The Sunshine Coast Council has released its draft new planning scheme—a crucial document that will guide future development and land use across our region. For communities within the Blackall Range – Maleny Local Plan Area (LPA), understanding this scheme is vital, as it shapes our cherished landscapes, village identity, and local economy.
Commenting on the newly released draft, Max Standage, President of the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA), noted that the Blackall Range – Maleny Local Plan within the scheme largely reflects the features of the previous local area plan. He observed that these provisions are now extended more broadly across Maleny, the surrounding Maleny Plateau, and areas reaching Dulong, Kureelpa, and the western edge of Mapleton.
Welcome Protections and Retained Provisions
MADCA welcomes several aspects of the proposed scheme that align with the community’s desire to preserve the unique character of the Range:
- Building Heights: Mr Standage expressed satisfaction that current building height provisions are largely retained at two storeys and 8.5 metres across the area. The only exception is in the Maleny Town Centre, where the height limit has been increased to 10 metres to align with other hinterland towns.
- Minimum Lot Sizes: The general retention of minimum lot sizes across the LPA was also welcomed, reinforcing the area’s semi-rural character and low-density living.
- Scenic Amenity and Tourism: MADCA particularly welcomes the strengthened provisions designed to protect the scenic amenity of the region and to regulate the scale and intensity of tourist accommodation. These measures are seen as crucial for maintaining the picturesque setting and low-key tourism experiences that define the Blackall Range.
Concerns Regarding Extractive Industries (Quarries)
While the planning scheme broadly reflects community expectations, MADCA has noted with concern the ongoing treatment of the extractive industry sector.
Mr Standage highlighted that Council-owned quarries, specifically Dulong and Image Flat, remain classified as Community Facilities and accepted development. This means there is no requirement for public consultation on changes or expansions to their operations—unlike private quarries in the Rural Zone, which must undergo impact assessment and public notification. “There should be a level playing field,” Mr Standage said, “given the substantial impact quarries can have on local communities.”
This concern was reinforced during a recent public presentation in Maroochydore, where Mr Standage questioned the rationale behind the unchanged classification of Council-run quarries. The response from Council’s strategic planning team was, he described, “confused and unsatisfactory.”
However, since the release of the draft scheme, significant developments have occurred in relation to the quarries. In December 2024, following sustained community advocacy, the Sunshine Coast Council formally terminated its Expressions of Interest process for outsourcing the operation of the Dulong and Image Flat quarries. The Council committed to retaining operational control and announced a six-month operational review to be completed in mid-2025.
Community groups, particularly the Hinterland Quarry Action Group (HQAG)—an initiative supported by MADCA—have played a key role in advocating for consistent planning regulation, monitoring dust, noise, water discharge, and haulage impacts, and submitting a petition with over 900 signatories calling for transparent and equitable regulation of all quarry operations.
While the planning scheme does not introduce new planning provisions specific to extractive industry sites, MADCA believes these recent developments highlight the need for greater accountability and clearer policy regarding the future of extractive industries across the region.
Your Input is Crucial
The Sunshine Coast Council is now seeking public feedback on the proposed planning scheme. This is a vital opportunity for residents of the Blackall Range to help shape the future of our communities.
You can explore the draft scheme, view maps, and make a submission by visiting the Council’s “Have Your Say” website. Submissions close on Friday, 19 September 2025.
MADCA encourages all residents to review the draft and make their voices heard—particularly on matters of community character, development scale, and environmental integrity. Together, we can ensure that the planning framework for the next generation reflects the values and aspirations of those who call the Range home.
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