2015-09-15 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              15 SEPTEMBER 2015


In regard to “Economy and Employment” the Sunshine Coast narrative includes:
Emphasis is required on the Sunshine Coast towards promoting further employment growth and
diversification to avoid a jobs shortfall by 2031. Development Areas will provide high levels of self-
containment and employment diversity to assist in achieving employment growth.
The Sunshine Coast seeks a diversified, viable, interdependent and self-sufficient urban and rural
economic base that maximises local job creation and employment options, and builds economic
strength and resilience. Innovation, knowledge-based and creative industries, research and
development, health, tourism and sport are all essential to the Sunshine Coast’s economic
development.
Retail and commercial employment dominates in the regional activity centres of Maroochydore,
Noosa, Nambour, Kawana Waters, Caloundra and Sippy Downs. To create more employment
opportunities, as well as accommodating further residential growth, centres on the Sunshine Coast
will provide for a mix of land uses in a compact form with easy access to public transport.
…
Service areas in and around Caloundra, Maroochydore, Kawana, Nambour and Noosa will
continue to provide local economic and employment opportunities to encourage self-containment.
The sub-region has a number of employment and enterprise areas, including industrial precincts
at Nambour, Yandina, Kunda Park, Forest Glen, Noosa, Cooroy and Beerwah. Service industry
areas are located around Caloundra, Maroochydore, Kawana, Nambour and Noosa.
…
The expansion of science and technology opportunities at the Noosa Business Centre Technology
and Industrial Hub will also facilitate employment growth and diversity.
The Sunshine Coast economic and employment narrative, and its references to the Noosa
Business Centre, broadly reflect and support The Noosa Plan’s desire to develop the Centre’s
balance lands for non-retail business and employment opportunities. The application does not
provide detailed comment or assessment about whether the development aligns with the SEQRP
but does repeatedly state there is very limited identified need or demand for diversified commercial
businesses floor space on the balance lands within the centre. This level of need is discussed
further in Section 3.4 of this report. Notwithstanding the applicant’s position on the level of need,
the proposed retail expansion is considered to conflict with the SEQRP’s aim to provide diversified
business opportunities at the NBC to broaden Noosa’s economy and provide new employment
generators. It is also notable that the scale
The SEQRP, Part D – Regional Policies includes Desired Regional Outcomes sought for the region
and identifies principles, programs and actions to achieve the outcomes. The location of the
proposed shopping centre expansion within an identified MRAC means the development is broadly
consistent with most of the Desired Regional Outcomes, which address urban form, environmental,
natural resources, transport and cultural heritage matters. However, the development raises
significant conflicts with the Outcomes relating to employment location and infrastructure, as
detailed below.
    Desired Regional Outcome 9 – Employment Location seeks to:
      Plan for employment to support a strong, resilient and diversified economy that grows
      prosperity in the region by using its competitive advantages to deliver exports, investment
      and sustainable and accessible jobs.




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