We are seeking that Sunshine Coast Council REFUSE development application MCU24/0160 for a new Water Park Tourist Attraction at Aussie World. 

The local community is very concerned about the impact that a new Water Park development at Aussie World will have on residents in the Palmview Forest estate adjoining the development site.

The following matters are of particular concern to the community:

• The addition of the water park would more than double the size of Aussie World.
• The proposal includes 25.5 metre high water slide structures with adjoining stairwell towers. This is equivalent to an 8 storey building.
• The 2 storey buildings proposed have considerable bulk and do not align with the character of the rural residential area or the existing Aussie World shed-type buildings.
• Substantial vegetation clearing would need to be undertaken north of Aussie World to accommodate the water park. Anyone with views to the east would see waterslides rather than treetops.
• The clearing of Koala Habitat vegetation required to build the water park would have a significant impact on the local ecosystem and wildlife.
• Whilst a tree buffer is proposed to be retained between the water park and the estate, the waterslides and towers appear to exceed the height of the trees. Further, for those with higher vantage points, the waterslides would be visible over the trees regardless.
• The tree buffer is not provided in some areas adjoining the estate and would take time to establish new trees.
• A 2 level car park is proposed to be built along Frizzo Road which would more than double the parking currently provided for Aussie World, suggesting a significant increase in patronage.
• It is expected that Frizzo Road will become extremely busy, particularly on weekends and during school holiday, impacting traffic flows in the area. Frizzo Road is a single lane road that is not equipped to handle large traffic volumes.
• An acoustic report was provided by the developer for the application. The noise thresholds expected from the waterpark exceed those of Aussie World currently and therefore exceed the noise thresholds that residents agreed to when purchasing land in the estate.
• Properties along Glasswing, Applegum and the lower side of Palmview Forest Drive would be the most impacted by Noise however all properties are expected to have increased noise nuisance, especially those uphill from Aussie World.  
• The proposal would more than double the onsite effluent disposal on the site, and with it would come odour issues for nearby residents. The water park should be located on a property with access to sewer and water infrastructure.
• The park seeks to operate at night time, which would result in noise impacts continuing later in the day, especially during summer, and light glare.

Overall, the water park would be more appropriately located away from residential areas and on a site with access to sewer and water services that is already cleared of vegetation/ecological values.

For the reasons above, we ask Council to REFUSE development application MCU24/0160.