2014-01-28 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                28 JANUARY 2014


           Based upon previous studies conducted by Norling Consulting, it is estimated that
            Noosa Junction provides about 25,000m2 of retail floorspace and a further 25,000m 2
            of office and other non-retail services. The proposed addition of 800m 2 of retail
            floorspace represents an incremental increase of only 3%. At this level, the proposed
            800m2 of retail floorspace would not change the role or function of Noosa Junction,
            nor upset the functional relationships that exist between Noosa Junction and its
            surrounding centres of the Shire Business Centre, Noosaville, Tewantin and Hastings
            Street. Also considered of importance is that the plans show that the proposed 800m 2
            of retail floorspace are located to provide an effective integration between the existing
            Noosa Fair Shopping Centre and the proposed tavern and large liquor barn. This
            contribution to integration of the elements of Noosa Junction is considered to be a
            positive outcome for the community.
           The proposal to increase the office and other non-retail floorspace at Noosa Junction
            by about 6% should be welcomed by Council, as it would contribute to the
            achievement of Council’s overall goals of accommodating non-retail employment in
            the Noosa area and it would not be viewed as adversely impacting upon the role and
            function of the Shire Business Centre.
Council’s Economic Development unit also provided the following comments on the proposal:
      In terms of the best use of limited land available for development in the Noosa Junction
      precinct, this type of development may not be the preferred type to deliver on the strategic
      goals of the former Noosa Council and, more recently, Sunshine Coast Council, which
      were to enable/support the development of a more diversified economic base that is more
      resilient to economic fluctuations. The application does, however, deliver on elements of
      the Noosa Junction Master Plan and the additional retail floor space, increased
      commercial/office and residential uses, the addition of a key anchor tenant to the Noosa
      Junction Activity Centre and the improved shopping environment that should result, will
      assist the precinct to maintain and strengthen its position in the retail hierarchy.

      An informal survey of Noosa Junction retailers was conducted by the Town Centre Officer
      and, while by no means exhaustive, it did not identify any significant objections from traders
      in the precinct to the proposal.

Residential Component

The provision of the residential component within the mixed-used proposal is considered to be
desirable in achieving some of the planning aspirations for Noosa Junction. Notably, The Noosa
Plan has provided for shop-top housing within Noosa’s business zones since 2008 amendments.
The intent was to encourage small units for employee dwellings with high levels of accessibility
that would activate commercial areas and reduce dependence on car travel. Similarly, the
Affordable Living Strategy seeks to provide housing diversity, including smaller and more
affordable housing options, in proximity to services and facilities.       The Noosa Junction
Masterplan also seeks to generate some population density within the commercial precinct to
increase activity.

Overall outcome 9.8.2 (t)(iii) for the current Community Services zone states that uses will:

      Include housing and short term accommodation for people with special needs such as the
      elderly and budget travellers;

Such uses might include public or subsidised housing and, while not proposed here, the
provision of modest, more affordable dwelling units partly aligns with this aspiration.




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