Ministerial Statement: Palmview Structure Plan needs more transport detail

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Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
12/10/2010

Palmview Structure Plan needs more transport detail

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe has conditionally approved the Palmview Structure Plan, subject to provisions.

Mr Hinchliffe said while he was largely satisfied with the Structure Plan, the final state interest review had determined Council needed to undertake further, more detailed studies of the East-West and North-South Greenlink public transport corridor alignments.

"Changes need to be made to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council's draft Palmview Structure Plan,'' Mr Hinchliffe said.

"Under Sunshine Coast Regional Council's draft plan, the proposed East-West Greenlink public transport corridor would cut through the sensitive Birtinya Wetlands - an ecosystem home to two threatened species."

These species are the Wallum Rocket Frog and the Wallum Froglet. Mr Hinchliffe also advised Council they needed to give greater consideration to the 1600 community submissions made regarding the proposed North-South Greenlink through Sippy Downs.

"This is the second time the Department of Environmental Resource Management have advised that Council's proposal for the East-West Greenlink is unacceptable because they cut through the Birtinya Wetlands and yet Council have again submitted plans that pass through these wetlands,'' he said.

"In returning this draft plan to Council, I have also set conditions to ensure community consultation will be further considered in relation to the detailed design of the North to South Greenlink public transport corridor.

"Access to public transport is a really important issue for this community. I'm advised alternatives have been considered as part of the planning process and that these changes will not prevent the adequate provision of infrastructure for the area or halt the planning process.''

Access from Palmview to the Bruce Highway via the Pignata Road underpass and the Western Service Road has also been identified as a future possibility, following consideration of technical advice and strong community response. Such access would be subject to further investigations by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and to the upgrade of the Bruce Highway.

The Palmview community will eventually consist of up to 8000 dwellings with a significant percentage of affordable housing. The site will have a positive impact on the severe housing affordability challenges faced by the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Hinchliffe said the State Government would continue to work with Council to deliver the best results for the Master Planned Area, which will deliver dwellings as well as commercial, retail, recreational, community and state infrastructure, including land for two new primary schools and a secondary school.

More than 600 hectares of land will also be protected for ecological and rehabilitation purposes.

"Council will have adequate time to address these conditions and I look forward to an expedient response," he said.

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