MCU25/0006 - DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE - SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION (BACKPACKERS ACCOMMODATION) AT 17 RUSSELL ST, NOOSAVILLE · Report

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                            7 OCTOBER 2025


  STATUTORY DETAILS

  SEQRP Designation               Urban Footprint

  Zone                            High Density Residential

  Local Plan Area                 Noosaville

  Overlays                            •    Land Subject to Acid Sulphate Soils
                                      •    Flood Hazard

  Assessment Type                 Impact

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This application seeks a development approval for Material Change of Use for a Short-term
accommodation (48 bed backpackers’ accommodation) at 17 Russell Street, Noosaville.
Existing development at the site is a three-storey, 3 unit Multiple dwelling building. The proposal
seeks to retain the existing building and construct a new three storey extension (plus roof top terrace)
at the rear of the site to accommodate the 48 bed accommodation.
The site is 609m² in area and features a 15 metre frontage to Russell Street. It is proposed to reuse
the site’s existing driveway (adjacent to the northwestern side boundary) to access a carparking area
at the rear of the site. Ground level plans indicate 4 standard parking spaces (including 2 spaces
provided in a double car stacker), 1 space for a PWD and 1 minivan space.
The site is contained within the High Density Residential zone with the use defined as a consistent
use (Impact assessment). The site is also located within the Noosaville Local Plan area which details
that development within Medium and High Density Residential zones is to accommodate a diversity
of housing types including Multiple dwellings, Retirement facilities and Residential care facilities.
During the public notification of the application 178 properly made submissions were received. The
majority of submissions objected to the development raising concerns about the impacts on the local
traffic network, scale of development, potential for privacy and overlooking issues between
properties and acoustic concerns.
The proposed development requests variations to the Noosa Plan 2020 planning scheme including
a rooftop terrace, relaxation of rear building setbacks, site cover, plot ratio and onsite carparking/
servicing.
Upon assessment, there is not sufficient merit to recommend the application for approval as it does
not achieve the Overall outcomes sought under the High Density Residential zone, Noosaville Local
Plan Code and Works Codes.
It is recommended that the application be refused.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Senior Development Planner to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 7 October 2025 regarding Application MCU25/0006 for a Development
Permit for Material Change of Use - Short-term accommodation (backpackers accommodation),
situated at and 1-3/17 Russell Street Noosaville and:
          A. Refuse the application for the following reasons:
          1. The proposed development is an overdevelopment of the site and is not consistent with
             Overall Outcomes 6.3.3.2 (2) (a) (c) (d) (e) (f) (h) (j) (n) and (p) and performance