The Sandpit re Bowls Club Site Submission · MCU13/0092

Objection to the Proposed Commercial Development in Peregian Beach’s Open Space Recreation zoned area

To The Chief Executive Officer,  Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Locked Bag 72, Sunshine Coast Mail Centre, QLD 4560
File No: MCU13/0092.   Applicant: Multispan Australia
Address of Land: 5‐7 Rufous Street, Peregian Beach.
Proposal: Integrated shopping complex development

I am the operator of The Sandpit Beach Volleyball, which ran successfully on the Peregian Bowls Club site from 2008.

I would like to see the Bowls Club site remain as a recreation area because there is clearly a demand for organised and casual sporting activities in Peregian Beach.  Unfortunately this development seeks to change the zoning set out in the Noosa Plan 2006 (as well as the draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2012) - that is why I am against it.

Sport boosts a community’s need to keep healthy and connected, no matter what the age. The response I had to my business clearly demonstrates demand from the Peregian community for an organised outdoor-sport like volleyball, and that clubs and schools from other areas are looking for facilities to share too.  These groups usually arrive by bus, so this helps alleviate potential parking problems and traffic issues.

To give you an idea of the support I had, here’s the range of volleyball competitions The Sandpit Beach Volleyball ran at Peregian Beach:
Nightly social comps which attracted 160 players per week (and this number was growing)
Three schools’ P.E and Rec classes (two classes on average per week)
Coolum Netball fun days/end of season comps
Sunshine Coast Netball Club’s cross training
Nambour High school’s Yearly Extreme Beach Volleyball Outing

We held three state tour events in Peregian Beach over the four years (with 120 players in each) and the Queensland Junior championships in 2011.
When we held the South East Queensland Interclub competition, we held the after-party for 126 players and their friends and family, at the Peregian Surf Club.  There’s great potential to support local businesses through events like this!

As I had taken the financial risk and inputted approximately $65000 of my own money in the redevelopment of the area to help out and support sport in the Peregian area, I was very keen to continue my business at the premises and The Sandpit Beach Volleyball had become a popular and well-recognised visual recreation activity in Peregian Beach.  But sadly, I was advised by the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club to vacate the premises and by no means did I abandon the premise as some parties have claimed, in October 2012 and as such loss possibly the best beach volleyball facility in Queensland apart from the multi-million dollar Sandstorm venue in Brisbane.

Outdoor volleyball (and other sports) attracts a wide range of people - social players, families. Outdoor sporting activities and recreation like this give everyone a chance to be involved, regardless of age and skill level, making these activities is so conducive to community wellbeing.
That’s exactly what council are after when they say; “The Overall Outcomes for the Open Space Recreation Zone seek the site be used to contribute to the desired lifestyle of residents by offering a variety of passive and active recreational experiences that are conducive to community interaction and wellbeing.”

If I can help people stay active and run a great business at the same time, this will save us all in the long run in terms of health costs and other services.  That’s why I’m all for encouraging more families into sport and recreation!

Submitter’s Full Name: Jeff Bampton
Address: Unit 11 8 Mari Street Alexandra Headlands

Date of Submission: 24 August 2013