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

In the Low Density Residential Zone, Rural Residential Zone and Rural Zone, the home-based
business was accepted development subject to requirements of the Home-Based Business
Code.
Visitors had to be accommodated within a building and not a tent, caravan or other recreational
vehicle on or around the property.
Caravan / RV parking
The use of a property for visitors accommodated in tents or caravan / RV homes was defined
as a Tourist Park and included the use of a premises for holiday accommodation in caravans,
self-contained cabins, tents or other similar structures, including camping ground, caravan
park or holiday cabins. Generally, planning approval was required in all zones except for the
Rural Zone.
In the Rural Zone lots at least 10 hectares in area could have up to 5 fully self-contained
recreational vehicles, for no more than 4 consecutive nights without planning approval. No
ablutions or amenities were to be provided and the Visitor Accommodation Code set out
specific requirements to be met.
Rural / nature-based accommodation and farm stays
With the exception of the above, other forms of glamping, lodges, cottages or cabins may have
fallen within the definition of nature-based tourism. This form of accommodation specifically
offers tourist accommodation for the appreciation, conservation or interpretation of an area of
environmental, cultural or heritage value, local ecosystem, or the natural environment. These
include environmentally responsible / small footprint accommodation. Various requirements in
the Rural Zone Code and the Visitor Accommodation Code had to be met.
In the Rural Zone small scale nature-based tourism uses are possible without planning
approval providing:
   •   the site is at least 4 hectares in area;
   •   it is not located on Agricultural Land Conservation Area;
   •   it is for no more than 2 guest rooms, cottages, cabins or permanent tents;
   •   it accommodates no more than 8 guests; and
   •   it doesn’t incorporate conference or function facilities.
For between 8 and 12 guests, or in the Rural Residential Zone, a code assessment planning
application was required. Impact assessment was required for any larger operation such as
an ecolodge.
If the accommodation type did not meet the definition of nature-based tourism the use could
be defined as ‘short-term accommodation’ or a ‘tourist park’ and planning approval required.


Tourist accommodation zone allocation
In an attempt to deal with the legacy issues of past planning schemes and to better align the
intended use of properties for either visitor accommodation or permanent resident occupation,
multiple dwelling sites were included within the Tourist accommodation zone or within the
Medium or High Density Residential zone.
The purpose of the Tourist Accommodation Zone was to provide for short-term visitor
accommodation supported by a mix of business activities to create a vibrant atmosphere and
enhance the visitor experience such as cafes, restaurants, entertainment, boutiques and
personal services.
The application of the Tourism Accommodation zone was generally applied to locations and
sites identified, approved or preferred for visitor accommodation. Hastings Street, Duke Street,
Gympie Terrace, specific resorts or other sites were included in the zone for long-term
retention as visitor accommodation. Notwithstanding this, as noted earlier multiple dwellings
were however a consistent use in the zone, except for key visitor only nominated sites.
                                                                                        pg. 168
Noosa Council Monitoring Report 2022/23