2021-09-07 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       7 SEPTEMBER 2021


      Part of the site is subject to the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay which includes
      a mapped waterways and a riparian buffer area. Noting the distance of the dwelling from the
      riparian buffer and the steep topography of the site the proposed use of the existing dwelling
      for the purpose of short term accommodation is unlikely to create additional pressures on the
      site’s environmental values. It is anticipated that visitors to the property would generally confine
      their activities to the dwelling and the immediate surrounding area. Accordingly it is not
      reasonable to require the applicant to rehabilitate the riparian buffer or the area adjacent to the
      waterway.
The condition requiring the rehabilitation of the waterway was included by Council in deciding the
application.
At the time the application was publicly notified 1 properly made submission was received. The
submitter supported the application.
2.    ASSESSMENT
An assessment in relation to the submitted representations is provided below:
Condition 23
That the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Values 10m either side of the mapped waterway be enhanced
over the next 5 (five) years by progressively removing or controlling listed pest species and replacing
them with local native species providing an annual progress report to the reasonable satisfaction of
Council.
Applicant’s Representation
With respect to the importance of the management and conservation of the waterways in the Kin Kin
area, we are a little unclear why this condition relates to an application for a STA permit.
      (I)     The waterway, of which I am not familiar with, although owning the property for 27 years,
              is in a fairly inaccessible location, with extremely steep slopes, has rain forest trees on
              both sides, and is a considerable distance from the house.
              To have this area maintained and enhanced over a 5-year period as a condition by
              Council would be a financial strain on a new venture, considering we would require
              assistance with the ongoing maintenance and annual progress reporting.
      (ii)    If we decided to sell the property with the permit for STA within the given period, the
              conditions placed upon us could be detrimental to the sale if the prospective buyer was
              not prepared to continue with the conditions set out by Council.
      (iii)   There is no correlation between the number of people occupying the property
              permanently or on a short-term basis in relation to the impact to the waterway, in fact
              there could be less impact on the waterway with STA.
              In our opinion, given the conditions imposed by Council, there would be very little
              difference in net income generated comparing a STA to a permanent rental property.
              The property is in an ideal location for a STA in the hinterland, and has a very relaxed
              feel sitting on top of a hill amongst the tress with many birds and wildlife, it is close to the
              Noosa trail, and has many restaurants, cafes and breweries, and is close to the Eumundi
              and Pomona markets.
              It offers a great alternative to the experience of the Noosa beach accommodation, and I
              believe it would work well as a hinterland home stay, a 40 minute drive from Noosa.
Assessment of Representation
Acceptable Outcome AO6.2 of the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code requires
land within 10 metres of a mapped waterway to be rehabilitated for the purpose of protecting
biodiversity and ecosystem values. Whilst is acknowledged that rehabilitation of waterways is an
important component of the Noosa Plan 2020 in this instance the specific attributes of the site and
the nature of the proposed use raise some issues with the requirement to rehabilitate a 20-metre
wide corridor along the waterway.

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