Whether you’re picnicking with pals, exploring playgrounds with little ones, connecting with nature, improving your fitness or celebrating a special occasion – our Sunshine Coast parks matter to many people for many reasons.

Council invited the community to review the new Draft Sunshine Coast Recreation Parks Plan< (17MB) and give feedback on the future of our region’s parks.

This draft plan provides the framework for the delivery and management of functional and affordable recreation parks over the next 10 years.

The plan will be a roadmap for parks on the Sunshine Coast, a planning tool that supports council’s commitment to preserving spaces and parks that enhance the natural character of the Sunshine Coast’s environment.

Overview

Council uses the hierarchy of recreation park categories established in council’s Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017 to identify the function and role of each parcel of designated parkland. Each type of park in this hierarchy has a specific role to play in the broader recreation parks network.

The Draft Sunshine Coast Recreation Park Plan expands on the desired standards of service found in the Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017 to ensure that the activities and infrastructure provided for a particular park are consistent with the park’s hierarchy designation and intended function.

The draft plan provides guidance on park activity and function provision. It also describes why park activities are important, who we provide the activity spaces for, and how we plan for the fair and equitable distribution of these activities across the recreation parks network.

The expanded parks hierarchy descriptions and activity plans contained in the Draft Sunshine Coast Recreation Parks Plan incorporate key planning principles to assist in the attainment of network goals and ensure financially sustainable provision of park activities for current and future development growth.

Community engagement

The community were invited to have their say on the draft Sunshine Coast Recreation Parks Plan by completing an online survey. Survey respondents were eligible to win one of three $50 gift cards from Rebel Sport.

The community could also talk to a council officer about the project at various pop-up sessions throughout the engagement program at:

  • Beerwah Library – Tuesday 9 March, 1-5pm
  • Coolum Library – Thursday 25 March, 9am-12pm
  • Quota Park, Nambour - Wednesday 17 March, 7am-11am (rescheduled due to inclement weather)
  • Caloundra Library – Friday 19 March, 9am-1pm
  • Witta Markets – Saturday 20 March, 7-11am
  • Maroochydore Library – Tuesday 30 March, 9am-12pm (rescheduled)
  • Quota Park, Nambour - Thursday 1 April, 8am-12pm (rescheduled)
  • Maroochydore Library – Tuesday 6 April, 9am-12pm
  • Quota Park, Nambour - Monday 12 April, 8am-12pm

Submissions closed 5.00pm, Friday 16 April 2021.

Where to from here

Feedback from the community consultation was evaluated and reviewed to inform and finalise the draft plan. The Sunshine Coast Recreation Parks Plan 2021-2031 was adopted by council at the Ordinary Meeting on 9 December 2021.

Contacts

For more information, please email parksbusinesstechnical@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.