L06 Response to submissions · 132007.2446.03

     27 Nebula Street
     Sold April 2015 $690 000.00
     Valuation Estimator $1.600 000.00

     29 Nebula Street
     1990 sold $68 000.00
     Valuation Estimator $870 - $1.100 000.00

2.   Noise levels will increase. Existing noise disturbs residents – The main area of complaints
     relates to the use of the rear courtyard of the three units by the residents of the units. The
     applicant advises that the existing three units are lawfully established on site with each unit
     currently rented out as a self contained dwelling unit by related groups of people. The rear unit
     is generally rented by people who work both in town as well as the adjoining backpackers and
     is not part of Noosa Flashpackers. No individual beds are not rented out to travellers and
     tenants currently have a lease with the owner of the site.
     The applicant advises that as the units are currently being used as standard rental units is is
     difficult to enforce restrictions on how the units can be used by any tenants. The applicant has
     however advised that they have asked the tenants to be mindful of the neighbours and restrict
     any noise after 9pm.
     The applicant highlights that the new proposal proposes removal of the existing courtyard at
     the rear of the site adjacent to the neighbouring properties. The applicant also stresses that
     the application will involve the relocation of all common outdoor areas to the front of the site
     away from neighbours to a covered and walled area.
     The applicant advises that a recent discussion (17 August 2018) between the applicant and
     the neighbour of U1/25 Nebula Street has seen a trial move of a smoking area on the existing
     Flashpackers site, away from the rear of the hostel site which has resulted in a decrease in
     night time ambient noise. The applicant advises that as a result of further feedback from the
     neighbour the private downstairs rooms with outside courtyards of the hostel have now been
     designed non-smoking (removing ashtrays) and no music areas, with signs installed in each
     room to reinforce the need to respect neighbours and quiet areas after 9pm.
     Many of the complaints that are made in the submissions relate to the tenants of the units
     being noisy in their chatter and behaviour between 7pm and midnight since November 2016.
     The applicant acknowledges this, but respectfully advises it is not part of the hostel and as
     such has limited control over tenant behaviour. By becoming part of the hostel site as proposed
     the applicant will have total control over the use of the rear courtyard and staff behaviour after
     hours.
     Below is a copy of the police log that outlines the complaints received. The applicant advises
     that on four occasions management called the police due to the following:

        23/3/12     -   No offence detected - unacceptable behaviour of a guest
        21/8/12     -   No offence detected
        22/9/13     -   No offence detected - vagrant local woman trying to check in
        18/3/14     -   No offence detected
         3/3/15     -   No offence detected - Unacceptable behaviour of a guest
        18/5/15     -   No offence detected
         1/8/15     -   No offence detected - an Australian identified as ‘wanted by Police”
         7/9/15     -   No offence detected
        3/11/16     -   No offence detected - First night of 106 units rented
         8/7/17     -   No offence detected
        24/12/17    -   No offence detected
        16/2/18     -   Noise Abatement Direction given – no further complaints.
        21/5/18     -   No offence detected.