2021-09-07 Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 7 SEPTEMBER 2021


Council to operate the Cottage as a community centre and Rotary’s home-base for meetings and
activities.
In 2018 the Noosa Community Garden members became an incorporated group, expanded their
membership and activities on site and began negotiations with Council for tenure of neighbouring
Lot 69 RP41223. Tenure was granted in 2020 (3 year Freehold Permit) expiring 20 February 2023.
The Noosa Social Services Hub was established in 2018 at Tait-Duke Community Cottage providing
a fortnightly drop-in centre where those facing hardship can access medical and social support
services in the one location. Demand for the Hub services increased, with further service providers
participating in the Hub.
In 2020 United Synergies rebranded as YouTurn Youth Support and expanded their Specialist
Homelessness Services and Emergency Relief Program. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic,
Council and YouTurn partnered to upgrade laundry and shower facilities at YouTurn to meet the
growing demand of service support for people experiencing homelessness.
YouTurn, Noosa Social Services Hub and Northern Sunshine Coast Social Services Network
agencies have reported substantial increases in the demand for support services and emergency
relief by people experiencing homelessness. YouTurn alone have reported a 200% increase in the
number of emergency relief presentations.
With limited accommodation services for at-risk youth in Noosa, local organisations had been
seeking opportunities to undertake projects which fill the key gap being transitioning from emergency
accommodation to independent living. YouTurn began to explore the feasibility of Tiny Homes for
short-term, transitional housing to young families requiring homelessness support to transition to
independent living.
YouTurn launched their “Big Hearts for Tiny Homes” fundraising campaign in 2020 and approached
Council to assist in identifying potential sites for a Tiny Homes project in Noosa Shire.
Since early 2021, Noosa Community Garden Executive Committee and individual members have
consistently approached Council expressing their concern about the increasing number and
activities of people who are experiencing homelessness in the Earl Street precinct. In a written
request for assistance, Noosa Community Garden President stated that members felt unsafe while
undertaking their gardening activities and that this incompatibility of use in the precinct had resulted
in a loss of membership, financial capacity and was impacting the health and wellbeing of members.
Council officers have been in consultation with the Noosa Community Garden Executive to develop
options which will resolve the concerns of their members.
2. Summary of the Proposal
YouTurn have made a formal request to Council to consider Earl Street as a suitable location for two
(2) tiny homes to provide supported short-term housing for vulnerable young people transitioning
from emergency accommodation to independent living.
In response to the approaches to Council by Noosa Community Garden and YouTurn, Council has
considered:
     Noosa Community Garden members’ ability to undertake their gardening activities with a
      feeling of safety and to continue operating with financial stability;
     The projected increase in demand for support from people experiencing homelessness across
      the Shire;
     Vulnerable people's challenges in accessing housing and support services in an appropriate
      environment, and
     Identified need for transitional housing for young people in Noosa Shire.
i)    Noosa Community Garden relocation
Following the review of the concerns of the community garden members, a relocation of the Noosa
Community Garden was recommended and Wallace Park identified as a viable site for relocation.


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