Submission to Proposed Call In of 1641 Roy’s Road Coochin Creek

Your Address:
Date:
Deputy Premier
Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning,
Minister for Industrial Relations.
C/- Director, Improvement and Assessment Division
Planning Group
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.

Dear Minister,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the proposed call in notice for 1641 Roys Road, Coochin Creek, Music Festival Site.

In the Ministers proposed call-in notice, recognition is given that this 150-hectare site is part of a Ramsar site – a designation given to areas of international importance and one which the Commonwealth Govt has an obligation to maintain.

Sunshine Coast Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) have requested information and clarification from the developer to ensure the safety of the environment and patrons visiting the site.

The State interest is an economic one which needs to outweigh SARA’s concerns and the local government’s need to protect the environment.

State interest and economic benefit have not been proven; however, the environmental impacts are obvious and imminent.
Below is a list of difficulties which face the environment if this development proceeds.

Wetland Vulnerability and Stormwater Risks

The site is subject to coastal hazards and frequent flooding. The stormwater management plan is insufficient and fails to address how polluted runoff—especially from increased human activity—will be contained or treated before entering the sensitive Coochin Creek and Pumicestone Passage.

Bushfire Hazards
The site is in a bushfire-prone area, and the proposal lacks an adequate Bushfire Management Plan. The use of campfires by thousands of campers increases the risk of uncontrolled fires, putting at risk native fauna, flora, and human life. The plan does not meet the requirements of the State Planning Policy and the Bushfire Resilience Community guidelines.

Waste and Sanitation Issues
With a proposed daily capacity of 35,000 patrons and over 20,000 campers, reliance on portable toilets and limited water supply over multiple days presents unacceptable risks to environmental health. Waste from ablution blocks, food vendors, and greywater has not been properly addressed. The risks of overflow or improper disposal are immense, especially near ecologically sensitive waterways.

Ecological Threats to Wetlands and Fauna
Contrary to the developer’s assertion, the onsite dam supports significant biodiversity, potentially including threatened species like the Oxleyan Pygmy Perch. Adjacent swamp sclerophyll forests may also provide critical habitat for the endangered Acid Frog. These ecosystems would be placed under extreme stress by human traffic, noise, and pollution.
Impacts on Migratory Birds
The site borders a Ramsar-listed area of international importance for migratory shorebirds. Habitat disturbance, noise, lighting, and increased human presence threaten the viability of this refuge. Given the global decline in migratory bird populations, preserving this habitat is not just a local duty but a national and international responsibility.

Noise, Lighting and Air Pollution
Amplified music, crowd noise, and vehicle traffic will cause long-term displacement of local fauna. Lighting and pyrotechnics will disrupt nocturnal species. Dust and odours from unsealed roads, toilets, and campfires will degrade local air quality and further disturb the fragile ecosystem.

Flying Fox and Insect Management
No consideration has been given to the interaction between campers and nearby flying fox colonies. In addition, any chemical controls for mosquitoes and biting insects pose further risks to the surrounding natural environment.

Increased Traffic and Fauna Mortality on Roys Road
The developer underestimates traffic impacts. Increased movement of heavy vehicles, buses, and campervans—particularly at night—will significantly increase the risk of wildlife collisions. Critical habitat corridors cross Roys Road near the site, and fauna such as wallabies and koalas will be at elevated risk.

Lack of Referral Under the EPBC Act
Given the site’s ecological significance and the likely impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), this proposal should be referred to the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Sunshine Coast Council has also made this recommendation. Failure to refer raises concerns about the approval for this development.

Given these very real threats to this environmentally sensitive site we implore the minister to allow the continued assessment required by State and Local Government bodies.
We strongly feel that the call- in requested by this developer is unwarranted and will set a precedence which other developers may choose to follow – allowing them to disregard regulations which protect our environment and our future tourist industry.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Yours Sincerely

(Your name and contact details)