Community engagement
Local community input is critical in planning for a place.
The Sunshine Coast community is highly interested and passionate about our region and its future. We know our region is a special place to live, work and visit and we recognise the importance of implementing a planning scheme that reflects our community's aspirations and values.
New planning scheme engagement stages
The consultation and engagement program for the new Sunshine Coast planning scheme project includes two key community consultation phases:
- Preliminary (non-statutory) consultation (completed 2022)
More than 8,000 people provided valuable feedback on a proposed vision and regional planning directions for the new planning scheme and contributed their ideas to local area planning. Feedback received has helped to inform the detailed drafting of the proposed planning scheme. Read the Preliminary consultation - summary and outcomes brochure for more information, or visit our Have your say website. - Formal (statutory) consultation on a proposed planning scheme, including details such as proposed zoning and code provisions. The timing of the formal consultation phase is yet to be confirmed. Learn more about the plan-making process and next steps in preparing a new planning scheme.
Ongoing Activities:
- project website
- project updates
- contact the team mailbox
- reference groups; and
- key stakeholder engagement activities.
The consultation and engagement approach for the new planning scheme is summarised in the figure below. The key community involvement milestones are highlighted.
* The plan making process is anticipated to take several years to complete (noting that the timing of certain steps in the process, such as state interest reviews, are not within Council's control).
Reference groups
A community reference group (CRG) and a technical reference group (TRG) have both been formed to assist with the new planning scheme project.
Community reference group
Community reference group
Council has established a Community Reference Group (CRG) to provide key input and guidance to Council about the best ways to engage with the community during preparation of the proposed new planning scheme.
Input from the CRG has informed the overarching communications and engagement strategy and the preliminary consultation program for the new Sunshine Coast planning scheme project.
Membership
The CRG consists of an independent chairperson (appointed by Council) and 10 community members representing a range of interest areas and demographics to ensure that the group is representative and inclusive of our diverse Sunshine Coast community.
Meetings
The CRG held 4 meetings in 2021 to help inform the preliminary consultation program.
More recent meetings with the CRG have been convened to help inform the upcoming formal public consultation on the proposed planning scheme.
Terms of reference
For further details on the roles and responsibilities of the CRG, please review the Community reference group Terms of reference (PDF, 557KB).
Technical reference group
Technical reference group
Council has established a technical reference group (TRG) to provide key technical input and feedback to Council about the content and workability of the new planning scheme.
Membership
The TRG membership includes practicing professionals and representatives of relevant peak bodies and industry associations and represents a diverse range of interests and disciplines, including development, planning, engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape and urban design, environment and building.
Meetings
The TRG met during 2022 and 2023. Further meetings of the TRG may be held on an as required basis.
Terms of reference
For further details on the roles and responsibilities of the TRG, please review the technical reference group terms of reference (PDF, 478KB).
Ongoing engagement activities
Ongoing engagement activities and opportunities include:
- project updates to subscribers and on the project website (sign up for updates)
- ongoing ability to contact the project team directly (by email at [email protected] or phone on 07 5420 8953).
Council's community engagement policy and framework
View further information on Council's community engagement policy and framework.
More information
For more information about the New Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme project:
Sign up for project updates and be notified about the timing of future community engagement activities.
Contact the Project Team by:
- emailing [email protected], or
- calling (07) 5420 8953.