MCU22/0118 – DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR A MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE – SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION AT 94 & 142 NOOSA DR, NOOSA HEADS (Referred from Planning & Environment Committee dated 7 November 2023 - Item 5.1) · ATTACHMENT 1 – OFFICER’S REPORT

The subject site is adjacent to Noosa Drive. The applicant has provided the following comment
in relation to PO4:
       ‘the proposed development will not have an impact upon the visual amenity and character
       of the surrounding major road network or entrance roads given the relatively small scale
       of the built form integrated within existing vegetation’
       ‘No vegetation is required to be removed from the Noosa Drive frontage with the exception
       of one (1) tree shown on Site Plan -Tree Retention/Removal. As discussed, the other trees
       are to be retained and the frontage is to be rehabilitated, including mid to high strata
       planting and scattered koala feed trees.’
Although the applicant is not proposing to remove vegetation within the road reserve, the
proposal will require significant under and mid storey vegetation removal across the entirety of
the site, in addition to the removal of existing mature native vegetation. The proposal does
include a planting plan which is proposed to include ‘dense planting along southern and eastern
boundary with suitable native species and mid to high strata screening’, however it is considered
the required vegetation removal would significantly ‘open up’ the site, with rehab planting likely
to take several years to achieve satisfactory screening of the development.
In addition, proposed cabins 6 to 15 create a development front of approximately 80m along the
Noosa Drive frontage, with each of the buildings being in excess of 8m in height. Although the
planting will provide some screening (upon reaching maturity), the proposal will be of a bulk and
scale that will still be highly visible from Noosa Drive.
The development will be visually dominate when viewed from Noosa Drive and will impact on
the visual amenity and character along Noosa Drive, detracting from one of the main entrances
into Noosa Heads.

Performance Outcomes                              Acceptable Outcomes

PO5                                               AO5
Development retains enhances the existing         Development retains and enhances existing
mature trees and character vegetation             mature trees and character vegetation
contributing to the vegetated backdrop,           contributing to the vegetated backdrop,
character and habitat values of the local area.   character and habitat values of the local plan
                                                  area, including:-
                                                  (a) Noosa National Park and Weyba Creek
                                                      conservation areas;
                                                  (b) the foreshore areas of the Noosa River,
                                                      Lake Weyba, Weyba Creek and their
                                                      associated riparian communities;

Assessment
The applicant has provided the following comment in relation to PO5:
       ‘the proposed development retains a significant number of mature trees, primarily koala
       habitat and other vegetation which contributes to the vegetated backdrop, character, and
       habitat values of the local area’
The proposal includes the removal of a minimum of 71 trees, up to a maximum of 82 (160 to be
retained), of which a minimum of 27, up to a maximum of 33, are koala trees (117 retained).
Although the proposal includes rehabilitation and revegetation of the site, the proposal to remove
up to 82 mature native trees (and mid and understorey growth) does not meet the requirement
to retain and enhance existing mature trees and character vegetation and will result in a
reduction in the vegetated backdrop, character and habitat values of the Weyba Creek area.
The proposal therefore does not comply with PO5.

Performance Outcomes                              Acceptable Outcomes

PO26                                              AO26


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