Planning Report

      -   The quality lifestyle sought by residents of Noosa also demands high standards of
          residential amenity. Factors such as density, noise, accessibility to community services and
          infrastructure, security, traffic and aesthetics are of significance.
      -   The above aspects are factors that assist in making Noosa distinct from other urban and
          rural settlement environments in south-east Queensland.
      -   Residential development is to use energy efficiency principles in design and minimise the
          reliance on fossil fuels for thermal comfort and water heating.
      -   Factors such as changing demographics, changing composition of households, ageing and
          in-migration to Noosa alter the housing needs of the community. Whilst it is necessary to
          cater for these changing needs, resultant development should not impact on the amenity
          of residential neighbourhoods or environmental values.
      -   Noosa’s urban and rural settlements not only satisfy the needs and aspirations of
          residents, but in many cases meet the requirements of visitors. This extends to residents
          and visitors being attracted to the same forms of accommodation, which can cause some
          level of conflict.
      -   Population growth resultant from residential development has significant potential to
          impact on the economic provision of community services and infrastructure. Proper
          planning and common-sense dictate that the commitments made for residential
          development should coordinate with the ability to provide the resultant communities with
          water, sewerage, community services, roads and the like. As a consequence, planning
          commitments made within this scheme are designed for consistency with the existing or
          planned capacity of the various community services and infrastructure.

Comment

It is considered that the proposal would not compromise the DEO – Community Implications of
Residential Use. The intent statement refers to the general preservation of the Noosa’s community
‘values, lifestyle and character’. The proposed use is a residential use intended by the Zone with
characteristics of the area lending itself to appropriately accommodating the proposed use.
The proposed development would not jeopardise the established ‘Noosa’ character as the
development meets a specific housing need. Further, architectural elements and the urban design
qualities of the proposed development would alleviate any perceived negative impacts arising from
the proposed density on the subject site.

It is further considered that the development positively contributes to achieving the DEO. The
development will provide a sense of community by creating social contact, interaction, relaxation,
companionship and physical and emotional security. Moreover, retirement living is fundamentally
affordable. The lifestyle can provide an economic, yet very high quality standard of living. Facilities
and services can be provided to the community more efficiently than they can be provided to
separate individuals, making living in a Palm Lake village more accessible through lower costs and
charges.

Finally, specialist reports, including an acoustic report and traffic impact report, have been submitted
with this development application, which have demonstrated that the external impacts associated
on operation of the use can be mitigated to a level that is appropriate for maintaining the residential
amenity of the development.



Planning Report – Palm Lake Resort- Cooroy                                                 Page 19 of 24