MCU22/0131 - APPLICATION FOR A HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE SERVICE (DAY SURGERY AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES) AT 47 GOODCHAP STREET, TEWANTIN · Report

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                        12 SEPTEMBER 2023


     Local Plan Area                Tewantin Local Plan

     Overlays                       Land subject to Acid Sulfate soils
                                    Bushfire Hazard – Potential Impact Buffer

     Assessment Type                Impact

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report assesses an application for a Hospital and Health Care service involving the use as a
day surgery and associated medical facilities at 47 Goodchap Street Tewantin. Two distinct buildings
are proposed on site including a single storey infusion centre at the site’s front (453m2) and a 2
storey day surgery at the rear (1083m2) over car parking. A total of 40 car spaces plus 2 motorcycle,
ambulance bay and 2 drop off spaces are proposed plus bicycle parking.

The site currently contains a residential dwelling and shares its boundaries with 7 residential
properties as well as the Noosa Hospital. Under the Noosa Plan 2020 it is zoned Low Density
Residential and is intended to house permanent residents and maintain a high level of amenity.

The proposed development is inconsistent with the site’s zoning intent and is contrary to many
provisions in the planning scheme including the Strategic Framework, Local Plans for Tewantin &
Noosaville and the applicable Use code, which all seek that the use of the hospital site is maximised,
and opportunities are explored for a more efficient use of the existing hospital site to meet the current
and future health needs of the community.

The proposed health facilities and day surgery could be accommodated, consistent with current
Community Facilities and Major Centre zonings, on a number of other sites within the Shire including
the Noosa Business Centre, Noosa Junction, the Mary Street/Thomas Street health precinct and
Maple Street Cooroy, negating the need to extend health services further into residential zoned
properties along Goodchap Street.

The proposal is not consistent with the residential zoning and sterilises the existing residential lot
which is zoned for residential development and needed to cater for future housing.

The proposed development is of a scale and character that is likely to adversely impact on residents’
amenity and the streetscape with a number of nearby residents raising concerns with the
proposal. The applicant has failed to demonstrate that sufficient parking will be provided on site to
meet the likely parking demands, and this is critical given the impacts the existing hospital car parking
overflow is having on Goodchap Street and residents.

The application is therefore recommended for refusal.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Acting Coordinator Planning to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 12 September 2023 regarding Application No. MCU22/0131 for a
Development Permit for Material Change of Use – Health care service & Hospital, situated at 47
Goodchap St Tewantin and:

A.    Refuse the application for the following reasons:
        1. The proposal conflicts with Section 3.3.2, strategic outcomes (k), (n) and Section 3.3.3,
        strategic outcome (a) of the Strategic Framework as:
                a. The proposal expands health care services further along Goodchap Street beyond
                the Noosa Hospital site and into a residential area.