The Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) which supports sensible, affordable housing in the district, has sent a formal letter to Sunshine Coast Council expressing its serious concerns that the applicant for Stage 2 of the Lilyponds Tourist Park development has failed to adequately address deficiencies identified during the compulsory community consultation period in July 2025.
MADCA, along with 37 other organisations and residents, made submissions during the consultation period pointing to major compliance issues with the proposed development under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme. The application is impact assessable due to the significant change of use involved in converting the existing caravan park into a relocatable home park with 36 homes.
Key Areas of Non-Compliance
The MADCA submission outlined multiple areas where MADCA believe the proposed development remains non-compliant with planning requirements, including:
Wastewater Treatment and Disposal: The most contentious issue remains, with the proposal to increase pump-out of sewage to more than 70,000 litres per week (3 to 7 truckloads), rather than treating all effluent on-site as originally indicated by Council when approving Stage 1. MADCA argues this is the “21st Century version of the night cart” and inappropriate for new residential developments in Mapleton.
Occupancy Calculations: The applicant proposes limiting permanent occupants to 2 per dwelling through a Development Permit Condition, using consumption figures of 150L/person/day. MADCA questions the enforceability of this condition and notes it contradicts Australian Standard AS/NZS 1547, which requires 3 Equivalent Persons be calculated for 2-bedroom dwellings, meaning daily effluent volumes would be 50% higher than proposed.
Water Supply: Analysis of recent rainfall patterns shows that the proposed water storage (household tanks 1,000L to 3,000L per house and central storage of 54,000L) is inadequate for extended dry periods. Historical data shows periods of 30-37 days without rain are not uncommon in Mapleton, which would exhaust the available rain water supply.
Stormwater Management: The proposed detention basin is considered too small to manage moderate to severe rainfall events. With approximately 1 hectare of hard surfaces and a basin capacity of only 560 cubic metres, overflow into Mapleton Lilyponds Park and adjoining properties is likely.
Recreational Space: Only half the required recreational open space (20% of total site area) has been provided, with the applicant arguing that nearby Mapleton Lilyponds Park compensates for this shortfall.
The Reserve Area Requirement
MADCA has raised a critical issue that has not been addressed by either the developer or Council: Australian Standard AS/NZS 1547 requires a 100% reserve area for sewage land application areas. This means an equal-sized secondary disposal area must be identified and protected from development, available if the primary area fails over time. Using the consultant’s own figures, 1,900 square metres would be required to treat all sewage on-site, plus an additional 1,900 square metres in reserve.
Council’s Original Position
MADCA’s letter highlights that in Council’s Statement of Reasons for approving Stage 1 (MCU21/0047.01 & OPW21/0102), Council clearly stated that effluent disposal from the cabins “will be directed to 2 existing holding tanks adjacent to the new development and be subsequently treated under the existing State Government environmental authority for advanced secondary treatment.”
“Council expects that all effluent from Stage 1 will be treated by an on-site advanced secondary treatment system,” (Council website). “It is reasonable to suppose that Council would expect effluent from Stage 2 would also be treated on-site,” MADCA stated in its submission.
The Broader Context
MADCA Vice President Max Standage noted that surveys conducted by local community organisations in Montville, Mapleton and Flaxton have shown considerable community interest in a broader range of accommodation being provided in the region, including residential and retirement villages. “However, the community expects that proposed developments are compliant with local planning requirements contained in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme and the Blackall Range Local Plan Area,” Max said.
Max went on to say that, “the underlying problem with various proposals for residential villages on the Blackall Range has been that development proposals have not taken into account the consequences of the lack of reticulated sewage and water services across the region. This leads to development proposals that do not meet planning requirements and extended negotiations with Council to try to get approval.”
Outside of Maleny, only two sites on the Blackall Range have been rezoned for retirement/home park facilities, both in Mapleton. “MADCA is supportive of proposals that diversify housing options in Mapleton, but expects them to be substantially compliant with the planning requirements of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme and the Blackall Range Local Plan Area,” Max explained.
He pointed out that while currently some 40,000L of sewage/wastewater is removed by pump-out per week, “the current proposal seeks Council approval for a significant increase in pump-out to more than 70,000L, rather than treating all effluent on-site. There is sufficient space on the two hectare site for such processing, however the proposed residential space would have to be reduced.”
Looking Forward
Max Standage noted that MVA, MADCA and BRLUPA have jointly proposed a revised introduction in the new Blackall Range-Maleny Local Area Plan that forms part of the new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, still to be approved by the State Government. The revision “highlights the lack of reticulated services outside of Maleny, so that proponents of residential villages are better informed about the extra planning requirements for such proposals at an early stage of planning.”
Council has not yet made a decision on the Stage 2 development application, which remains under consideration by the Council’s planning department.
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