Meeting papers

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                      11 DECEMBER 2023


6.1     NOOSA HOUSING STRATEGY - 12 MONTH UPDATE


Author            Principal Strategic Planner, Rowena Skinner
                  Strategic Land Use & Planning | Strategy and Environment
Index             Subject: 41.46 Housing Strategy
Attachments       1.   ATTACHMENT 1 Update on Housing Strategy Actions


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In November 2022, Noosa Council endorsed the Noosa Housing Strategy, demonstrating its
commitment to reducing inequity, promoting inclusiveness, and providing safe, affordable housing
for residents.

Noosa Shire, like many other communities is struggling with the availability and affordability of
housing options. This is affecting many parts of our community, particularly low to medium income
earners, but also employment sectors trying to attract and retain staff. The problem has been
exacerbated by various factors over the last four years. Noosa Shire is a popular place to live and
visit and it has a limited amount of developable land. Supply of housing can not and will not keep up
with demand.

Through adoption of the Housing Strategy in December 2022, Council has committed to various
actions to advance the vision of an inclusive Noosa community where everybody has access to safe,
secure housing they can afford.

Whilst reporting back on the implementation of the Housing Strategy was required following 2 years,
this report provides a progress update and commentary on the implementation of actions within the
Housing Strategy over the past 12 months.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the General Committee Meeting
dated 11 December 2023 regarding the Noosa Housing Strategy - 12 month Update.



REPORT
Implementation of the Housing Strategy
Since adoption, Noosa's Housing Strategy has been published online and circulated broadly
amongst stakeholder networks and through social media. Council held a Housing Forum on 1st
March 2023 and invited stakeholders, including everyone that made written submissions on the draft
Housing Strategy. The Housing Forum provided an opportunity to personalise the housing crisis
through real local examples and reinforce the importance of taking a role as a local government and
as a community, in what is often seen as a State or Federal problem. A letter was also sent to
approximately 900 owners of homes used for short-term accommodation encouraging them to
consider renting to permanent tenants instead.

The Housing Strategy contained a total of 48 actions. Attachment 1 contains a full list of the actions
with an update of what has occurred to date and what the next steps will be. Council's role differed
for each action depending on its level of influence and what resources could reasonably be
committed. Some of the key actions are outlined below.

Some actions required Council to recognise certain challenges and monitor the situation or to




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