Noosa VMU RFI Response Lodged 23.11.23 · MCU23/0078

        consistent with that intended for the VMU Precinct (5D) and to be consistent with the planning
        outcomes sought for Business Park Precinct (5A) and Residential Precinct (5E).


Response:


1.     As indicated above, the revised proposal for the VMU will incorporate a range of uses that are
       consistent with the intended outcomes for the VMU precinct identified in the Noosa Plan and
       Shaping SEQ.
       The VMU is intended to operate under a cap of 7,500 sqm of retail floorspace (Shops and Food
       and Drink Outlets) incorporating a supermarket of 3,500 sqm, and will also include a cinema and
       associated indoor recreation/entertainment, bars/restaurants, commercial offices, health care
       services, an arts and innovation precinct and 121 apartments in a mix of multiple dwellings and
       short term accommodation.

       In addition to confirming that there is economic need for additional retail beyond what is
       proposed in the VMU and Stockwell’s recent code application for the expansion of the existing
       Noosa Civic Centre on Lot 1 to serve the needs of the local community, the EIA also confirms that
       the proposed VMU development will generate significant positive economic outcomes for the
       community both in the construction stages and the ongoing operation of new business activity.
       One of these positive economic benefits is long term employment generation.
       Development within the VMU will create new employment opportunities for retailing,
       entertainment, and office-based sectors. Importantly, the new jobs in professional, technical and
       administrative support would help to retain net employment outflows in those sectors.
       The EIA analysis shows that development of the VMU will generate approximately 500 direct
       employment positions, equivalent to nearly 380 fulltime equivalent (FTE) jobs once the use of
       casual and part-time positions is considered.

       Another 660 or so jobs would be generated indirectly through production linkages and
       consumption of wages income, much of which would be likely to involve local employment
       generation within Noosa Shire. Overall, around 1,045 FTE jobs would be generated as a result of
       the proposed development on the VMU precinct.

       The proposed Stage 2 Retail precinct would also generate a further 140 positions, or around 100
       jobs in FTE terms, with another 125 jobs created indirectly in the wider economy.

       When combined, the two applications represent a significant employment uplift involving 640
       new employed persons within the NBC, or nearly 480 jobs in FTE terms. With another 785 jobs
       created indirectly, the total potential uplift could be 1,270 jobs, noting that a sizeable share of the
       indirect employment effect would be felt outside the local region.

       It is also important to note that given the retail floorspace and mix of uses proposed in the
       amended VMU proposal and the Stage 2 Noosa Civic expansion proposal are consistent with the
       planning intent for the Retail Precincts identified in the Noosa Plan, and both proposals as far as
       practicably possible do not intrude into adjoining business precincts, it cannot be said that these
       proposals either singularly or combined are at the behest of potential future employment
       generation at the NBC. On the contrary, the delivery of the VMU and Stage 2 of the Noosa Civic
       will provide the critical amenity and services needed to underpin future business and innovation
       development within the NBC, and in particular attract and retain business and innovation industry
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