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

The Strategies for visitor facilities were quite detailed with Noosa Heads and Noosaville
identified as the principal focus for visitor accommodation growth with some sites identified for
visitors only, at the exclusion of permanent residents. Visitor accommodation zones, in
Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach, as well as Noosaville and Noosa Heads, were additionally
identified for visitor accommodation with a mix of business to benefit visitors. The streetscape
and built form in these areas was identified as particularly important as having a direct effect
on the character of Noosa – and therefore the tourism industry.
Visitor attractions were identified throughout Noosa shire focused on the natural assets.
Various forms of visitor accommodation in the rural and hinterland areas were also envisaged
by NP2006.
Relevant strategies from the Strategic framework are contained in Appendix 5 to this report.


2.6.3 Desired Environmental Outcomes
The desired environment outcomes of NP2006 were based on ecological sustainability as
defined by the Integrated Planning Act at the time of its preparation, requiring development to
achieve the outcomes. The only relevant DEO’s for this report were residential uses and
tourism. Interestingly the DEOs had more to say about tourism and the provision visitor
accommodation than housing for permanent residents.
Residential DEOs
The key Residential DEOs relevant to this report sought to provide Noosa’s population with
access to a broad range of safe, secure and affordability housing catering to current and
projected populations and responding to the changing housing needs of the community, whilst
also being separated from incompatible land uses and not impacting the amenity of residential
neighbourhoods.
The DEOs also stated that urban and rural settlement not only satisfy the needs and
aspirations of residents, but in many cases also meet the requirements of visitors.
Tourism DEOs
The Tourism DEOs focused on what tourism development should achieve including
contributing to the economic well being of Noosa Shire, and (optimistically) benefitting local
residents and enhancing residential amenity.
The DEOs sought to retain a range of visitor accommodation choices which included camping
grounds, caravan parks, backpacker hostels, hotels, motels, resorts, B&Bs, guesthouses and
serviced apartments, and that development should avoid mixing long term accommodation for
residents with short-term accommodation for visitors to avoid potential conflicts and the
erosion of visitor accommodation.
The DEOS also stated development was to reduce impacts on resident lifestyle and visitor
experiences from peak tourist periods by spreading visitor load over longer periods.
Overall the Residential and Tourism DEOs were somewhat conflicting by seeking to provide
both access to a broad range of affordable housing for Noosa’s population, but at the same
time meeting the accommodation requirements of visitors. The interrelationship between the
two uses were not fully appreciated and avoiding mixing residents was more about the erosion
of visitor accommodation and the visitor experience, rather than the erosion of resident
housing or residential amenity.
These DEOs were somewhat in response to visitor accommodation showing strain due to
owners permanently occupying or permanently renting units impacting the operation of
management right business and tourist activities in resorts. Interestingly, the potential erosion
of visitor accommodation appeared to be more important than the provision of housing for
residents at the time. Conversely, impacts from visitors occupying traditional residential
neighbourhoods had not been felt.
                                                                                          pg. 52
Noosa Council Monitoring Report 2022/23