Support for Blackall Ranges iconic status to be amended

Sunshine Coast Council will consider if it should persuade the State Government to amend the Blackall Range iconic place boundary after today’s Strategy and Planning Committee agreed that a review of the boundaries was needed to ensure the significance of the escarpment is retained.

While the Range was declared an iconic place under the Iconic Queensland Places Act 2008 in June, the declared area does not include most of the scenic escarpment area, which substantially contributes to local iconic values, nor does it include the Maleny area.

Regional Director of Regional Strategy and Planning, Warren Bunker, said it will now be up to the full Council at its Ordinary Meeting next week to approve the recommendation so that talks with the State Government can begin.

“The report to today’s committee starts the process for Council and the community to consider whether the escarpment and Maleny should be included and what process is required to make that happen,” Mr Bunker said.

“We understand that the Blackall Range community is already gathering a petition to support the boundary changes and that the petition will be submitted to Council. Councillor Jenny McKay had already raised the issue of the potential boundary anomaly last month.”

Division Five Councillor Jenny McKay said today’s decision to support the recommendation for consideration at next week’s Ordinary Meeting, will allow Council to decide if it wants to pursue a review of the iconic boundary with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure.

“If the Minister allows the boundaries to be reviewed we will also request that a public consultation process takes place to look at the limits of the new boundaries,’’ Cr McKay said.

“We need to allow the rest to of the community to also have their say.”

The Ordinary Meeting will be held on Thursday 2 October at Council’s Tewantin office.