3365 261022 report · RAL19/0014.01

1.2    NATIONAL HOUSING CRISIS

Successive Federal Governments have introduced measures attempting to alleviate
the well documented and reported National Housing Crisis.

State Governments, including Queensland, are involved through the National
Housing Accord, agreed to in late 2022. Many homes need building under this
accord before 2029, a challenging target currently unlikely to be achieved.

Funding has been provided to State Govt to boost supply and increase affordability.
The Qld Govt has a stated focus on increasing the supply of new properties to meet
the demand.

Planning restrictions have been identified as a key cause of inadequate supply.

It is important that planning schemes are prepared accurately, properly considerate
of urban growth, practical extension of existing infrastructure and housing choice, as
well as protecting biodiversity and limiting the effect of natural hazards such as flood
and bushfire in this time of climate change.

The obvious need for new allotments to build upon near Pomona is reflected in the
very short periods land is on the market, whether vacant or including existing
houses. Those that are vacant are not vacant for long!

RAL19/0014 is for development compliant with the detached housing zone of the
scheme former to the Noosa Plan 2020.

The 2 hectare parcel at 30 Pottery Street, Lot 496 on Plan MCH591, is zoned Rural
Residential under the Noosa Plan 2020. Under the former scheme, it was zoned
detached housing. It is likely the zoning change was to accord with mapped
biodiversity shown in State Govt and Council scheme overlays.

We suggest the biodiversity overlays, drafted using overhead imagery using broad
brush principles, are at least very questionable related to the subject parcel.

In considering a request for extension to RAL currency period under the Planning Act
2016, section 87 allows Council to consider any matter they consider relevant.

Under the following Biodiversity heading, we provide a report that suggests the
biodiversity overlays to be misleading.

We ask Council to approve an extension to RAL19/0014 considering the
development provides 8 additional home sites to a town currently devoid of vacant
land on a property to which infrastructure is now connected and can be extended by
gravity means.

This would provide small but definite assistance to Noosa Council in reaching targets
required in alleviating the Housing Crisis.


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