Plan Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Prepares for a New Era with Release of Landmark Town Plan

The Sunshine Coast has entered a pivotal new chapter with the release of the region’s first Town Plan since 2014 – ushering in a framework that will guide growth, infrastructure, and community priorities for the next decade.

Unveiled against the backdrop of unprecedented population growth and record levels of investment, the Town Plan arrives as the region benefits from a $9–$10 billion infrastructure pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. At the same time, it faces well-documented challenges such as rising construction costs, limited housing supply, and complex planning pathways.

While headline changes – such as increased building heights and higher densities, offer exciting new possibilities for development, the detail raises critical concerns. The plan does make progress in preparing the region for forecast growth, but it falls short in two key areas: reducing red tape and improving affordability. Without bold reform, supply and access to housing will remain constrained.

Among the most pressing issues is the doubling of assessment criteria for planning applications. These additional compliance layers will inevitably extend both application and approval timelines, driving up costs for building and development that will ultimately be at the cost of homebuyers.

Equally concerning is Council’s new diversity requirements for housing. For example, a development focused on delivering affordable two-bedroom apartments must now allocate 40% of its product to alternate configurations (i.e. 1 or 3 bedroom options). While well-intentioned, this policy risks rendering projects financially unviable and placing many homes out of reach for the very buyers affordability measures are designed to support.

“It is essential that our Councillors now show strong leadership for our community to ensure a planning scheme is adopted that delivers the housing and employment required for our growing population,” said Andrew Stevens, Director at Project Urban.

The recently held Plan Sunshine Coast event, hosted at Maroochydore RSL, brought together leading voices in property, planning, and economics – including Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee, Project Urban Director Andrew Stevens, and Walker Corporation Senior Development Manager Chris Graham. Their presentations underscored both the scale of opportunity and the importance of collaboration between the private sector, local government, and community leaders.

“We are at a defining moment for the Sunshine Coast. Our region is one of the fastest-growing in Australia, yet it faces some of the most complex planning and housing challenges in its history. This new Town Plan gives us the framework – but it is our responsibility as a community to engage with it, shape it, and ensure it delivers for the next generation,” said Dan Sowden, Principal at Ray White Maroochydore.

The Plan Sunshine Coast presentation highlighted the need for a collective voice, urging the business community and residents to actively contribute to the consultation process. While the Town Plan provides a vision, its success will depend on clear communication, aligned decision-making, and the courage to balance growth with liveability.

Submissions on the Town Plan are now open via Council’s Have Your Say portal.