Community called on to have their say on Airport North Master Plan
Vanessa Hall
Editor
PLANS are afoot to develop a 34-hectare site within the Sunshine Coast Airport precinct, which includes the former runway and community consultation is now open.
Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) state that the Airport North Precinct Master Plan will give the former runway a new purpose by way of developing the land with a mix of residential, tourism and civic amenities.
Located in a Priority Development Area, the airport north site will be assessed by the state government within Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and not by Sunshine Coast Council, and community consultation is open until December 3.
Marcoola locals and Sunshine Coast Council Division 8 Councillor Taylor Bunnag have been vocal opponents of the proposal from the outset.
Cr Bunnag did not mince his words, stating, “The proposed airport plan risks destroying our local character.”
“The northern precinct proposal… paves the way for a potential 10-storey resort complex and hotel, hundreds of residential dwellings, bars, and significantly increased retail footprint. This proposal does not have my support for several reasons,” Cr Bunnag stated.
The Councillor listed community pushback to past high-rise development and losing the coastal charm of the region as drivers for his opposition.
“This proposal fundamentally risks undoing what makes this part of the coast special, which generations have fought to protect.”
Marcoola Community Group President Susie Chapman expressed similar views, with residential development on the site of concern.
“Previous planning discussions largely focused on aviation, commercial and employment-generating uses associated with airport growth.
“The introduction of residential accommodation, retirement living, hotels, resorts and tourism-focused development fundamentally changes the nature, scale and intensity of the proposal.”
Ms Chapman firmly stated that the Marcoola community could not support the intended proposed development.
“Marcoola community members are unanimous in voicing a very strong objection to the new proposal which represents a significant departure from what many reasonably understood to be the intended future use of the Airport North precinct.”
Sunshine Coast Airport have countered these concerns by stating that the Precinct Master Plan sets the overall vision and framework only. It does not approve individual developments and that any future development would still require a separate development application before it could proceed.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills in an earlier release stated that the airport had provided the draft Airport North Precinct Master Plan to EDQ for preliminary review.
No further update from SCA or Mr Mills was made available to the Advertiser.
Economic Development Queensland is now seeking feedback on the proposed Airport North Precinct Master Plan. Submissions to EDQ can be made from 5 November to 3 December 2026 and are best made in writing.
Email: developmentservices@edq.qld.gov.au
Post: EDQ Development Services, Economic Development Queensland, GPO Box 2202, Brisbane Qld 4001.
Please quote application number DEV-2026-SCA-5330
Community Forum
A community forum will be held on Thursday, November 19, from 7 pm at Surfair, Marcoola. This will be hosted by Cr Bunnag and residents’ groups in the local area.
