2016-08-09 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 9 AUGUST 2016


Economic Benefits
The proposed development will result in a significant economic benefit for Noosaville and is
expected to provide jobs for some 70 to 80 practitioners and support staff;
Assessment – Disagree
The economic benefits of the proposal are desirable and align with the intent of Noosa Council’s
recently adopted Local Economic Plan, however, these benefits would flow from development on
suitably zoned land.
Community Need & Benefit
The [submitted] Economic Needs Analysis demonstrates sufficient planning grounds in the
community interest including:
   There is a clear and pressing need for the development of a purpose-built health care centre
     that would consolidate health care facilities within the one location, reducing the need for
     Noosa residents to travel outside their local area to access radiology services and other
     specialist treatment;
   The proposed specialist health centre would have a net positive economic and social benefit
     for the Noosa community and would not undermine the existing centres hierarchy. More
     particularly, it is Urban Economics’s opinion that the proposed specialist health centre will
     complement and enhance the vibrancy, vitality and performance of the centres network for
     Noosa.
Assessment – Disagree
Need for the development at this location has not been demonstrated, because:
   The need for additional floor space is relatively minor and could be accommodated at the
     existing Noosaville Medical and Professional Centre or other suitably zoned sites in
     Noosaville.
   The level of convenience is not considered to represent a significant need. The existing
     Noosaville Medical and Professional Centre provides a similar level of convenience and other
     medical uses are already dispersed in Noosaville. Co-location would be better addressed
     on the Noosa Hospital site itself, which could accommodate further development.
Economic and social benefits from the site would flow from its development on suitably zoned land.
While the development may not impact on Noosa’s “centres hierarchy”, it is not agreed the
development would not impact on other centres, as it would reduce demand for medical uses
elsewhere.
4.   CONSULTATION
4.1. IDAS Referral Agencies
Not applicable.
4.2. Other Referrals
The application was forwarded to the following internal Council specialists:
   Development Engineer
   Environmental Health Officer
   Environment Officer
   Principal
Their assessment forms part of this report.




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