2017-04-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              11 APRIL 2017


5.      The suggestion that market forces should be allowed to determine this is an insufficient
        argument for allowing an inconsistent use to intrude upon the preferred outcome of the Noosa
        Plan for this zone and this locality.
3.2. Public Notification
The application was publicly notified for 15 business days in accordance with the Sustainable
Planning Act 2009. 14 properly made submissions were received. Of the 14 submissions received,
3 were in support of the proposal, 11 objected to the proposal and 1 took an impartial view. The
following table provides a summary and assessment of the issues raised by submitters.

     Issues                                            Comments
     3 Submissions in support of the proposal
     Ensure the viability of the development into      This is not a town planning issue.
     the future.

     Have a stabilising effect on the community        There is no evidence to suggest that this community
     and have an interest in maintaining common        needs stabilising. Permanent residents will have
     property and security and value the               greater ownership/connection to their surrounds, but
     environmental values of the site.                 this is no argument to support the conversion from
                                                       visitor accommodation to permanent residents.

     The proposal will not have a significant          Permanent residency will potentially remove 19
     impact on Noosa’s holiday accommodation.          holiday homes from the Noosa region. Although some
     The change in use will not exclude them from      permanent residents may opt to rent out their homes
     being rented for holidays (eg. Airbnb).           at some point, there is no guarantee that this will
                                                       occur. It is noted also that a number of these holiday
                                                       homes have been permanently occupied for some
                                                       time.
     Increase the value of properties as banks are     This is not a planning issue.
     more likely to lend money for a principle place
     of residence.
     Permanent residents lessen the chance of          This may or may not be the case. There is no
     noise pollution from loud music and parties.      evidence to support this argument.
     Occupancy for holiday accommodation is            This is not a planning issue.
     very low – approximately 25% (for those in
     the letting pool).
     Need improved potential for sales - Investors   This is not a planning or Council issue.
     have trouble selling, due to its holiday let    Council has a draft Housing Needs Assessment
     status - Council needs to assist.               Report (drafted to inform the new planning scheme)
                                                     which acknowledges the need to protect visitor
                                                     accommodation in Noosa and thus protecting the
                                                     tourism economy.
     Note: One submitter in support of the proposal owns 2 eco-cabins on the site, but pointed out that the
     eco-cabins do not form part of this development application




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