The Queensland government has recently given the green light for a significant music festival and event site in Coochin Creek, located south of Caloundra, despite considerable opposition from local environmentalists and community groups. The site extends over 150 hectares and is situated adjacent to the Pumicestone Passage, an area recognized under the Ramsar Convention as part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. This approval follows a prior sanction for a 43-hectare tourist park in the same region, indicating a growing push for developmental projects in this ecologically sensitive area.

Local environmentalists are particularly concerned about the potential impact of the festival site on the surrounding natural habitat, fearing that such developments could lead to ecological degradation in a crucial marine area. Their reactions have been vocal, emphasizing the importance of protecting local biodiversity and raising concerns that increased human activity could disrupt the delicate ecosystems of the Pumicestone Passage. Opposition is also coming from musicians who value and are committed to the preservation of local environments.

This situation underscores an ongoing debate in Australia regarding the balance between economic development and environmental conservation. While the Queensland government moves to enhance tourism and provide venues for public events, local groups argue that such initiatives must not come at the cost of significant environmental damage. The approval of the festival site reflects broader tensions between growth and green advocacy in the region, indicating a contentious path forward as development projects continue to emerge in ecologically sensitive locales.