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9-3-1LowDensityHousingCode_70_08-Sep-2026 · MCU26/0104
Noosa Plan 2020: Current - Amendment 3
Part 9 Development codes \ 9.3 Use Codes \ 9.3.1 Low Density Housing Code
9.3 Use Codes
9.3.1 Low Density Housing Code
9.3.1.1 Application
This code applies to acceptable development which is subject to requirements and to assessable development identified as requiring assessment against the Low
Density Housing code by the tables of assessment in Part 5 (Tables of assessment).
9.3.1.2 Purpose and overall outcomes
(1) The purpose of the Low density housing code is to ensure dwelling houses, community residences, rooming accommodation and short-term accommodation (where
no more than one detached dwelling on the site):
(a) are appropriately located;
(b) achieve a high level of comfort and amenity for occupants;
(c) maintain amenity and privacy of neighbouring residential premises; and
(d) are compatible with the character and streetscape of the local area.
(2) The overall outcomes sought for the Low density residential code are:
(a) Development incorporates a high standard of design and makes a positive contribution to the streetscape character of the area in which it is located.
(b) Development is sited and designed to protect the amenity and privacy of neighbouring premises.
(c) Development provides a high level of safety, security and amenity for residents.
(d) Development is provided with an acceptable level of infrastructure and services.
(e) Where not in a sewerage service area, effluent disposal systems are designed and sited to avoid adverse effects on the environment.
(f) Driveways and crossovers provide safe and reasonable vehicle access from the carriageway to the property boundary, minimise adverse effects
on Council’s infrastructure and ensure safety for all users of the footpath.
(g) Community residences in the Low density residential zone are of a domestic scale with traffic levels which do not unreasonably affect the residential amenity
of neighbours.
(h) Secondary dwellings are small scale, subordinate to the dwelling and provide housing choice and amenity for the occupants.
(i) Rooming accommodation in the Low density residential zone is of domestic scale and provides housing choice to meet the varying needs of the community.
(j) Buildings relocated from other sites do not pose a health or safety risk or adversely affect the amenity of their neighbourhood or existing infrastructure.
(k) Development maintains the natural landscape character and visual quality of hillslopes and ridgelines and avoids adverse impacts on the environmental
values of the land.
FOR ACCEPTED DEVELOPMENT
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The requirements for Acceptable Development are the acceptable outcomes listed in the Table of Assessment. Accepted development that complies with
the acceptable solutions is considered to satisfy the requirements. If development complies with some, but not all, acceptable outcomes, an application
for Code Assessment will be necessary and the application will be assessed against the relevant Performance Outcome(s).
FOR ASSESSABLE DEVELOPMENT
Acceptable outcomes are provided for some, but not all, performance outcomes, and identify ways in which performance outcomes can be met.
Compliance with the performance outcome should be demonstrated and the acceptable outcomes are considered as one way to satisfy the corresponding
performance outcome.
9.3.1.3 Assessment Criteria
Table 9.3.1.3 - Criteria for assessment
Performance outcomes Acceptable Outcomes Comments
Location
PO1 AO1.1 Complies –
Dwelling houses, rooming accommodation, community Dwelling houses (including secondary dwellings) and The dwelling is located in the Rural Zone.
residences and short-term accommodation are located community residences are anticipated in the Low
where they: density residential zone, Rural residential zone and
(a) provide a high level of comfort and amenity for Rural zone.
occupants; AO1.2 N/a for a Dwelling house.
(b) maintain amenity and privacy of neighbouring Rooming accommodation provides housing choice
premises; within urban boundaries.
(c) are compatible with the character and
streetscape of the local area; and
(d) do not occupy land intended for higher density
living.
Effects of use
Removal homes AO2.1 N/a – the proposed dwelling is not a removal home.
PO2 Any part of a removal home that is affected by termite
A removal home— attack, borers, dry rot or severe weathering or is
(a) does not have an adverse impact on the amenity damaged as a consequence of relocation, is repaired
of the premises or surrounding premises; and
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(b) maintains the safety of people and property. or replaced using new or sound second-hand
materials.
AO2.2 N/a – the dwelling is not located in an “urban
Where located within the urban boundary, external boundary”.
surfaces of the building are cleaned and painted.
Editor’s Note— the urban boundary is indicated on the zone
maps contained within Schedule 2.
Editor’s Note— applicants will be required to pay a
performance bond to Council before final building approval is
granted. The bond is held by Council until all external
building works are completed to a satisfactory level, usually
within a 12 to 24 month time frame.
Housing choice AO3 N/a – a secondary dwelling is not proposed.
PO3 A secondary dwelling:
A secondary dwelling: (a) has a maximum gross floor area of 65m2;
(a) forms part of a dwelling house and is not (b) has no more than 2 bedrooms;
subdivided from the balance of the dwelling (c) is not used for short-term accommodation or
house; home-based business (home hosted
(b) is small and subordinate to the balance of the accommodation);
dwelling house; (d) does not occur on any property covered by a
(c) contributes to housing choice for permanent Building Unit Plan; and
residents and is not let to short term guests; (e) does not occur on a property that already
(d) protects the low density residential, rural contains a dual occupancy or secondary
residential or rural character of the zone; dwelling.
(e) does not occur on a property covered by a
Building Unit Plan or any property already
containing more than one dwelling;
(f) is accompanied by sufficient car parking.
PO4 AO4 N/a – not applicable to the assessment of a
Rooming accommodation is located on a site with Rooming accommodation provides housing choice Dwelling.
convenient access to employment or education as well within urban boundaries and is limited to sites within:
as goods and services including public transport. (a) 1,500 metres walking distance, via a sealed
pathway, of land within the Major centre zone,
District centre zone or 800 metres of land within
the Neighbourhood centre zone; or
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(b) 800 metres walking distance, via a sealed
pathway of a pedestrian access point of a
hospital or tertiary education establishment; or
(c) 400 metres walking distance, via a sealed
pathway, of a Translink bus stop.
Building design and services
Service and utilities AO5.1 N/a – the dwelling is not located within an “urban
PO5 If located within the urban boundary, the dwelling is boundary” area.
Development is provided with: connected to reticulated water supply, sewerage,
(a) a level of infrastructure and services that is stormwater drainage and telecommunications
appropriate to its setting and sufficient for the infrastructure networks (where available to the lot).
intended use; Editor’s Note—the urban boundary is indicated on the zone
(b) an effluent treatment and disposal system that maps contained within Schedule 2.
does not have an adverse effect on ecologically AO5.2 Complies –
important areas or water quality; and Where there is no reticulated water supply, the The dwelling proposes 2 x 30,000l inground concrete
(c) adequate onsite water storage to support the premises is serviced with a rainwater tank with the tanks for exclusive use by the 5 bedroom dwelling
efficient use of water and is adequate for following minimum water supply capacity: and a separate 10,000l tanks for dedicated
everyday use of the occupants. (a) for dwellings with no more than 3 bedrooms — firefighting purposes.
45,000 litres; or
(b) for dwellings of more than 3 bedrooms or where
including a secondary dwelling on the same
premises — 60,000 litres.
AO5.3 Complies –
If located on a lot where reticulated sewerage is not A HSTP system is proposed, the design is included
available to the lot, the dwelling is connected to an on- in the supporting material and a separate plumbing
site effluent treatment and disposal system. application will be made by the Private Certifier.
Landscaping AO6 Will Comply –
PO6 Soft landscaping is provided and retained to a The site will be revegetated and landscaped
Buildings and structures allow for sufficient space for minimum of 20% of the site area. following the construction of the dwelling. See also
outdoor activities, garden areas and screening to the proposed revegetation plan by the Ecological
surrounding land uses. Assessment Report.
Car parking AO7 Complies –
PO7 Car parking is provided in accordance with Table Parking is provide on site for the dwelling. A double
Sufficient car parking is provided to accommodate the 9.4.1.4 of the Driveways and parking code. car garage is contained within the curtilage of the
number of vehicles likely to use the site. dwelling house.
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Editor's note— while the planning scheme does not require
car parking spaces to be covered, the desire to
retrospectively cover a parking space is not supported if site
cover and setback provisions are not met.
Driveway and crossover
Editor's Note - In addition to the following benchmarks for accepted development subject to requirements for driveway and
crossovers, approval is required from Council to construct or modify all crossovers.
Access Design AO8.1 Complies –
PO8 Driveways and crossovers are designed to comply with A driveway to the site is existing with no changes
The design, management and maintenance of the Council's standard drawings RS-049, RS-050, RS-056 proposed as a result of the dwelling.
access facilitates: and addendum as applicable.
(a) safe and convenient use for vehicles, pedestrians AO8.2 N/a – a footpath is not present in the road reserve
and cyclists; Where a footpath exists, the driveway meets the road fronting the site.
(b) vehicles negotiating without contacting the reserve at the level of the existing footpath.
driveway or crossover surface; and AO8.3
(c) stormwater disposal without any negative Driveways within the property: Complies –
impacts on the surrounding area. (a) have a maximum gradient of 20% and vertical The site is essentially flat as is the existing access to
curves to ensure no scraping for a standard the site from Louis Bazzo Drive.
vehicle; or
(b) have a maximum gradient of 25% provided—
(i) the length of the driveway steeper than
20% does not exceed 6 metres; and
(ii) there is a change in gradient not less than 2
metres in length and not greater than
12:5% at the ends of the 25% section of the
driveway.
PO9 AO9 Complies –
The driveway and crossover design avoids using The driveway and crossover is designed without The driveway access is existing with no changes
structures within the road reserve. significant alteration to the existing road reserve proposed as a result of the dwelling.
whereby the finished surface level of the driveway is
consistent in height with the existing height of the road
reserve.
Editor’s Note—Should the design not comply with the
standard drawings, including any cut or fill within the road
reserve, an operational works application to Council for a
non-standard driveway is required.
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Materials AO10 N/a for a dwelling house.
PO10 No pavers or permeable pavement systems are used
Driveways and crossovers are to be able to withstand within the road reserve.
loadings from vehicles and the use of pavers is Editor’s Note—Examples of the types of pavers to avoid
avoided. include clay, concrete and permeable pavement products.
Surface water AO11 N/a for a dwelling house.
PO11 Driveways have a minimum grade of 1% away from
Driveways are designed to: any adjoining buildings and are formed to drain to
(a) prevent water from ponding or entering buildings; landscaped areas.
(b) provide an opportunity for filtering of stormwater
prior to it leaving the site; and
(c) not reduce the stormwater carrying capacity of
roadways.
Protection of infrastructure AO12 Complies –
PO12 Driveways are located not less than 1.0 metre from There is no stormwater infrastructure in the road
Driveways do not damage or interfere with the location, stormwater infrastructure. reserve.
function of, or access to Council infrastructure. Editor’s Note—If the driveway covers or is within 1.0 metre
of stormwater infrastructure, an operational works application
to Council for a non-standard driveway is required.
Streetscape and effect on traffic network AO13.1 Complies –
PO13 Areas adjoining driveways disturbed as a result of the No works to the existing access is proposed.
The visual impact of driveways on the streetscape and driveway construction are grassed or planted to
surrounding area is minimised and significant adverse minimise visual impact and stabilise the soil.
impacts on the traffic network are avoided. AO13.2
Vehicular access avoids disturbance to the tree
protection zone of trees on public land.
Driveway Location AO14.1 Complies –
PO14 Only one driveway and crossover is provided. A single driveway access is existing on site.
Driveways and crossovers are located so they do not AO14.2
impede the safe and efficient use of the road network. Where the premises has frontage to more than one Complies –
formed and sealed road and the roads have differing The site has access to only one road frontage.
orders in the Road Hierarchy, the driveway and cross-
over is provided on the frontage with the lower order.
AO14.3
N/a – the site is not a corner lot.
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For corner lots, driveways and crossovers are located
in accordance with Council's standard drawings. Complies –
AO14.4 The driveway is existing with no changes proposed.
If in the Rural zone or Rural Residential zone, the
driveway and cross-over is located to provide minimum
safe sight distances in accordance with Austroads.
Editor's Note - An operational works application is required
for a second driveway.
Earthworks and drainage
Earthworks and Drainage AO15 Complies –
PO15 Filling other than accessways: Minor filling for the building pad has occurred
Earthworks and drainage operational works do not (a) does not extend more than the equivalent of 1.5 however the filling is all within 3.0m of the outer walls
directly, indirectly or cumulatively cause adverse metres within the urban area boundary and 3m of the dwelling as indicated on the proposal plans.
impacts external to the development site by: for rural areas, measured from the outer walls of The fill was limited to less than 500m2 and will not
(a) causing ponding of water on the site or nearby the main building; impact on the local drainage of any adjoining lot.
land; (b) is limited to a maximum of 500m2; and
(b) increasing flooding, which adversely affects the (c) does not impact on the local drainage of
safety or use of any land upstream and adjoining properties.
downstream;
(c) adversely affecting the flow of water in any
overland flow path; and
(d) adversely affecting the privacy or visual amenity
of surrounding property.
Editor's Note—Development should ensure that filling does
not impact on the amenity and usability of neighbouring
properties (including loss of privacy caused by relative level
changes) or offsite drainage.
PO16 No acceptable outcome provided N/a for a dwelling house.
Underground car parking areas are designed to drain
and function safely during a flood event and power
failure.
Editor's note—Basements should have flood immunity
above the 1%AEP defined flood event with alternative means
to mechanical pumping used to achieve such immunity.
Hazards
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Bushfire Hazard Management AO17 Complies –
PO17 Within a bushfire hazard area where there is no The dwelling is located within a bushfire hazard area
Where located in a Bushfire Hazard Area as shown on reticulated water supply, the premises has: as per Council’s mapping. A site specific Bushfire
the Bushfire Hazard Overlay Map in Schedule 2 and (a) an accessible dam, swimming pool or water tank Report is provided. In addition, the development
not in a water service area, an adequate, reliable, available for firefighting purposes with an onsite proposes a dedicated 10,000l firefighting tank.
safely located and freely accessible water supply is water volume of not less than 5,000 litres; and Council may condition the fitting of compatible fire
provided for fire fighting purposes, which is in addition (b) a water supply outlet pipe 50 millimetres in brigade fittings.
to day to day water supply. diameter and fitted with a standard fire brigade
fitting connected to the water supply (other than
where the water supply is in a swimming pool or
dam).
Editor’s Note — Water supply capacity for firefighting
purposes is in addition to water supply capacity for
household use.
Flood Hazards AO18.1 Complies –
PO18 Where the development is located in the Flood Hazard The proposed dwelling will be situated at 3.550m
Development is designed and sited to ensure risk to Area as shown on Flood Hazard Overlay Map in AHD. The Council issue Flood Certificate indicates
people and property from flooding is avoided or Schedule 2, the finished floor level of habitable rooms the required minimum habitable floor level is 3.5m
minimised. is at least 300 millimetres above the Defined flood AHD. In addition, a site-specific Flood Report has
event (DFE). been provided by the applicant and is attached as
OR supporting information for Council. The Flood
AO18.2 Engineer has provided an assessment against the
Where the DFE has not been modelled for the area, Flood Hazard Overlay.
the finished floor level of habitable rooms is at least
500 millimetres above the highest recorded flood.
Editor's Note—The QDC mandatory provisions MP3.5 also
apply to the construction of buildings in flood hazard areas.
Landslide Hazard Area AO19.1 N/a – for a dwelling
PO19 Development, including associated access, is not
Development maintains the safety of people, property located on land identified as a landslide hazard area
and hazardous materials stored in bulk from the risk of on a Landslide Hazard Overlay Map or areas with 15%
landslide. slope or greater, as determined by a site-specific
slope-analysis
Editor's Note—A site- specific geotechnical assessment
may be used to demonstrate that although the proposed
development is shown on the Landslide Hazard Overlay as
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being in the moderate, high or very high landslide hazard
area, the landslide risk is low or very low.
OR
AO19.2
A site-specific geotechnical assessment is prepared by
a registered professional engineer to certify that:
(a) the stability of the site, including associated
buildings and infrastructure, will be maintained
and operational for the life of the development;
(b) the site is not subject to the risk of landslide
activity originating from other land, including land
above the site; and
(c) development of the site will not increase the risk
of landslide activity on other land.
Editor's Note— PSP8 Natural Hazards provides further
guidance on assessing landslide hazard.
AO19.3
Any specific measures identified in a site specific
geotechnical assessment for stabilising the site or
development are to be fully implemented.
Major electricity infrastructure & substations
Major Electricity Infrastructure & Substations AO20.1 Complies –
PO20 Development including any sensitive land uses is at The proposed development is not located within the
Development is sufficiently separated from major least: stated distance to any electrical infrastructure.
electricity infrastructure and substations to minimise (a) 50 metres from a transmission substation;
the likelihood of nuisance or complaint. (b) 10 metres from any other substation; and
(c) 30 metres from a transmission line easement.
AO20.2
Habitable buildings are not located within an easement Complies –
for a distribution line. The dwelling is not located within an easement.
PO21 AO21 Complies –
Development is located and designed to avoid or Noise emissions do not exceed 5db(A) above The dwelling is not in proximity to electrical
minimise noise nuisance from the use of infrastructure. background noise level internal to a habitable building infrastructure.
measured in accordance with AS1055.
PO22 AO22 Complies –
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Wherever practicable habitable buildings are Where adjoining substations or major electricity The dwelling is not in proximity to electrical
orientated to avoid direct overlooking of major infrastructure, habitable buildings are orientated so that infrastructure.
electricity infrastructure or substations. the majority of outdoor living areas and windows of
habitable rooms face away from the infrastructure.
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