2015-09-15 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 15 SEPTEMBER 2015


3.5. Tourism
It is relevant to consider the development within the context of Noosa’s tourism industry, which is
critical to the area’s economy. The submitted retail economic assessment indicates the expanded
shopping centre will benefit from continued tourism growth to the area. The development may
provide some minor tourism benefits flowing from the provision of a larger centre providing a “rainy
day” destination. Generally speaking though, a shopping centre is not a tourism attractor for
Noosa, with the majority of visitors having ample facilities where they live. Perhaps the best
opportunity for tourist visitation lies in delivering a shopping centre with a significantly different look
and feel to most, with strong connections to its natural setting, similar to the way in which Noosa
Fair was enjoyed by visitors before its rainforest and ponds were removed.
While there may be some minor tourism “upside”, potential impacts on other centres, particularly
Noosa Junction, could significantly outweigh the benefits. Noosa Junction was observed to decline
and struggle to regain occupancies and vitality through the original opening of Noosa Civic and
subsequent GFC. New competitive impacts may compound the difficulties experienced in the
centre and cause further decline. The area plays a key role in the perceived character and vitality
of Noosa both for locals and visitors.
3.6. Grounds to Support the Application Despite Planning Conflicts
Given the extent of the development’s conflict with planning provisions for the site, it is crucial
grounds be identified that overcome the conflicts. Section 329 of the Sustainable Planning Act
2009 requires sufficient grounds must exist to justify a decision, despite a conflict with a relevant
instrument. Grounds are simply defined in the SPA as matters of public interest and can be taken
to include matters such as: planning instruments that are incorrect or have been overtaken by
events (i.e. are out of date); outcomes that address identified community need; and outcomes that
provide overriding community benefit.
The applicant acknowledges the need for such grounds and identifies 10 summary grounds it
considers sufficient to justify the development, discussed below.
3.6.1. Assessment of Applicant’s Grounds for Approval
Identified Need / Demand
1.    There is an identified economic and community need and demand for the proposed
      expansion due to existing high levels of escape spending and anticipated increases in
      population, retail spending and forecast growth.
Assessment – Disagree
The application provides a simplified picture of the associated reasons for escape from the Noosa
Civic catchment. The issue is more complex and influenced by the ongoing primacy of the
Maroochydore PAC, the relative convenience of Maroochydore and other centres, and the
dispersed nature of employment on the Sunshine Coast.
Acceptance of the applicant’s position that escape spending must be addressed would in future
necessitate the continued retail growth at Noosa Civic to try and counter the significant growth
planned to occur at the Maroochydore PAC, which will include the expansion of Sunshine Plaza
and the creation of a new CBD.
The development ignores a number of important approved or future developments in the catchment
area that affect need levels and impacts. The development also appears to rely significantly on
growth to the south around Peregian Springs and Coolum. As such, retail expansion may be better
provided closer to these communities, in particular for supermarkets.




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