Council releases its vision for Caloundra South

July 2 2009 Council releases its vision for Caloundra South

Balancing 50,000 residents in 23,750 new dwellings in a sustainable and responsible way is at the heart of Council's vision for Caloundra South in a position paper to be released today for public comment.

Sunshine Coast Council endorsed the Caloundra South Position Paper at a Special Meeting of Council late last month.

Statutory and Regional Planning Portfolio holder Councillor Russell Green said the paper was a milestone document in terms of managing growth in one of the region's largest parcels of developable land.

"Caloundra South has been earmarked as a future growth area under various State and local government planning programs for several years," Cr Green said

"Last year, the State Government, as part of its Queensland Housing Affordability Strategy, identified Caloundra South as one of the greenfield areas capable of being fast tracked for development, requiring Council to have the site 'developer ready' by June 2009.

"This position paper describes how Caloundra South will be shaped in line with this council's commitment to being the most sustainable region (vibrant, green, diverse) in Australia."

Councillor Green said that the Caloundra South Position Paper will be implemented through the draft Structure Plan, both of which were submitted to the State on Monday 29 June 2009, making Caloundra South Council's third greenfield area (including Maroochydore and Palmview) to meet the State's June 30 deadline.

The 2360ha Caloundra South site is located south of the established Caloundra urban area, bordering the Bruce Highway and north of Bells Creek Road.

Social Strategy Portfolio Councillor, Anne Grosskruetz, whose Division 1 also includes Caloundra South, said the position paper identified a huge range of benefits to the region based on the achievement of a range of agree outcomes.

"The Caloundra South Position Paper requires the new community to provide for affordable living including a range of housing options and affordable housing choices for its residents," Cr Grosskreutz said.

"It also offers employment opportunities, identifies an integrated transport system and fantastic environmental initiatives.

"Most importantly for surrounding communities though, it also requires these initiatives to be sequenced so that this new community is sustainable and does not impact on the lifestyles, environment and infrastructure we currently enjoy."

Outcomes for Caloundra South identified in the Position Paper include:

• A world class, ecologically sustainable, transit oriented community which complements and is integrated with the existing and future communities including the Caloundra aerodrome site which is to be redeveloped;
• A dedicated, high quality, integrated public transport system;
• Extensive open space network for ecological, recreational and amenity purposes.
• Enough commercial, retail and industrial floor space to provide employment for approximately 10,000 people with services and facilities to service and contribute to a high level of self-containment of the Caloundra South community;
• Vibrant, mixed use activity centres providing a focus for the community and convenient access to a range of shopping, local employment and services and unique well designed civic spaces and facilities;
• A range of housing options and affordable housing choices to meet all life stages;
• Buildings, facilities and infrastructure to function with high levels of energy efficiency based on available leading technology and best practice design and construction;
• Excellence in ecological design practice in all aspects of development including integrated water cycle management;
• High quality telecommunication systems; and
• Infrastructure to support the community, including social and environmental infrastructure which is sequenced to be in place prior to, or in conjunction with development.

The Caloundra South Position Paper is the strategic planning document which informs the drafting of planning scheme amendments including the Caloundra South Structure Plan and related infrastructure planning documents such as the funding arrangements required for the Caloundra South Structure Plan Area.

Once completed, these documents will be forwarded to the Department of Infrastructure and Planning for consideration. Subject to the State's approval, the planning scheme amendments will then be placed on public display.

Comments and suggestions on the Caloundra South Position Paper will be accepted until close of business on Friday 31 July 2009 and will be used to assist Council in progressing the planning scheme amendments.

To find out more about the plans for Caloundra South or to view the Position Paper, refer to www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, drop into any Council library or customer service centre or visit the display in the foyer of Council's Caloundra office, at 1 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra, until Friday 31 July 2009.

To provide feedback, download a form from Council's website, or provide your comments by email to rsu@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, telephone 5420 8200 or write to:

Caloundra South Project Team
Strategic Planning Branch
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
PO Box 117
Caloundra QLD 4551

Permanent Link: Council releases its vision for Caloundra South
Publish Date: 02 Jul 09