Council submission TL

Noosa Council
PO Box 141
Tewantin QLD. 4565
By email only: [email protected]
Application Ref. 132008.176.05

PROPOSED RESORT COMPLEX – 3&7 SERENITY CLOSE, NOOSA HEADS

I am writing to object to the proposed change of approval to the development of the site at 3 & 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads.
I am the owner of a property on the corner of Grant Street and Banksia Avenue, that directly adjoins the site of the proposed development.
I note at the outset that this is a proposed change to the original approval of 109 dwelling units and 90 accommodation units approved in 2010 by the amalgamated Sunshine Coast Council. I believe this was an excessive and inappropriate development for Noosa taken at that time without due consideration on the adverse impact to the area.
The amended proposal is of a similar scale with the added complexity of a resort operating on a 24/7 basis resulting in a much greater movement of people and traffic.
The overdevelopment of this site will have the following adverse impacts:
Significant increase in traffic
Loss of bushland, bio diversity and wildlife habitat
Loss of neighborhood amenity for existing residents

Significant increase in traffic
The only access to the proposed development is via Grant Street or off the northbound lane of Noosa Drive onto Katharina Street. Both roads are small “local only” roads that cannot be widened.
Most traffic uses Grant Street as Katharina Street is in practice one way because of parked cars, and the exit onto Noosa Drive is steep with limited visibility.
This means that most of the traffic will exit from Grant Street onto the roundabout of Noosa Drive and Sunshine Beach Road. This is a major and busy roundabout where traffic often builds up in Grant Street waiting to safely enter the roundabout.
As previously stated, the exit via Katharina Street does not provide a better alternative.
The proposed development will greatly increase the traffic which will lead to traffic jams on Grant Street. It is likely to also increase traffic at night due to the operation of the proposed resort that has 195 rooms, restaurants and shops.
As well the roundabout that joins Grant Street and Banksia Avenue is small and is in constant use, so this will cause another traffic problem. The developers are proposing that guests enter and exit the resort straight off Grant Street and suppliers continue around to Serenity Close. This will overload the roundabout and there will be limited vision for those exiting the resort.
For residents that live near this roundabout there is currently significant traffic noise, particularly with trucks, due to the need to slow down, change gears and negotiate a tight corner.
Traffic has increased over the past few years in this area due to more units being completed in Serenity Close and constant building work being undertaken in the area.
I do not believe the roads and area can handle significantly more traffic which would be generated by the building and operation of this resort.

Loss of bushland, bio diversity, and habitat
The bushland area in the proposed development has a range of trees and vegetation, some of which are mature with important hollows for wildlife. This area has already lost bushland through the building of the residences in Settlers Cove (and I note there was vandalism of mature trees last year in front of one of the new residences).
A lot of wildlife can be observed in this area, including a diverse range of birdlife, reptiles, and even large animals like kangaroos. It is probable that koalas are there as well.
The subject site covers 2.4 hectares, most of which is bushland. I note from a plan for the proposed resort that this will be cleared with minimal vegetation kept around the resort. The developers state that they will retain 6 metres of bush verge along serenity Close but this vegetation will most likely be smaller “landscaped” plants that will not provide a habitat for existing animals. Artist’s impressions of how the resort could look confirm this.
Another concern is the site slopes down to wetlands that run down to the river which is an important habitat and one that will be adversely affected by run off from the resort. Also, during the construction phase, “estimated” to take 2 years by the developers, there could be catastrophic run-off should there be a major rain event, which is a strong possibility. The wetlands would never recover from that.

Loss of neighborhood amenity for existing residents
As previously outlined the increased traffic over extended hours will adversely affect existing residents. Grant Street is narrow with properties close to the road and the noise will be a significant issue. There is not a continuous footpath for pedestrians along it, which is particularly concerning at night.
The building of a large resort of this type over a prolonged period will generate a lot of traffic, particularly large trucks. This has been the case with the building of Settlers Cove residences where there are endless convoys of trucks taking excavated material away and then convoys of concrete trucks coming in, often starting before 7.00am. There are also deliveries of building materials like reinforcing steel that are brought in by semi-trailers that must cross the roundabout at the end of Grant Street.
It will be an extremely noisy and busy period for residents and visitors. Dust from the site will also be a problem.
Currently the path that leads from Banksia Avenue down to the river is enjoyed and utilised by residents from the many streets around this area. Walking dogs, enjoying the natural bushland, or going down to the river to fish are some of the many activities undertaken.
There is not another path like this in this area.
The path might still be there after the resort is built but the plan shows the 15-metre high, four-story development will be right next to this path. A significant change to what is there now.
The operation of a large 195 room resort will be 24/7 and there will be increased noise late into the night, particularly in busy holiday times. The proposed plans show a function facility directly adjoining Banksia Avenue. What functions will take place and what time will they go to? How many people will be attending these functions along with all the guests staying at the resort? These are critical issues that will affect the current amenity for both residents and visitors in this neighbourhood.

Summary
Much has been written in recent weeks about the State Governments population growth targets and the concern from Councillors, residents, and property owners in Noosa regarding this.
The statement that Noosa is a community first and a destination second should be a guiding light to future planning.
Noosa is blessed with a wonderful environment but it can be lost with the wrong development.
The proposed resort development at Serenity Close is the wrong development.
It will not enhance the lifestyle of people who live here and it will have a detrimental impact on many other aspects of Noosa that currently maintain a balance for both locals and visitors.
195 rooms could mean more than 400 people staying at the resort at any one time plus people attending functions and the restaurants. They will be concentrated in this area rather than dispersed through the many smaller holiday complexes that now operate, are owned by small time investors, and managed and staffed by people living in and around Noosa. Their livelihoods will be jeopardised.
Also, where will the staff come from to work at the resort? Will they be able to get affordable accommodation, will they commute long distances and where will they park when coming to work?
Will the resort in fact remain viable over the years to come, or will it become a “white elephant” and then be an abandoned structure?
This development is on a scale that can only cause problems and will do nothing to preserve the unique qualities that are special to Noosa. It has far reaching and negative implications.
I would urge all Councilors to oppose this development.

Tony Lund

9/40-42 Grant Street, Noosa Heads.
Ph: 0412 353 605
Email: [email protected]