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The HAAPOLA Act commenced in July 2024. The Act results in amendments to the Planning Act 2016 including:

The State Government has issued an information request to the Sunshine Coast Council which identifies significant concerns with the drafting of the new Planning Scheme. ​

Located on the Bruce Highway at Glasshouse Mountains, the Surf Parks Australia’s Surf Farm project will feature cutting-edge wave technology. Surfers of varying abilities will now have the chance to enjoy the excitement of surfing flawless waves in a secure and monitored setting. The Surf Farm will provide multiple benefits to the Sunshine Coast economy,…

Project Urban obtained planning approvals for Citimax’s Ascend development on Moreton Parade, Kings Beach and we’re excited to see construction commence. Designed by Kearney Architecture, Ascend comprises 24 apartments over 7 storeys.

Project Urban has been pleased to provide planning services for Graya’s first ever development on the Sunshine Coast. The project, known as Lume is a five-storey single dwelling on River Esplanade, Mooloolaba.

We are excited to see that construction has commenced on Habitat’s St Clair apartments at Birtinya. Designed by K Architecture, St Clair comprises two, 8 storey residential towers containing 200 apartments. St Clair also includes a resort style pool, exclusive parklands, a resident’s dining room and roof top terrace. Project Urban provided town planning services…

Yesterday, I was privileged to present at the UDIA’s Sunshine Coast event.  As Chair of UDIA’s Planning Scheme Committee, I am acutely aware of the housing affordability crisis on the Sunshine Coast and the urgent action required to address it. Sunshine Coast’s population is expected to grow from 346,600 in 2021 to 565,700 in 2046,…

Verre Caloundra is positioned at the western gateway to the CBD and fronts Bulcock Street. The development comprises 70 apartments and commercial floorspace addressing Bulcock Street. It includes a pedestrian link through to Omrah Avenue.

Sunshine Coast Council is undertaking preliminary community consultation to assist with preparation of a new planning scheme.  Written submissions can be made up until 31 March 2022.

The current SEQ Regional Plan came into effect in 2017. Since that time, the Sunshine Coast has experienced unparalleled levels of growth. There are significant concerns about the ability to adequately cater for the projected increase in population given the stated policy objective of the regional plan is to provide 15 years of supply in…

Last year, amendments were made to the Planning Act 2016 to allow the Minister to extend or suspend periods under the Act because of the impact of COVID-19. On 1 September 2021, the Minister extended timeframes for approved development by a further SIX months.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been a wonderful spectacle. Australia has had one of its best ever Olympic performances with 17 gold medals matching Australia’s performance at the Athens 2004 Olympics. We can now look forward to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 and all of the opportunities that this will create for our industry.  Here…

Sunshine Coast Council will increase their application and referral fees from July 1, 2021. We anticipate this year’s increase to be between 2% and 2.5% on typical development applications.

The Sunshine Coast Council is proposing a further amendment to the planning scheme. This amendment primarily affects land at Bli Bli, Chevallum, Forest Glen, Landsborough and Yandina. 

The Queensland Government has introduced an amendment to the Planning Regulation 2017 which seeks to ensure that new residential subdivisions are designed to provide convenient and comfortable walking environments.

Earlier this year, amendments were made to the Planning Act 2016 to allow the Minister to extend or suspend periods under the Act because of the impact of COVID-19. On 8 July, the Minister extended timeframes for approved development by SIX months.

Mayor Mark Jamieson has released a statement today outlining a business support package which includes provisions for the Sunshine Coast development industry. Among the thirteen items listed, a key benefit relates to infrastructure charges which can be deferred for three years with no interest payments in the first 12 months. We are fully supportive of these measures,…

The Sunshine Coast Council has adopted further amendments to the Sunshine Coast planning scheme.  These amendments took effect on 11 November 2019. 

Brisbane City Council has announced changes in Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No. 8) 2019, effective from July 1, 2019. Here’s a quick summary of the key changes Council’s infrastructure charges are in alignment with the Planning Regulation 2017 Council has clarified how the current market value of required land is to be calculated There is an…

With the end of the financial year just weeks away, most Councils will increase their application and referral fees and infrastructure charges from July 1. We anticipate an increase of around 2% on typical development applications. Should you require further explanation or assistance please contact us at Project Urban on 07 5443 2844.

This month, we lodged a DA for an important housing project in North Lakes. Our client, Youngcare, is a not-for-profit organisation that provides accommodation support for young Queenslanders with high-care needs. We feel genuinely privileged to be involved in a project like this.  A project that will improve the lives of young members of our…

Every year heralds change in one form or another and 2017 will be no different. In the coming months, there are a number of significant matters that will need your attention, including changes to the Planning Act. A New SEQ Regional Plan Submissions on the State Government’s new regional plan have now closed and on…

The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP) has been released for public comment, adding an extra 8,200 hectares of greenfield land to the urban footprint since the 2009 version of the Regional Plan.  There’s also a greater emphasis on infill development, with the target increasing to 60% (up from 50% in the 2009 version).

Last week’s turning of the sod at Harmony Palmview was more than just another media opportunity for a new residential development. Andrew Stevens, Managing Director at Project Urban says it’s the culmination of 10 years of hard work and planning to create a new residential community for up to 12,000 Sunshine Coast residents.

The Environmental Impact Statement for the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project has been approved, paving the way for the construction and operation of a new runway, a revised apron and an expanded passenger terminal. The airport expansion will allow more flights, including international flights, providing national and global connections to more destinations across Australia, Asia…

The proposed International Submarine Broadband connection will provide a digital connection between Sunshine Coast and the leading markets of Asia and the United States. The project could generate an additional $700 million for the Sunshine Coast economy every year, and contribute a staggering $1.1 billion to the State’s annual economy (independent modelling forecasts by the…

I’m calling time on our obsession with parking. Building more parking spaces isn’t the solution, it’s the problem.

An important step towards the delivery of Maroochydore’s new City Centre has been taken with the lodgement of a subdivision application and the first four Precinct Plans for approval.