Calls are being made for input on a proposed project that could potentially include more than 500 homes in a growing suburb.
The proposed Parklakes Central project at Bli Bli is being undertaken by long-term Sunshine Coast locals Peter Shadforth and Robert Flipp, who are the developers of the award-winning Parklakes 1 and Parklakes 2.
After plans for the 51 hectares of rural land were revealed last year, Sunshine Coast Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency requested further information on a range of 20 issues related to the development, including cultural heritage protection, flood risks and traffic impacts.
Earlier this month, the developers submitted a raft of documents in response and are now seeking that council progress assessment of the development application.
The applicants, Focus Estates and One Man Bli Bli, have also commenced public notifications steps, with the public able to have their say on the plans until June 30.
The proposal has been designed to facilitate low density, medium density and options for retirement village and over-55 resorts, and is supported by a small retail and commercial hub.
A spokesperson for consulting engineers Covey Associates said the application was to change the zoning of the land for a master-planned community.
“No detailed design has been done at this stage but preliminary layouts undertaken for the purpose of specialist studies indicate that there will be approximately 450 homes depending on if an area of the development site is used for low-density residential or a retirement village. The medium-density zone can cater for approximately 70 homes,” they said.
“At this stage there is no confirmed number of dwellings as detailed design has not been undertaken.”
In a letter to council by Covey Associates on behalf of the developers, it outlines a number of changes made to the initial 2022 development application.
“These changes have considered early independent community consultation on relevant community matters, specifically traffic and flooding,” it says.
It says an active transport and road safety specialist was engaged to assess the safety of the state-controlled Bli Bli Road, which had a daily traffic volume of 20,902 vehicles.
“A speed review of the road network between the roundabout at Bli Bli Road and David Low Way and the roundabout with Bli Bli Road and Willis Road has also been undertaken with a request to reduce the speed limit at this section submitted to DTMR (the Department of Transport and Main Roads) as a result,” the letter says.
The engineer’s recommendation was to reduce the section from 60km/h to 50km/h.
Other proposed road changes would include adding access to the development from the existing Parklakes Drive/Yandina Bli Bli Road/Thomas Road roundabout, and changing the current intersection of Thomas Road and Samantha Drive (West) to a four-way roundabout to also provide access to the development.
Interactive slider: Aerial imagery of the Parklakes 1 and 2 developments from 2010 to 2023. Aerial imagery by Nearmap
Mr Flipp said that after attending recent community engagement meetings he had a new understanding of how important it was for the project to include community-led safety improvements.
“We’ve listened to this feedback as well as the recommendations of a highly regarded traffic management expert like Prue Oswin and ensured these safety measures were part of the proposal now put before Sunshine Coast Council,” he said.
Among the developers’ proposals is a dedicated bike path that will link into the existing network and provide an off-road network from Parklakes Drive to Bli Bli Village. Raised crossings – the safest options as per the Main Roads guidelines – would also be provided.
Ms Oswin, from Sidelines Traffic, has undertaken numerous independent active transport safety studies within Bli Bli over the past few years and says the township has been gifted the opportunity to provide new safe connections across the community.
“Ongoing feedback from local families, schools as well as retirees has highlighted for a long period of time the importance of being able to safely access key destinations such as schools, shops and entertainment venues by walking, riding a bike or on a mobility scooter,” she said.
“An example of this is one resident who lives directly across the road from the major shopping centre and said they have to drive their vehicle rather than walk as they do not feel safe crossing the current road network.
“So a developer providing wider community safety upgrades than necessary for their development provides a unique opportunity for Bli Bli after many years of the community seeking such outcomes.”
Mr Flipp said he was excited to potentially bring the Parklakes Central development to fruition.
“Parklakes Central is currently under the last stages of council’s assessment process and upon approval we look forward to creating another high-quality master-planned development,” he said.
Community members can see more about the proposal at council’s website.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
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