Two Range associations have become angered over a decision made by Maroochy Shire Council last December, where Council opted to review current planning provisions pertaining to the Montville area.

A motion by Mooloolaba's Cr Tom Hullet, amongst other provisions, saw MSC resolve to "undertake a review of the planning scheme provisions relating to the pressures of growth on both urban and rural land in and around Montville" according to minutes from the ordinary meeting December 22, 2004.

The Blackall Regional Land Usage Planning Association and the Montville Village Association fear that if MSC relaxes planning guidelines for the township, then Links Montville Country Club development will get planning consent.   They think that if the proposed development gets a green light, Montville will be lumbered with a development that is too big and which will put local shops out of business.

Moreover, the MVA is annoyed that the resolution was passed without consultation with them and using what they claim to be bogus information.   "The basis of this resolution comes from grossly incorrect information about Montville.   The details in the resolution have not been contested by our Division One Councillor and has been arrived at with no consultation with the representational body of Montville ... us," the executive of the MVA said.   "It appears that the MSC seeks to change their planning scheme to accommodate a development application that is currently under investigation by their own planning departments ... and despite promises that the majority community voice would determine the outcome of this controversial application ... the voice of the community has not been sought."

This point of view is shared by BRLUPA, whose spokesperson Cheryl Keith said in a recent media release that MSC's Councillors appeared to have reached a decision about the Links development "before their own staff or the State referral agencies have given them expert advice, and before the public have had their say."

And Ms Keith goes further, betting that the policy change was in response to Links application.   She is insinuating that planning applications are driving Council decisions, and not the other way round.

"The planning route recently adopted by MSC was very clearly in response to the application currently before Council for the highly controversial Links Montville residential and golf course development," a BRLUPA statement read.   "One could be forgiven for being cynical about the fact that the supporting arguments used by Councillor Tom Hulett, who moved the motion are exactly those used by Links in their application."

The statement continued by saying it was a "clear case of an individual development application directing the planning processes of this Shire rather than the existing planning scheme being used for that purpose."

At time of press Cr Rogerson was unable to comment on BRLUPA's or the MVA's issues due to work commitments, although he assured TRN he would comment in full in next week's issue out February 24.