2017-04-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                     11 APRIL 2017



REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE

1                        HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Principal Strategic Planner, Rowena Skinner
                                    Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index                               ECM/ Projects & Contracts/ Planning Scheme Review 2016 - Planning
                                    Studies
                                    ECM/Subject/Planning Instruments – Social Policy and Housing

Attachments                         1.   Noosa Council Housing Needs Assessment prepared by Briggs &
                                         Mortar Pty Ltd (229 page attachment provided separately to this report)


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report brings forward a Housing Needs Assessment for Noosa Shire, prepared by Briggs and
Mortar Pty Ltd. The Housing Needs Assessment is a requirement of the State Planning Policy -
State Interest Guideline on Housing Supply and Diversity, and is a key initiative of Noosa’s Social
Strategy of 2015.

The Housing Needs Assessment is intended to provide a clear understanding of the current
housing situation in Noosa Shire and with consideration of local demographics, project housing
needs into the future. It also reviews competing interests between permanent residents and short
term visitors for housing stock.

The Housing Needs Assessment finds that Noosa Shire is well supplied with larger detached
houses but appears to have a limitation on housing choice and that for some members of the
Noosa Shire community there is a lack of housing that meets their specific needs. Particular issues
are:

•                        Housing affordability, especially for low income households and key workers;
•                        A lack of accessible or adaptable housing for older people and people with specific needs;
•                        A theoretical mismatch of housing size and household size;
•                        A shortage of affordable and appropriate aged accommodation;
•                        A lack of housing diversity, and particularly smaller dwellings;
•                        Low levels of social and emergency housing;
•                        Conflict between resident and visitor accommodation.

Recommendations, primarily for the planning scheme review process, are focussed on improving
housing choice and facilitating a greater mix of housing styles.


RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 11 April 2017 and endorse the Housing Needs Assessment prepared
by Briggs & Mortar for the purpose of informing the drafting of the new planning scheme.




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