🚨 UPDATE – COOCHIN CREEK TOURIST PARK: Change of Conditions Approved — Why the environment and community loses - and the developer chalks up another contentious ‘win’.

On 17 April 2026, the Queensland Planning Minister, Jarrod Bleijie MP approved major changes to already weak  conditions for the Coochin Creek Tourist Park. Despite SsC Council and community objection.

While described as a “partial approval” ”, the reality is clear:

👉 Most requested changes were approved
👉 Key safeguards have been weakened or removed
👉 The development proceeds at greater intensity and  scale — with more flexibility

The developer sought widespread changes — and the majority were granted. 

⚠️ What has changed — and why it matters

This is where the impact becomes serious.

1. 🚫 Removal of occupancy limits

The cap on guest numbers — and the requirement to keep a register — is gone.

➡️ This means:

• No clear limit on how many people can be on site
• No way to distinguish guests from day visitors
• Original environmental modelling is no longer valid 

Even a conservative increase dramatically changes impacts:
👉 Effluent loads increase
👉 Pressure on wetlands and waterways increases
👉 Traffic and amenity impacts increase

2. 🌊 Foreshore access ambiguity (Condition 16)

The condition now states access via “existing infrastructure only” — but:

❗ There is no clear restriction to public access only
❗ No explicit exclusion of private use of foreshore infrastructure

This creates a loophole where:
👉 The mangrove-lined foreshore — a sensitive riparian zone — could be accessed and used in ways not originally intended

This is particularly concerning given prior requests to utilise:
“existing jetty and watercraft launch infrastructure”

3. 🚁 Increased operational uses (helicopters, noise, access)

Changes now allow:

• Helicopter use by the “property owner” — with no clear limits
• Amplified music up to 95 dB(A) for extended hours
• No clear restrictions on frequency or intensity of use

➡️ This has implications for:

• Community amenity
• Wildlife disturbance (including migratory birds)
• Overall intensity of the development

4. 🌿 Environmental and safety safeguards weakened

Across the conditions:

• Some environmental protections have been reduced or removed
• Fire and emergency preparedness requirements have been downgraded
• Key management plans no longer require the same level of approval and oversight

👉 Most of the requested changes to the approval conditions were approved or amended.

5. 📉 No updated environmental assessment

Despite these significant changes:

❗ No new modelling or updated reports have been required
❗ No updated environmental impact assessment has been undertaken – which was lacking in the first  place

This is critical — because:
👉 The original approval was based on a very different set of conditions.

🌏 Why this matters

This development sits within a highly sensitive, interconnected system:

🌊 Pumicestone Passage
🌿 Moreton Bay Marine Park
🪶 Ramsar-listed wetlands
🐦 Critical migratory bird habitat
🌿 National Parks 

Even small changes can have cumulative, irreversible impacts.

These are not just local assets — they are national and internationally recognised ecosystems. 

⚖️ What this decision signals

Conditions can be significantly altered after approval
➡️ Without updated environmental scrutiny
➡️ Without meaningful community recourse

This raises serious concerns about:

• Environmental governance
• Transparency
• Prrotection of critical ecosystems  

🚨 Why our call for referral for assessment under the federal EPBC Act is even more essential

Given what has changed:

❗ The development is no longer operating under the conditions originally assessed
❗ Impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) have not been considered 
❗ Risks to Ramsar wetlands and migratory species remain untested under the new scenario

👉 This triggers an even clearer need for Federal assessment and oversight. 

📢 Our call

We are calling for:

➡️ Immediate referral under the EPBC Act
➡️ Independent, science-based environmental assessment
➡️ Full transparency on cumulative impacts

Because once these systems are compromised — they don’t recover.

How you can help

👉 Please spread the word about this alarming development – by email, social media and word of mouth . 
👉 Share with your networks, encourage people to sign the petition – if they havent already and share with their networks.

So many people still don't know about this issue and should!

THANK YOU!