Carpark is critical infrastructure, not surplus land: Medical centre warns sale risks patient access

Nambour Clinic Family Medicine says the carpark directly supports the operation of essential healthcare services.

A Nambour medical practice has joined growing opposition to the proposed sale of the Howard Street car park, warning it could compromise patient access to essential healthcare services.

Nambour Clinic Family Medicine has formally objected to the plan, saying the site is a “critical piece of infrastructure” relied on by patients, many of whom are elderly or have limited mobility. It said there had been no "apparent public notification, signage, or meaningful communication to affected stakeholders".

Sunshine Coast councillors were to decide today (Mrch 26, 2026) whether to sell the key parcel of council-owned land to Coast2Bay Housing Group Limited. But, following overwhelming public opposition to the sale, Council decided to defer the decision for eight weeks.

A report that was to be tabled at today’s ordinary meeting recommends the land at 46–62 Howard Street be sold to deliver a multi-storey development focused on affordable and social housing.

In its letter to council, the clinic echoed earlier concerns raised about the loss of parking and the lack of consultation ahead of a decision.

The practice said the car park, located opposite its Sydney Street premises, was "consistently full" and played a vital role in ensuring patients could attend appointments safely.

It also warned of broader impacts on surrounding businesses and increased pressure on already limited street parking. Council yesterday decided to defer a decision on the sale of the land for eight weeks. This followed a wave of

The clinic’s letter is reproduced in full below:

25th March 2026

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: Carpark Development, 46 to 62 Howard Street, Nambour

I am writing to formally object to the proposed sale and redevelopment of the carpark located opposite our medical centre and surrounding businesses.

This carpark is not surplus land. It is a critical piece of infrastructure that directly supports the operation of essential healthcare services and local commerce in our area. Our medical centre relies heavily on accessible, nearby parking to accommodate patients, many of whom are elderly, unwell, or have limited mobility. The availability of convenient parking is not simply a matter of convenience; it is fundamental to ensuring patients can safely and reliably access medical care. There is a clear lack of available parking or close alternative options in the immediate area, and the existing carpark is consistently full and fully utilised.

In addition to supporting healthcare access, the carpark serves multiple surrounding businesses that depend on customer accessibility for their continued viability. Removing this parking will significantly reduce foot traffic, disrupt business operations, and place undue strain on already limited street parking. This is likely to create congestion, safety concerns, and frustration for both patients and visitors to the area.

We are also deeply concerned that this matter is scheduled to be voted on as early as tomorrow without any apparent public notification, signage, or meaningful communication to affected stakeholders. The absence of transparent consultation raises significant concerns about due process and denies local businesses, healthcare providers, and the broader community a fair opportunity to provide input on a decision that will have lasting impacts.

While we recognise and support the importance of increasing affordable housing, this location is not suitable given its essential role in supporting health services and the local business community. Development in this space would create unintended negative consequences that outweigh the proposed benefits.

We respectfully urge Council to reconsider this proposal and explore alternative sites that do not compromise access to healthcare and local businesses. At a minimum, a thorough impact assessment and meaningful consultation with affected stakeholders should be undertaken before any decision is made.

Thank you for considering our concerns. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further.

Yours sincerely,

Rowena Bain, Practice Manager

On behalf of the Business Owners