Canungra's past central to draft master plan for its future
Published on 27 February 2026
Community consultation is set to commence on a draft town centre master plan to guide Canungra's next chapter as a lively tourism destination, service hub and a gateway to the Scenic Rim.
Endorsed at yesterday's Ordinary Meeting of Council, the Draft Canungra Town Centre Master Plan reflects a vision for a town whose future is vibrant, connected and resilient, with safe streets, lively public spaces and growth that protects heritage, nature and rural charm - a thriving scenic destination balancing its rich past with a sustainable and inclusive future.
Division 3 Councillor Stephen Moriarty said Canungra's population growth, forecast to reach 3,000 in the town itself by 2041, placed pressure on local infrastructure that demanded careful planning.
"Input from the Canungra Town Centre Master Plan Committee has offered valuable insights that have ensured community values and goals shaped both the vision and strategic priorities," he said.
Nestled in the foothills of Lamington National Park, Canungra has a longstanding connection to the First Nations peoples of the Scenic Rim.
Following European settlement, agriculture and timber milling from the 1880s became mainstays of the Canungra economy which revolved around the Lahey family's massive sawmill.
Although the timber industry had faded by the 1940s, the establishment in 1942 of the Jungle Training Centre (now Kokoda Barracks) to prepare Australian soldiers for war in the Pacific marked the beginning of a new chapter in Canungra's history.
Now a thriving tourism destination, Canungra is known for its heritage charm and the natural beauty of remnant rainforests.
Cr Moriarty said key issues facing Canungra are traffic movement and the need to alleviate pressure on Christie Street.
"Council has commenced discussions with stakeholders and relevant agencies to investigate potential alternative route options, including a bypass, for the Canungra township," he said.
"These discussions aim to assess the feasibility, benefits, and constraints of potential options that could reduce traffic volumes through the town centre."
The draft master plan will help guide Canungra's future through four design principles of:
- Uplift Heritage, to protect historic buildings and provide an opportunity for sharing stories of historical significance
- Fun on Foot, to create safe, inviting paths for walking and cycling
- Access for All, ensuring roads and crossings work for everyone, and
- Scenic Community, building welcoming spaces that reflect local identity and protect Canungra's rural soul.
"This plan supports Canungra's sustainable growth, helping to ensure it remains liveable, a place where history and nature walk hand-in-hand and community values shape its future," Cr Moriarty said.
"Canungra is a close-knit community of long-term residents and newer arrivals who have been drawn by its appeal as an affordable and scenic place to live.
"Its rapid growth has created challenges of ageing infrastructure, limited pedestrian and cycling connectivity, traffic safety concerns, and the need to protect Canungra's natural assets - which include waterways such as Canungra Creek - from the impacts of development and climate variability."
While Canungra's appeal lies in its small town charm, historic character and stunning natural surrounds, increased traffic, freight movement and visitor numbers, combined with rapid residential development, are testing its safety, accessibility and everyday comfort.
Local residents, business owners, and representatives have shared their insights through workshops and collaborative sessions, ensuring that planning priorities reflect genuine local values.
Consultation on the draft master plan, from 4 March to 31 March 2026, is open to all members of the Canungra and wider Scenic Rim community.
Once community consultation opens, community members will be able to provide feedback through the Council's Let's Talk Scenic Rim community engagement platform at: https://letstalk.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/
Feedback received will inform refinements to the final master plan, helping to ensure it aligns with community aspirations.
Community members can provide feedback by:
- completing the online survey
- submitting a hard copy survey, available to download from the Let's Talk Scenic Rim platform or at Council's Customer Service Centres:
- Beaudesert - 82 Brisbane Street
- Tamborine Mountain - 30 to 32 Main Street, or
- My Country Escape, 29 Christie Street, Canungra.
Completed surveys can be returned:
- by post: PO Box 25, Beaudesert Queensland 4285, or
- in person at any Council Customer Service Centre or My Country Escape at Canungra.
Due to community interest, Scenic Rim Regional Council has extended the consultation for the Draft Kooralbyn and Kalbar Town Centre Master Plans until 9am Thursday 5 March.
For more information on the Draft Kooralbyn and Kalbar Town Centre Master Plan, visit the Let’s Talk Scenic Rim platform at: https://letstalk.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/