2017-04-11 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 Housing Needs Assessment

         over time.

    11. The uptake and acceptability of secondary dwellings to the community and industry be
        monitored and reviewed over time.

    12. The potential for Short Term Rental Accommodation to fill both permanent and tourist
        accommodation needs be recognised, and their Development Approval not be required.
        However self-compliance with a Code of Conduct could be encouraged.

    13. The remaining ‘tourist only’ resort site be preserved and the limits of accommodation
        sustainability in Noosa Shire be recognised while encouraging the growth of the tourism
        industry in more sustainable ways.

    14. The identification of some areas for resident only housing that is not taken up with visitors
        be considered.

    15. The provision of additional crisis and emergency housing in the Shire be advocated and
        facilitated as far as possible by Council.



7.1.2    Recommended Actions in Relation to Providing Incentives
Incentives can be an important tool for Councils to attempt to achieve their housing priorities. In
2008 incentives were introduced in the Noosa Planning Scheme in relation to small dwellings.
This included a parking relaxation, and less private open space required. It would appear that only
one development has taken advantage of the small dwelling unit development provisions. This
may suggest that the provisions need further review to be financially successful and, as indicated
through the consultation, further awareness and understanding of the provisions within the
property industry may be needed. Council might work with designers and industry
representatives in reviewing these provisions.

Infrastructure charging discounts have proven elsewhere (e.g. Brisbane) to be an effective
incentive to assist in achieving Council priorities (in that case in relation to student
accommodation and four and five star hotels prior to G20). BCC has now introduced incentives
for the retirement and aged care sector, including expediting the approval process for Retirement
and Residential Care Facilities, and lowering some levels of assessment.

Noosa Council has in the past been circumspect in relation to the provision of incentives. Those
relating to additional bonus density can be seen as eroding the principles of the Noosa Plan; and
like other Councils, those that relate to reductions in infrastructure charges can result in a
shortfall in planned infrastructure revenue that it is necessary for Council to fill at some stage
unless rating levies or some other technique are used to recoup levies. While the latter may not
be particularly significant given the small amount of growth yet to occur, Noosa Shire has a small
rate base over which any discount needs to be absorbed.

Reduction in development application fees can similarly affect Council’s budgeting while
contributing little significant incentive; and development assessment times are already being
further reduced under the new Planning Act so that reduction in assessment times for priority
applications would be difficult.

On the other hand, it should be acknowledged that the current Noosa Plan is approaching the
end of its life and that in preparing the New Noosa Plan, Council may choose to actively prioritise
outcomes of social equity and inclusiveness including housing diversity. This report consequently




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