2022-11-14 GC Agenda - Item 4 - Attachment 1 - Short Term Accommodation Monitoring Report 2022

Part 2 – Pre commencement of Noosa Plan 2020
This part discusses the situation prior to the commencement of NP2020 on 31 July 2020. It
sets the baseline for the purpose of comparison with any changes that have occurred following
the introduction of NP2020 as it relates to housing, short-term accommodation, tourism,
economy and community.
This part will provide:
       an overview of the situation in Noosa and emerging issues during the life of Noosa
        Plan 2006 up to July 2020;
       statistics on the community, economy, employment and tourism;
       housing needs and issues identified in the 2017 Housing Needs Assessment;
       review of provisions in NP2006 relating to housing, visitor accommodation and
        tourism;
       tourist accommodation needs and issues identified in 2017 Housing Needs
        Assessment;
       the extent and type of tourist accommodation as at April 2020;
       findings and issues considered in the preparation of Noosa Plan 2020;
       provisions within the draft versions of NP2020 and community consultation issues;
       initial impacts from COVID 19 up to July 2020.


2.1 Noosa Overview 2006 - July 2020
Prior to and during the period between 2006 and the introduction of Noosa Plan 2020, Noosa
Shire experienced a great deal of change.
Noosa’s mild subtropical weather, outstanding landscape and rural hinterland backdrop to
Noosa River, Noosa Main Beach and the eastern beaches, positioned itself as a desirable
place to live, work and visit.
Noosa steadily grew from a series of small coastal and hinterland villages, productive rural
land and location for holidays, to a substantial resident community attracting primarily families
and retirees to a number of lifestyle opportunities.
With a growing population came increased demands for development and a range of housing
types, infrastructure, services and facilities, placing pressure on the environment.
During the preparation of Noosa Plan 2006 (NP2006) the community was very engaged with
the environment where a “population cap” or carrying capacity was identified to ensure Noosa
developed in a sustainable way.
The “Noosa style” was also established to ensure development sat lightly in a landscape
setting and became a guiding tool for new development. The Noosa style excluded big city
symbols such as traffic lights, large or neon signage and high rises and became a key part of
the distinct Noosa brand and lifestyle for both residents and visitors. Some of these low key,
low density elements were later encapsulated in the iconic values of Noosa provided for by
the Iconic Queensland Places Act 2008.
In 2007 the community was heavily involved in the designation of Noosa Shire as a Biosphere
Reserve under the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
and Man and the Biosphere program.
Around the introduction of NP2006, the urban area of Noosa experienced significant change
with a number of key development and infrastructure projects occurring including the
construction of Eenie Creek Road, Walter Hay Drive, Noosa Civic at the Shire Business
Centre, Noosaville industrial estate extension and a number of residential housing and tourist
accommodation projects.
Most of Noosa’s unit and townhouse developments were already established prior to NP2006
and contained a mix of both visitors and permanent residents. Remaining vacant urban
                                                                                          pg. 12
Noosa Council Monitoring Report 2022/23