MCU14/0106 & OPW15/0001 Town Planning Report & Appendix A Code Compliance

                                                                                                          Town Planning Report
                           28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville and parts of the road reserves of Hofmann Drive and Walter Hay Drive



The proposed development supports Council’s hierarchy of centres by providing an appropriate level of
additional retail and commercial services within the SBC, in an effort to promote its standing as the highest-
order centre within the Noosa Shire and as a MRAC under SEQRP 2009.
In order to achieve its intended sub-regional function, it is critical that the core retail component of the centre
expands to a size and composition which can provide the vitality and critical mass necessary to function as an
attractor for the employment-generating, civic and administrative activities which must co-locate and
consolidate the centre. In doing so it protects the medium- and long-term needs of the SBC by concentrating
employment and support business services in the centre.
Given the identified need and demand for the proposed development, it is appropriate that it be located on the
site, consistent with the role and function of the SBC. It has been demonstrated that the proposal will not
adversely impact upon the role and function of other centres in the hierarchy, which are resilient and which will
continue to achieve growth at least in line with inflation, if not more.
Further, the proposed development does not fetter future non-retail development at the SBC. Demand for
commercial office space in the SBC between 2013 and 2031 is estimated to be between 1,360m2 and 8,000m2
(Appendix K). A minimum of 65,769m2 of floor space remains available on future development sites for non-
retail development. The applicant has illustrated how 15,000m2 of commercial floor space can be
accommodated on the site in five, low-rise, low scale buildings at key gateway locations. A substantial amount
of land remains available for development, including a future transit stop. In considering a commercial office
scenario with 15,000m2 of floor space (Appendix L – Commercial Office Scenario and Supporting
Strategies), it is apparent that a significant amount of non-retail floor space can be accommodated in the SBC
at full development, in a number of low-scale, low-rise buildings which adhere to the plot ratios and site cover
requirements specified in The Noosa Plan for each of the precincts in which future development is proposed.
The proposed development therefore reinforces the planned centres hierarchy by:
         providing the vitality and critical mass necessary to attract the employment-generating, civic,
          administrative and transit activities and thus achieve its intended role and function within the centres
          hierarchy;
         not fettering the accommodation of employment-generating, civic, administrative and transit activities
          on the site.

8.6           Improved Connectivity
The proposed development will improve connections within and external to the site.
The proposed development will complete the internal loop road to the east of the development area and extend
Hofmann Drive to Walter Hay Drive.
The proposed development will introduce a new entrance to the site off the southern roundabout on Walter
Hay Drive.
The proposed development will improve connectivity between the existing centre and the expansion and
beyond by including a pedestrian link over Covenant J which aligns with pedestrian paths though to SBC
Precinct E6.
The proposed development includes pedestrian pathways through the development area.
The proposed development promotes wildlife movement through Covenant J to Eenie Creek by replacing a
low lying flooded culvert.

8.7           Improved Public Amenity
The proposed development will improve public amenity on site.
A landscaped arbour will be constructed along the northern façade of the existing Noosa Civic shopping centre
to provide additional softening of the existing built form.
A landscaped Civic Plaza, with a feature play/art space, open grassed area, boardwalk, planted arbour,
artwork elements, informal seating and path zone and retained and enhanced native plantings, will provide a
space for chance encounters, formal and informal functions, and passive and active recreation opportunities.



December 2014                                          Cardno HRP                                                           75