Noosa Civic Stage 3 submission

Proposed Development re. Expansion of Noosa Civic - MCU14/0106
28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville, 4566.
Major shopping centre expansion - QIC Noosa Civic Pty Ltd - Cardno HRP

To the Assessment Manager, Planning and Development [email protected]

Please accept this as my submission opposing the proposed expansion of the Noosa Civic Centre, Noosa
Civic Stage 3.

1. Need. The proposal seems to be a repeat performance of that which was originally mooted by the
   former developers, consequently knocked back by Council, and rightly so. This proposal serves no
   proper purpose as there are a number of shops already vacant in the site, and further expansion
   will exacerbate this situation.

2. Noosa Civic already has a supermarket, and doesn’t need another. The type of shops currently in
   the Civic Centre are not likely to attract additional trade in the advent that the Centre is enlarged.

3. Parking is already inadequate for the structure that we have in the Centre; the additional parking
   will not make much difference.

4. I also oppose the proposed expansion of Noosa Civic shopping centre because I believe it would
   have a negative and detrimental impact on existing businesses, employment, and tourism in Noosa
   generally, and in Noosa Junction in particular, with the existing Target store relocating to Noosa
   Civic.

I see no evidence that more retail space is needed in Noosa. There is already plenty of retail
competition and choice for consumers, and there are already many local retailers who are struggling to
make ends meet.
Local businesses employ local people and use local suppliers. I am not convinced that the type of big
companies and franchise retailers who are likely to set up in an expanded Noosa Civic will do the same.

A lot of time, money, and energy has been devoted to trying to enliven precincts like Noosa Junction
and attract locals and tourists to shop and socialise in these precincts. The proposed expansion of
Noosa Civic Centre will only attract people away from local shopping precincts like the Junction, making
these areas less vibrant, and will create more competition and more pressure on existing businesses.

Damage that will be done to existing traders and shop owners both in the Civic Centre, and in places
like Noosaville, Tewantin and Noosa Junction will be quite substantial, as they will be forced to compete
with this larger conglomeration. For example it is rumoured that the Target Country store will move
from Noosa Junction to the Proposed Development of Noosa Civic, and that will result in further shops
closing in that area, in spite of Noosa Council’s endeavours to improve the locality.
To date Noosa junction has lost two banks, a Mitre 10 store, and a plethora of other shops all ceasing to
trade.
There is also the impact of the online shopping revolution, which I believe has not peaked as yet, to
be considered.

For the sake of existing Noosa businesses, and their employees and families, I urge Council to reject the
proposed expansion of Noosa Civic shopping Centre.