Mcu 61-0081 Msj

18-12-2016

The Assessment Manager
Noosa Council

Submission on MCU 16/0081

Multiple Housing Type 3- Retirement and Special Needs
28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville
Part of lot 3 on SP246584
J & G Knowles and Associates Pty Ltd C/- Project Urban



I object to the granting of approval for the above application on the following grounds –


I am deeply concerned about the impacts of building a 90-bed aged-care facility on high quality
designated koala habitat land, and the Noosa Plan should not be overlooked to accommodate this
development.

There are potential conflicts with the Noosa Plan 2006, notably specific outcomes O8 (max 1
storey), O16 (plot ratio), O89 (use), and O167 (use), of the Noosaville Locality Code, which direct
the use away from the applicable zones.

The application was also referred to the State Assessment and Referral Agency because it
apparently exceeded the threshold for residential care facility in LGA population 2.

The proponents maintain that these potential conflicts should be overridden due to the perceived
need for extra aged care beds, of which there will be an apparent shortfall of some 251 beds by
2026.
I understand that Noosa Council has acknowledged the shortage of aged care beds and the lack
of suitable land for such facilities, but I maintain that approval of this application would set a
precedent for future incompatible applications over areas set aside for Open Space/Conservation.

The current zoning of the site covers two zones, Shire Business Centre and Open Space
Conservation, the latter probably being due to the fact that it adjoins the Noosa National Park.

The consultants, Core, and Cardno, apparently found no threatened species on the site, but I
maintain that the site would be valuable as an adjunct foraging and roosting area for many
species due to its boundary with the Noosa National Park.

The Park is designated as Regional Ecosystem 12.9-10.1, containing high ecosystem diversity,
and fauna would inevitably move back and forth.

I have concerns that an aged care facility is intended to be built in such a location as it is included
in the ‘medium bushfire hazard’ area under Council’s Noosaville Natural Hazard Bushfire Overlay
Map, which covers land in all directions immediately adjacent to the subject site.

Would there be the ability for speedy evacuation of the residents of the complex in the case of a
bushfire, noting that the proposal is for a 2 storey building, and is a large complex of interlinked
buildings?