TAPP is particularly interested in long-term Identified growth areas and will continue to advocate for the Sunshine Coast-Brisbane Inter-Urban Break in order to protect the health and biodiversity of the Pumicestone Passage.

The inter-Urban Break (the dotted red line) is part of the S C Council and the Moreton Bay  Council 

In line with TAPP’s objectives we will continue to advocate to ensure that future changes to land use in the Pumicestone Passage catchment area will not jeopardise the long-term future health of the Pumicestone Passage or its catchment. We will endeavour to ensure that world best practice standards  apply to any development that does occur within the catchment.

What Is the Inter-Urban break (IUB)

Often referred to as the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, the regional interurban break separates the Sunshine Coast region from the greater Brisbane area. This important and irreplaceable green space extends from the hinterland, and rural areas surrounding the iconic Glasshouse Mountains in the West, to the stunning Ramsar listed Pumicestone Passage and coastline in the east. It contributes significantly to the regions and natural environment and unique landscapes, which are the foundations of the Sunshine Coast way of life. It also has significant cultural heritage values and First Nations identity. With its close proximity to major urban centres, the regional Inter urban break is one of the southeast Queensland’s main places where people can enjoy nature and water-based recreation activities.

 

Key Facts and Benefits

  • Total of 63,000 hectares located across the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay local government areas.
  • 32,000 and 34 hectares located within the Sunshine Coast LGA.
  • Contains a nationally significant landscape of the Glasshouse Mountains and Ramsar listed Pumicestone Passage.
  • Contains protected areas such as national parks, conservation parks and environment reserves.
  • Provide habitat and bioregional corridors for native born and flora.
  • Supports diverse ecosystems while generating vital ecosystem services.
  • Provides much needed “green relief” from the built environment.
  • Includes productive farmlands and rural townships.
  • Includes state forests, mostly managed for timber production (native and exotic).
  • Include significant cultural heritage places, and landscapes important to our First Nations people.
  • Provides opportunities for local agricultural production and forestry, increasing food security and local employment.
  • Offers unique tourism opportunities to contribute to the region’s natural attractions.

What is Needed and Why

The IUB is threatened by uses and impacts which are incompatible with and would destroy its outstanding values and benefits.

With the Sunshine Coast growing population expected to reach just over 500,000 by 2041, the region needs to secure major green spaces to protect our natural assets. Respond to climate changes and provide open spaces for people to enjoy.

Avoiding the creation of new Urban Development areas in major regional green spaces, such as the regional interurban break, is essential to ensure these important spaces are not reduced over time.

Large areas meet the recreational need of a growing population, and significant environments are protected in perpetuity in recognition of their value and contribution to the region’s identity and liveability.

As the overarching planning instrument for the SEQ and our Northern subregion, the SCQ Regional Plan must provide this statutory protection. This would support the current and new Sunshine Coast planning scheme by locking in conservation outcomes, protection and enhancement of bioregional and wildlife corridors and enable long term planning or uses and activities compatible with the IUB’s significant values.

Conurbation – What is it??

  • It has happened in many places around the world and the result isn’t good. It is when a large city and surrounding towns eventually merged to create a sprawling metropolis.’
  • Southeast QLD. could have 6 million people by 2040. Will it happen here? Will there be an urban sprawl from Noosa to Coolangatta?
  • Sometimes the geography of that region is such that conurbation is not possible. Sydney can’t join to Wollongong because the terrain is too rugged and luckily the Royal National Park is also between the two. This type of restraint does not exist between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
  • The Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regional councils want a break between the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture with a natural green space and interurban break.
  • The state government has consistently dragged its feet in deciding their limits to the urban spread and has yet to decide where it is break should be.
  • The housing crisis is resulting in a lot of pressure to open up land for development.

The Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay Regional Councils have devised a Recreation Plan for the Inter-Urban Break which is explained in the link below.

9.3 Inter Urban break Outdoor Recreation Plan