MCU22 0209 APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION [As Published]

               PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                                    11 APRIL 2023


               visitors recognising visitors interests and priorities are not always compatible with residential
               amenity. These strategies are also reflected in the planning scheme’s assessment tables and
               codes by identifying short term accommodation as an inconsistent use in the Low Density
               Residential zone and requiring that medium and high density residential zoned areas remain home
               to predominantly permanent residents.
               Within the hinterland, the Strategic Intent states that the focus is directed towards high
               quality nature-based and rural tourism experiences and events to diversify and balance the visitor
               experience across Noosa Shire and promote the hinterland. The Tourism Strategy Noosa 2017-
               2022 prepared by Tourism Noosa supports this focus by encouraging and promoting hinterland,
               nature-based experiences to help disperse visitors throughout the region with a focus on ‘quality’
               experiences that attract high spending interstate and international visitors to the region.
               Accordingly, in the hinterland for rural zoned land, nature based tourism is identified as accepted
               development subject to requirements or code assessable, with short term accommodation as code
               assessable or consistent impact assessable. Visitor accommodation in the hinterland is supported
               by the planning scheme but is required to be low density and small scale and not impact on rural
               activities, or the amenity, character or environmental values of the area.
               The proposed short term accommodation does not offend the Strategic Intent and Outcomes of
               the Noosa Plan 2020, but it also does not necessarily offer or advance the ‘nature based and rural
               tourism experience’ intended by the Strategic Framework, being on a 2.93ha lot and located in
               proximity to coastal areas.
               3.5. Overlay Codes
               The subject site is identified on Council’s Overlay Maps as containing vegetation of biodiversity
               significance, located within a bushfire hazard area and being within the water supply buffer and
               resource catchment area for Lake Macdonald.
               Assessment of the proposal against the Overlay Codes has not been undertaken as the Noosa
               Plan assessment tables do not require assessment, given the proposed short term accommodation
               will be contained within an existing dwelling and no works or vegetation removal are proposed.
               Notwithstanding this, it is noted that bore water, 2 large water tanks, a swimming pool and dam are
               located on site and can be utilised in the event of a fire, with access for emergency vehicles
               accessible direct from the service road.
               3.6. Rural Zone Code
               The proposal is consistent with the code’s applicable overall outcomes for houses to be ‘…
               available for short term guests where there is no resultant changes to the rural amenity or rural
               production of the area.’ The proposed short term accommodation is located within an existing
               dwelling and approximately 160m away from the closest dwelling, across Cooroy Noosa Road.
               The site and land in the immediate area are also not used for rural production and are unlikely to
               be in the future, given the lots are small in size.
               The proposal is also consistent with the applicable performance outcome of the Code, with no
               corresponding acceptable outcome included in the Code.
               PO4
               Visitor accommodation:
               a) is at a small scale and low density that protects the environmental and rural values of the
                    land;
               b) is compatible with rural activities and nature conservation; and
               c) does not detract from the rural amenity of adjoining properties.
               The proposal is small in scale, will be compatible with the surrounding area and unlikely to detract
               from the rural amenity of adjoining properties. The proposal is limited to 5 bedrooms and no more
               than 8 persons on site at any one time. It is also located well away from neighbouring properties,
               screened by vegetation and set well back from the adjoining reserve to the east. Figure 6 below

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Document Set ID: 22324359
Version: 14, Version Date: 28/03/2023