2022-11-04 - Special Meeting Agenda Item 1 - Attachment 2 - Consultation Report

4.1 Key engagement findings
Protect and maintain Noosa’s character and environment

        •   Across all demographics, it was clear residents value and want to protect Noosa’s character, low-density urban form and natural environment.

        •   Responses indicate support for Noosa Shire’s existing planning scheme which limits building heights. There was also support for policies aimed at
            ensuring Noosa doesn’t become over-populated like the Gold Coast..

        •   In commenting on the impact of any new social and affordable housing, the community understands that there may be amendments needed to the
            planning scheme to support new developments, however, any changes must not be at the expense of land currently designated for conservation
            purposes.

        •   In considering other areas of the Shire that would not be suitable for new social and affordable housing, there was considerable opposition to any new
            developments in the Hinterland and Noosa Heads, with residents from Noosa Heads providing the most responses of any community for this
            engagement.

        •   For any new social and affordable housing development to receive the support of the community, those who responded were of the view that each
            project would need to demonstrate how it would enhance Noosa’s existing character and lifestyle.

Different housing needs for different demographics within the Noosa Shire

        •   Although the cost of housing and lack of available affordable housing were recognised as the two major impediments for people living in the Noosa
            Shire, there was a clear difference in how residents under the age of 34 viewed social and affordable housing, compared to those aged 34 and over.

        •   Responses from those aged 34 years and under highlighted housing costs as their primary concern with those aged 75 years and over more concerned
            with ensuring that any new social and affordable housing meets existing planning guidelines.

        •   Ensuring new social and affordable housing meets current planning scheme requirements was the second most important consideration for those aged
            55-64, and the third for those aged 45-54.

        •   There was clear support for new social and affordable housing across all age groups and for new social and affordable housing to be built throughout
            the Shire - close to services and infrastructure such as public transport.




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