NON-POWERED WATER SPORTS FEASIBILTY STUDY · Attachment 1: Noosa NPWS Feasibility Study

                     6 Issues and implications

This section aims to identify important elements for decision-     Impacts of small lots sizes
making by examining the key issues and the implications            One of the impacts of medium density housing and small
relevant to this feasibility report.                               residential lot sizes is a reduction in storage space, and
                                                                   particularly a lack of backyards. This reduces the ability
Natural environment custodianship                                  for people to store relatively large water craft for sport and
Custodianship of the natural environment is a cornerstone of       recreation activities at their home, and results in them
Noosa Shire Council’s strategic direction, reflecting the values   seeking alternative storage locations.
and aspirations of the community, and stated explicitly in         The most obvious example of this in Noosaville, is the
adopted strategic plans and policies.                              decades-long practice of storing ‘trailer sailers’ (mono-hull
The Crown Reserve that is the Noosaville foreshore is a            yachts on trailers) in the public car park at the rear of the
narrow linear greenspace, valued for its environmental,            Noosa Yacht and Sailing Club building. Due to the length
amenity and recreation benefits, that Council manages as the       of time this practice has been tolerated, the club’s regular
trustee on behalf of the Queensland State Government, and          competitions are now dependant on this practice continuing.
in turn all Queenslanders.                                         Other examples, although more recent in their emergence,
It is incumbent on Council to ensure that the values of the        is the storage of club-owned six-person ocean canoes (OC6)
Noosaville Foreshore Reserve are retained for current and          by the Noosa Outrigger Club at Chaplain Park, and storage
future generations.                                                of small sailing craft and rowing boats on racks on the
                                                                   land surrounding the NYRC and in car park spaces (in the
                                                                   aforementioned public car park).
Climate change response and adaptation
Council’s Environment Policy Framework includes                    Retention of public open space
development of 5 years plans to support climate change
response and adaptation. These plans include a Coastal             Urban planning legislation and regulation includes the
Foreshore Management Plan, Climate Change Response Plan,           requirement for the provision of public open space for
Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan, and Flood Management              passive and active (sport) recreation parks within appropriate
Plan. Current and future use of the Noosaville foreshore will      distances from homes to contribute to a quality lifestyle and
be examined and potentially impacted by these planning             general health and wellbeing, along with a range of other
activities.                                                        benefits.
                                                                   Many of Noosaville’s public open spaces perform multiple
Population pressures and the urban footprint                       functions in addition to providing recreation and visual
The Noosaville foreshore and the Noosa River are popular           amenity value. These functions include protecting
recreation destinations for residents and visitors. Use is         environmental values, areas for erosion and deposition,
projected to increase as the population increases. An              habitat, stormwater management, and buffer areas for storm
example of this increasing pressure, is the investigation into     surge.
congestion and speed on the Noosa River, led by the State          The geographic and landscape features of an area can greatly
Government, together with key stakeholders                         influence the range of passive and active recreation pursuits
The Noosa community and Council has consistently applied           that are appropriate and/or practical. Access to the Noosa
sustainability principles when planning for population and         River and the ocean provide opportunities for participation in
urban development. Balancing the demand for housing with           a diverse range of water-based recreation and sport activities.
protection of the natural environmental has resulted in a mix      It follows that the area will continue to be an attractive place
of low and medium density housing, with predominantly small        to either live or visit for activities related to the river and
lot sizes for standalone residential properties.                   ocean, rather than more traditional land-based recreation and
                                                                   sport pursuits.


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                                 Noosa Shire Council