Plans for a 150-hectare festival site that could host up to 35,000 patrons a day have been formally lodged with Sunshine Coast Council.
The site, located about 6km east of the Bruce Highway at Coochin Creek, south of Caloundra, is currently operating as turf and strawberry farms. But they could be transformed into the largest outdoor event site in Australia and a major tourism and economic driver for the Sunshine Coast.
Known as Coochin Fields, the site would be able to host six events annually with a maximum of 35,000 patrons per day.
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The proposal was submitted by the Comiskey Group, known for the Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels, as well as Sunshine Coast venues The Doonan and now the Imperial Hotel at Eumundi.
Comiskey Group director Rob Comiskey said the site, off Roys Road, could cater to different types of events.
“We’ve gone for six events or festivals in a year, so that would be anything from a camping and caravan show that goes for five or six days, or it can be a music festival that goes over three days, or there can be a single big act, like Paul McCartney comes to town and wants to do a one-off show, you could do that there as well,” he said.
In a planning report submitted to council by Murray and Associates on behalf of the Comiskey Group, it says that while most of the structures for Coochin Fields would only be in place during event days, some permanent structures would be implemented.
These include an 80m x 65m multi-purpose roof structure, a 2600sqm administration building, a 300sqm camping administration building and two 1000sqm storage sheds.
The site would have three distinct uses: the event site itself plus areas for parking and camping. There would be allowance for more than 5000 on-site parking spaces.
Mr Comiskey said the proposal would bring massive benefits to the region.
“The economic generation is huge: 180,000 bed nights into the Sunshine Coast per year, 550 full-time people equivalent on and off the site, the equivalent of bringing six State of Origins to the Sunshine Coast a year,” he said.
“There’s really nothing in South-East Queensland like this when you have a look at it. You’ve got Splendour in the Grass, you’ve got Bluesfest, in northern NSW – their catchment is South-East Queensland.
“So with this, okay you’ve got Woodford, but that’s not a dedicated space, it just does one festival a year. This (Coochin Fields) does events but also festivals and it’s a dedicated space.
“We’ve seen what happens when you do it on sporting fields and so forth, when it rains and so on it’s really not suitable.
“It’s the only one in South-East Queensland and when we talk to promoters from all around the world and also in Australia, everyone’s very excited and very keen to see what they can use it for.”
The planning report says an economic impact assessment for the proposed development, prepared by Lucid Economics, found it could have substantial annual benefits for the region including attracting 69,467 visitors and $95.1m in visitor expenditure.
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce CEO Brady Sullivan threw his support behind the proposal.
“Coochin Fields is set to be a game-changer for the Sunshine Coast, propelling it onto the national stage as a leader in music and culture,” he said.
“It will be a vital milestone towards achieving the Queensland Government’s Towards 2032 tourism target of $44 billion in annual overnight visitor expenditure.
“As one of the region’s crown jewels, it will not only generate a thriving tourism economy but will also improve the Sunshine Coast’s liveability offering, attracting more young talent to support our region’s growing workforce needs.”
Related story: Strawberry fields to become Coachella-style precinct
The planning report says the proposal includes widening sections of Roys Road and upgrading a single-lane bridge to two lanes to improve access. These would be funded by the Comiskey Group.
Temporary traffic control would be needed at the Roys Road/Bruce Highway ramps and at Roys Road/Bells Creek Road to manage traffic during peak periods. Particular emphasis would be on minimising queues onto the Bruce Highway.
Fencing of the site boundaries would be needed to stop unticketed access. Festivals would also require a Flood Emergency Management Plan.
The report notes there are 23 residences in a 5km radius of the site, which is within the Regional Inter-Urban Break.
The application, which is for a Development Permit for Material Change of Use to establish Outdoor Sport and Recreation, will also require referral to the State Assessment and Referral Agency.
Mr Comiskey said he was hoping to have the first festival there in 2025.
“It hasn’t been something we just jotted down and played with. We’ve looked not even in Australia but globally about the best designs,” he said.
“We’ve also consulted not only with council but also state government, community groups, environmental groups. One thing about this is not only will it be good for tourism and economics on the Sunshine Coast – the numbers are huge regarding that side – but we’ve also made sure that it’s sustainable and environmentally friendly as well.”
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