Sunshine Coast Proposed Planning Scheme: Implications for the Blackall Range

Community leaders welcome opportunities – but raise concerns about quarry transparency

The Sunshine Coast Council has released its proposed new planning scheme – a comprehensive framework designed to guide future development and land use across the region. For residents of the Blackall Range, understanding this evolving “rulebook” is crucial, as it outlines provisions for zoning, building heights, and design standards. The scheme aims to ensure a balanced allocation of land for housing, green space, community facilities, and small business, while also enhancing climate resilience.

This article explores the proposed scheme’s specific implications for the Blackall Range – Maleny Local Plan Area (LPA), alongside responses from local community associations.

Defining the Blackall Range – Maleny Local Plan Area (LPA)

Known for its rural scenic beauty, diverse ecology, and strong village identities, the region supports nature-based tourism, agri-tourism, and local food production. The planning scheme recognises these values and seeks to preserve them.

LPA Blackall Range Maleny (PDF)

A Vision for the Region’s Unique Character

The proposed scheme presents a clear vision for the area, one that preserves the distinctive rural and ecological character of the Range. Maleny is identified as the key township, supported by the smaller villages of Montville and Mapleton, set among agricultural land, remnant vegetation, and nature reserves.

Key aspirations include:

• Maleny: Retaining its heritage main street and community vibrancy, while continuing to attract visitors with its blend of boutiques, galleries, cafes, and rural services.
• Montville: Remaining a key tourist destination, with its signature mix of European and traditional Australian heritage buildings lining a leafy village street.
• Mapleton: Maintaining its role as a local service centre, focused on convenience retail and community needs.

In response to the planning scheme’s release, Montville Village Association President Wayne Parcell welcomed the opportunity for community involvement:

“The community welcomes this opportunity to see what the future could look like for Montville and the surrounding area. Importantly though, our community has already been actively engaged through a community survey and forum about the future of Montville. Our community is interested, engaged and enthusiastic to create a vision for the future that resonates with our values and aspirations, beyond the plans that might come out of centralised planning authorities.”

Mr Parcell highlighted the success of the Montville’s Future Community Forum held on 29 June 2025, where 55 participants discussed village identity, youth engagement, liveability, and needed infrastructure:

“The Forum was well attended by a broad range of people, including younger residents, with local representatives Andrew Wallace and Andrew Powell actively participating and requesting updates on outcomes. Participants emphasised the need for a community hub, enhanced village identity, cooperative enterprises, youth programs, improved public transport, more community events, and better facilities such as a community pub and arts centre focused on artisan crafts.”

Managing Growth and Preserving Community Identity

Due to environmental constraints, agricultural value, and bushfire risks, the LPA is expected to absorb only a small proportion of the Sunshine Coast’s projected population growth. Key provisions seek to preserve community character and amenity, such as:

• Maintaining low-density residential zoning with large lot sizes.
• Preserving views and environmental corridors.
• Strengthening protections for heritage and local character areas.
• Retaining height limits at two storeys / 8.5 metres, except in Maleny Town Centre, which increases to 10 metres.

Max Standage, President of the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA), noted broad support for these measures:

“The draft reflects most of the positive elements of the previous plan, now extended to Maleny and across the Maleny Plateau, including areas such as Dulong, Kureelpa, and the western parts of Mapleton. We welcome the retention of existing building height and minimum lot size provisions, as well as strengthened scenic protections and new limits on the scale and intensity of tourist accommodation.”

Mr Standage added that the planning scheme’s continuation of protections for scenic views and ecological areas—particularly through overlays like the Scenic Amenity Overlay and the Agricultural Land Overlay—was critical to the community’s values and lifestyle.

Managing Population Growth (PDF)

Urban Expansion Land Supply(PDF)

The ‘Green Frame’ – Safeguarding Natural Heritage

A major strategic concept of the new scheme is the “green frame”: an interconnected system of natural and rural landscapes surrounding hinterland and coastal communities. These areas form the environmental and cultural backbone of the region and help maintain separation between distinct settlements.

The green frame helps protect:

• The Regional Inter-Urban Break south of the Sunshine Coast.
• Sub-regional inter-urban buffers (e.g., between Montville and Palmwoods).
• The Baroon and Mary River catchments.
• Coastal greenspace and headlands.

Green Frame (PDF)

Extractive Industries – A Lingering Concern

The scheme acknowledges the significance of extractive resource areas within the green frame, including long-established operations such as the Dulong Quarry. However, MADCA President Max Standage raised ongoing concerns about the lack of transparency and consistency in planning processes for extractive industries:

“The treatment of the extractive industry sector remains unchanged. Council-run quarries such as Dulong and Image Flat remain listed as Community Facilities and accepted development, which means no public consultation is required for changes or expansions. Meanwhile, private quarries in the Rural Zone must go through an impact assessment and public consultation. This double standard is unfair and undermines trust—there needs to be a level playing field.”

This concern echoes longstanding community unease about the lack of oversight and cumulative environmental impact of quarry operations near residential and agricultural areas.

Opportunities for Engagement

Council is actively encouraging community participation in shaping the final scheme. Residents can:

• Explore the ePlan to check zoning and overlays affecting their property.
• Attend an information session and speak with Council planners.
• Review targeted information sheets on key topics such as growth management, tourism, and environmental protection.
• Provide a formal submission by Friday, 19 September 2025.

Council contact:

• Email: newplanningscheme@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
• Phone: (07) 5409 0570
• Website: https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/newplanningscheme

How to write a submission

Conclusion

The Sunshine Coast’s proposed planning scheme marks an important milestone in shaping the region’s future. For the Blackall Range, it presents an opportunity to reinforce cherished rural values, protect the environment, and ensure community voices are embedded in the long-term vision. Community groups such as the MADCA and MVA have already demonstrated strong civic leadership—and their engagement will be crucial in the months ahead.

As Wayne Parcell concluded, “The Forum inspired immediate action, with attendees initiating a workshop to explore new ideas—demonstrating the community’s willingness to actively contribute. The planning scheme will undoubtedly attract the same level of energy and engagement.”

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information contained within for any purpose.