C23-035 - Emerald - RFI Response Letter

12th January 2023

Our Ref: C23‐035
LCC Ref: OPW22/0316

Noosa Council
PO Box 151
Tewantin QLD 4565

Attention: Daniel Epps

Re: Response to Council Information Request for development at 2 Emerald Street, Cooroy QLD 4563.

Please find information below in response to Council’s Information Request dated 10th January 2023;

Issue – Footpath Connectivity
Engineering recognises that the batter between the proposed footpath and existing back of kerb complies with the maximum grade
of 1:6 as described in RS‐065. However, it is unclear from the submitted documentation how pedestrians will access the proposed
Emerald Street footpath from the existing on‐street carparks.

Council believes that the accessibility between the existing on‐street carparks and the shop frontage can be improved. For example,
reducing (flattening) the grade between the back of kerb and the footpath by lowering the finished level of the proposed footpath
and increasing the grade of the landscape section.

Information Required
     1. Provide additional detail demonstrating how pedestrians will access the proposed footpath from the existing carparks along
         Emerald Street. The additional detail must be certified by a suitably qualified person (RPEQ – Registered Professional
         Engineer of Queensland) and comply with all relevant standards (including DDA requirements) and include, but not be
         limited to:

         a. provide comment demonstrating that all other reasonable designs have been considered with pedestrian connectivity
         and safety as a priority.
         Response: Grades between the existing back of kerb and proposed footpath are a maximum of 1:8. There was a small
         section at the eastern transition of 1:6 which has now been amended to 1:8 also. Adopting a gradient of 1:8 allows
         DDA compliant grades to be achieved at the transitions to existing at either end of the frontage and access to the
         proposed development. This is also compliant with the permissible public egress requirements of the NCC (Section D
         – Access and Egress). Visitors can reasonably walk up the footpath verge as permitted by the NCC. PWD access would
         be anticipated from the dedicated onsite parking as there is no PWD spaces in the street and the kerb hinders
         wheelchair access. The proposed is a significant improvement on existing conditions.

Issue – Footpath Material
The submitted documentation indicates that the proposed Emerald Street footpath is to be reconstructed with concrete. Council
wishes to preserve the ‘Cooroy Character’ along Emerald Street by continuing the footpath with a similar brick paving finish to match
the existing Infrastructure Palette.

Information Required
     2. Provide an amended plan indicating that the proposed Emerald Street footpath will be constructed using a similar brick
         paving finish to the existing footpath to the east. The amended plan must be prepared by suitably qualified person (RPEQ –
         Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland) and include, but not be limited to:

         a. bricks must be either:
                    i. Monier PGH Terracotta Brick Pavers (no longer produced); or
                    ii. terracotta brick pavers of a similar size and colour.
         Response: It is preferred that concrete pavement is adopted for the footpath rather than brick pavers. This is consistent
         with the existing footpath material in front of the subject site, continuing to the west and also outside of the shops
         immediately adjacent the other side of Emerald Street (Emerald Chambers). The use of concrete does not conflict with any
         requirements of the Noosa Planning Scheme and pavers are not a requirement of the Development Approval. Concrete will