2014-06-17 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                                     17 JUNE 2014


REPORT
1.    Introduction
The Noosa Plan Driveway and Carparking Code stipulates the minimum vehicle parking
requirements for development. The Code includes a number of overall outcomes which include:
 Development does not adversely impact on existing public parking
 Development reduces the reliance on private vehicles and promotes public and non-
   motorised transport options
The amount of carparking required to be provided onsite is dependent upon the type of
development (eg office, hotel, shops, units etc) and the scale of the development.
For many years including from at least 1991 to September 2013 a policy was in place to guide
Council when assessing a development application that sought to make a monetary contribution
in lieu of the provision of onsite parking. The most recent policy was Planning Scheme Policy 13
“Contributions in Lieu of the Provision of off-street parking” (PSP13). PSP 13 was only applied
where development was located on property within a Business Centre, Visitor Mixed Use,
Neighbourhood Centre, or Village Mix zone under the Noosa Plan. It did not apply to
development within a residential zone.

For many years to obtain the contribution, in accordance with PSP13 or other similar policy, a
condition was imposed; however as a result of amendments to the Sustainable Planning Act on 1
July 2011 Council is no longer permitted to impose a condition that requires a monetary
contribution for non-trunk infrastructure. Consequently an alternative approach has been to apply
PSP13 and when appropriate develop a voluntary “Infrastructure Agreement” with the applicant
during the information request period. In this situation the agreement is signed upon Council
approval of the application and is permissible by general law principles.

In May 2013 the state required the removal of PSP13 from the Noosa Plan as a result of the
introduction of the Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP) and its subsequent conflict with the State
Regulatory Provision (adopted charges) 2012 and section 347(1)(b) of the Sustainable Planning
Act. As a result there is no policy position to guide the development sector and/or Council
planning officers as to whether a contribution in lieu of onsite parking may be an acceptable
solution. The purpose of this report is to seek direction from Council on this matter.


2.    Contributions in lieu of off street parking options
One option is for Council to refuse all applications where the applicant is unable to meet the
carparking requirements. As a result of this approach the construction of onsite car parking
becomes a priority which is, to some extent, in conflict with promoting the use of public transport.
Further this approach may stifle development and redevelopment within the existing business
areas of Noosa Shire and risks sending a message to developers, and the community, that
accommodating vehicles is a priority within Noosa Shire even though it conflicts with ecological
sustainability objectives.

Alternatively, as outlined above, contributions may be sought in lieu of onsite off-street parking
via a voluntary “Infrastructure Agreement” whereby the applicant agrees to make a contribution
as compensation for transferring their carparking obligations from the development to the
community. This approach provides flexibility and circumstances where a contribution in lieu of
the provision of off-street parking may be desirable are outlined in points (a) to (e) below.




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