2017-02-07 Planning and Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   7 FEBRUARY 2017




                                                    Page 100 of 125

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              7 FEBRUARY 2017

              example, greenfield development is generally understood to refer to larger developed
              estates such as a master planned community over land that has not been previously
              developed (green fields). Council suggests moving to new terminology over time, such as
              ‘existing major urban’ and ‘balance areas’.

              PROSPER
              Council supports the continuation of a centres strategy that recognises important local
              economic centres at the sub-regional level. ShapingSEQ suggests that “when it comes to the
              economic activity, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” and if co-located and
              well-connected can lead to greater economic activity offering higher value and outward
              looking industries and jobs. The identification of a Major Regional Activity Centre in Noosa is
              supported.

              Council also supports the continuation of opportunities for enterprise in rural areas. The
              allowances for tourist activities with ancillary accommodation and commercial uses and
              sport and recreation activities are considered appropriate.

              ShapingSEQ forecasts that 11,800 additional jobs will be needed in Noosa Shire between
              2011 and 2041. This seems a high projection given the population increase for the same
              period is estimated at 12,000 persons. While there is a significant number of the local
              workforce who reside outside Noosa, there are also many Noosa residents who commute to
              the south for employment. Council seeks more information to better understand the
              employment growth projections at a granular level to compare with our own assumptions
              and local knowledge. Ideally we will have an agreed understanding of the assumptions and a
              consistent approach to our baseline and ongoing measuring techniques.

              The Background Paper for the Prosper theme also addresses this issue. Within that paper
              the workforce projection figure is qualified by the extraordinary statement at P67 “The
              prospects for employment growth within Noosa LGA will be heavily influenced by the
              constraints on development imposed by the Noosa biosphere, both in terms of resident and
              working populations.” The proposition suggested by the statement is in Council’s view
              completely erroneous and Council respectfully requests that it not be used in future
              Queensland government publications.

              STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
              The Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 requires mining applications to be assessed with
              special recognition to key regional attributes of Priority Living Areas, Strategic Cropping
              Areas and Strategic Environmental Areas. Council understands these areas can be declared
              by a regulation or by a Regional Plan. ShapingSEQ proposes to designate all South East
              Queensland a Priority Living Area and parts of the region as Strategic Cropping Areas. Some
              parts of Queensland are separately designated as Strategic Environmental Areas, such as
              Fraser Island.

              ShapingSEQ does not however propose to designate any areas as Strategic Environmental
              Areas. This is a significant concern with the draft plan. There are many areas with important
              biodiversity values outside of the protected areas of National Parks. Environmental areas of
              state significance are already identified on the Queensland government’s on-line mapping

                                                                                                 Page 4

                                                                                                 Page 100 of 125