sites will irrevocably damage the protected fabric of the Northern Inter Urban Break (NIUB).
It is irresponsible and inappropriate to construct swimming pools, jumping castles, a water park with water buckets, as well as a thousand square metre building with reception, bars and dining, cabanas and pools with tiles and concrete on the banks of the Ramsar protected Pumicestone Passage fish habitat area.
Noise, light and vehicle pollution will have a disastrous impact on the peaceful lifestyle of local residents and cause permanent disruption to vital wildlife habitat, including our already at risk migrating shorebirds.
The Queensland Government's own State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has recommended the Deputy Premier refuse the application because this high-impact development does not comply with regulations relating to allowable activities in the NIUB. No good reason exists for the proposed Tourist Park to be located in a protected green-belt area.
The following issues relating to Roys Road (East):
Single ingress and egress via Roys Rd (East) through a high intensity bushfire zone. This is a narrow, unlit rural road, with many blind spots.
600 people coming and going in vehicles on a single lane, rural road where wildlife often crossesor sits.
Unsafe for caravans (impossible to manoeuvre quickly on blind corners with two single-lane bridges, one in a flood zone).
For drivers not used to Roys Rd, there is a real likelihood of two caravans having an accident when trying to pass.
This road has been blocked in the past by bushfires and flood.
Roys Rd between the single lane bridge to 1806 is prone to flooding several times a year, potentially preventing patrons and workers accessing or leaving the site, and increasing risky driving through flood waters.
Emergency services also unable to get through in fire and flood.
Environmental impacts
Site is on Pumicestone Passage, directly abutting a Marine Conservation Park Zone, close to Bribie Island Marine National Park.
600 guests, vehicles, activity severely impact the foraging habits of surrounding wildlife particularly nocturnal fauna, and birds.
The area is vital for 40,000 annual visiting migratory shorebirds which need rest to regain strength for their return journey.
Treated sewerage (peak) will irrigate 2.43 hectares using 64,400 litres of effluent per day. The Government's own wetland maps confirm land and dams drain into Pumicestone Passage, indicating risks to hydrological security and wildlife habitats.
Locals are very aware of a serious mosquito (biting insect) problem throughout Coochin Creek, also acknowledged on the development plans. Mosquitoes do not stay behind a dotted line. Sea breezes and westerly winds are likely to disburse any “blanket” insect control chemical spraying onto Pumicestone Passage water, the birds and also onto residential homes nearby entering water supply. Spraying is likely to blanket kill insects that are vital to the food chain for other wildlife.
SARA Advises REFUSAL BY THE PLANNING MINISTER
The State Government’s own planning department – State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA) concluded:
No economic need in the public interest.
No unique features requiring location in the NIUB (green belt).
Adverse environmental impacts acknowledged (including to Pumicestone Passage).
Negative impacts on local residents.
Access to site via a single rural, no-through road in a high intensity bushfire zone.
I request the Hon Jarrod Bleijie REFUSE the application for a Big4 Style Tourist Park at 1807 Roys Rd Coochin Creek as it is the wrong location for this type of development, which is better suited to a tourist zone where it will not have an impact on the sensitive marine habitat, wetlands system, and shorebird environment of Pumicestone Passage.
Sincerely
(Your name here)
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