Festival site developers fight $15m council bill in court

Developers of a controversial festival site are fighting a $15.1 million infrastructure fee levied by the Sunshine Coast Council, taking the matter to the Planning and Environment Court. Coochin Creek Property, owned by the Comiskey Group, lodged an appeal this month, labeling the infrastructure charges notice "irrational" and unreasonable.

The Comiskey Group, known for owning several hotels in South-East Queensland, argues that the proposed Coochin Fields development will not generate the extensive demand on "trunk infrastructure" that the council's fee implies. Court documents state the levied charge is so unreasonable that no local government could have imposed such an amount, lacking a proper foundation in its calculation. The developers also contend the council's notice lacked specifics on which trunk infrastructure network would be affected and how.

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The amount of the levied charge is so unreasonable that no reasonable local government could have imposed that amount.

Queensland's Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has publicly criticized the Sunshine Coast Council's charges, calling them "outrageous." Bleijie, who called in and approved the outdoor festival event site after the council initially rejected it, stated that the state government supported the project for its eco-tourism potential. "I approved and called that project in because I wanted it to proceed, not for it to be held up in court or not proceed because of outrageous council charges," Bleijie said, emphasizing the Comiskey Group as valuable investors in Queensland.

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The calculation of the levied charge is irrational and lacks a proper foundation.

Trunk infrastructure, defined by property development expert Rachel Gallagher from Griffith University, includes essential services like transport networks, water supply, sewerage, and community facilities necessary for an area's growth. Gallagher noted that new developments typically increase demand on such infrastructure, with the extent depending on the intensity and frequency of use.

Both Sunshine Coast Council and the Comiskey Group declined to comment as the case is currently before the court. No hearing date has been set.

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I approved and called that project in because I wanted it to proceed, not for it to be held up in court or not proceed because of outrageous council charges.