Tourism and accommodation

Council regulates entertainment venues operating within the special entertainment precinct. If you are planning to have amplified music in the Nambour special entertainment precinct you may need a permit under Local Law No 1 (Administration) 2011. 

Visit the operation of an amplified music venue within a special entertainment precinct page for more information.

Council regulates accommodation (caravan) parks and camping grounds to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition and that they provide appropriate facilities. Complying with council's requirements will help provide a safe environment for your customers. 

When you need approval

The use of an area of land for accommodation in any of the following:

In accordance with Sunshine Coast Regional Council Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2011 (PDF 218KB) and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Subordinate Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2016, Accommodation Parks are listed as a prescribed activity.

Operation of accommodation parks means to operate, or permit access to or use of, on a commercial basis, 1 or more of the following:

• a place for parking and residing in caravans, including a place that provides also for complementary accommodation;
• a relocatable home park;
• a camping ground.

How to apply:

Planning

Your first step when starting any caravan park or camping ground is to check if you need a development approval. Council’s planning scheme guides how land can be used and developed. You need to apply for a Material Change of Use for a caravan park or camping ground, even in rural areas.  The following codes provide specific requirements:

• Nature and Rural Based Tourism code
• Relocatable home park and tourist park code 

Cabins and/or camping on rural properties

Rural accommodation requires a development approval for Material Change of Use before starting the business and advertising your property on camping websites like HipCamp.

Rural properties may seek approval for:

• a maximum of 20 campsites per hectare, maximum 100 sites per property
• a maximum of 2 cabins, 60m2 or less per hectare, maximum 8 cabins per property

Your accommodations must be setback 50m from neighbouring properties. You must provide minimum guest facilities and ensure waste is managed appropriately. You must also meet requirements for fire safety and accessibility. Proximity to waterways and removing vegetation are also a consideration when making your application.

Your guests may stay for a maximum 14 consecutive nights.

Building, plumbing and drainage 

All building and plumbing work is assessed and regulated under state legislation. You can view the legislation on the Queensland government website.

Building work in a caravan park and camping ground may include:

• fitting out new or renovating facilities
• building cabins and amenities
• adding a swimming pool
• installing rigid annexe to caravans
• when caravans are used for long term residential purposes.

To find out if you need building approval, you should talk to a building certifier. 

Some building work is accepted development that may not require approval under Building Regulation 2021.

A licensed plumbing or drainer must complete all regulated plumbing and drainage work. This includes permit, notifiable or minor works. For example:

• release of trade waste to sewer
• installation and maintenance of backflow prevention devices
• use of non-reticulated water supply (tank water)
• on-site sewage facilities.

Contact Unity Water for sewerage connection enquiries.

Operation of an Accommodation Park

Once you have the development approval or know it’s not required you will need to complete the Operation of Accommodation Park application (DOCX 248KB).

The application fees are indicated on the form and it includes a credit card authorisation for payment. You can email the completed form to customer.service@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au .

Alternatively you can submit the application and pay in person at one of councils offices.

Plans

Caravan parks and camping grounds must be set out in accordance with council requirements.

To assess the suitability of your premises, you are required to submit the following plans with your application:

• Layout plans detailing the intended location of all caravan sites, buildings, cabins, camping areas and access roads to a suitable scale (e.g. 1:100). Ensure your plans show:
  • size and number of each campsite and caravan site
  • site boundaries, outlines of buildings and the use of the adjoining properties
  • the position and number of all amenities (toilet, shower and laundry facilities)
  • the position of all water points and waste receptacles
  • details of water quality, reticulation and drainage

If you are not the owner of the land on which the caravan park or camping ground is to be situated, you will need to provide the written consent of the land owner.