2019-12-11 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                        11 DECEMBER 2019


1.5   Summary of significant changes

The primary key change made in response to many submissions related to how the draft plan
proposed to regulate short-term accommodation.

The draft plan as first released for community consultation included parts of Noosaville, Noosa
Heads and the coastal communities within a mapped Short Stay Area. Within this area where short-
term accommodation is already prevalent, the use was consistent and the scheme made it
relatively easy to establish (for instance was acceptable development in a dwelling house).
Conversely if located outside the mapped area, further consideration and assessment of short-
term accommodation as a new use was required via impact assessment.

After receiving hundreds of submissions on this approach, Council determined to remove the Short
Stay Area Maps, due to the perceived inequity in identification of some locations and not others
and take a more consistent approach in using the land use zones to specify whether the use was
consistent or not and what level of assessment would apply. A more rigorous approach was taken
to short-term accommodation in the residential zones and Council determined that short term
accommodation was an inconsistent use in the Local Density Residential zone.

However also in response to submissions more flexibility was provided to enable everyone to short
term let their properties occasionally. Residents wanted the opportunity for short term letting when
they are not in residence or to take advantage of peak holiday periods, it was considered that being
able to short term let for up to 60 days with no more than 4 occurrences throughout the year, is
appropriate.

In addition to these changes, a number of site specific zoning and overlay changes were made in
response to submissions, improved drafting and clarification of code provisions, refinement of
overlays and mapping, further provisions in response to business and industry submissions on
centres and industrial areas, and changes to provisions relating to coastal erosion.

The consultation report in Attachment 1 provides a full outline of consultation activities undertaken
during consultation specific to significant changes to the draft plan, however in summary
consultation included the following activities:

     The main display and consultation drop in office was at Pelican Place Tewantin (Council
      offices) - open between 9.00 and 2.00pm every week day.
     Track change version of ‘significant changes’ was available on Council’s “Your Say Noosa”
      website.
     Hard copies of the ‘proposed significant changes’ were available at Pelican Place, Council
      office Tewantin and at both the Cooroy and Noosaville libraries.
     Letters were sent to all submitters whose submissions resulted in significant changes to the
      planning scheme, advising them of the change and how to make a further submission.
     Letters were sent to properties proposed to have a zone change as a result of submissions.
     Extensive media advertising including radio and newspaper.
     Website, facts sheets and FAQs on ‘significant changes’.
     Social media campaign.
     Customer service and drop in ‘chat to a planner’ at Pelican St Tewantin – Customer
      service and drop in ‘chat to a planner’ at Pelican St Tewantin – visited by 75 people, 125
      phone enquiries and 60 email enquiries.
     Focus Group and Q and A session with short stay letting industry representatives.




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