Meeting papers

3.3. Statutory Instruments – Planning Scheme
The site is located in Cooroy and is zoned Community Facilities and specifically annotated for
Health Services. Under the Noosa Plan a Multiple dwelling is identified as a consistent use and
required to follow an impact assessment process and assessed against the whole of Noosa Plan
2020 to the extent the provisions are relevant to the development.
3.3.1    Strategic Framework
Section 3.2.2 – A well managed and sustainable Noosa Shire identifies the following as a key
challenge for Noosa and is particularly relevant given the proposal is to locate 19 small dwellings
to be provided as affordable rentals:
Noosa’s population is expected to continue to age and will require specific responses to meet the
housing, transport, health and wellbeing needs of elderly residents. By 2041, the proportion of
residents aged 65 years and over is predicted to rise to around 30 per cent. Hence there is a need
for all forms of housing suitable for retirees and elderly people including residential care, retirement
communities and small dwellings.
Section 3.2.3 – A connected, safe and happy community notes that …Historically, the majority of
dwellings are three or more bedrooms and the predominant household size is only one or two
persons. Consequently, priority is given to increasing opportunities for smaller housing to better
meet the needs of small households. As there is a correlation between the size of housing and the
cost of housing this should improve affordability. New attached housing in or close to centres will
generally be limited to small dwellings.
Further, Section 3.2.4 – Housing to meet the needs of the community identifies the need for
affordable, diverse housing product, noting that… The residents of Noosa Shire are part of an
inclusive community where diversity is valued. Different housing types and styles are needed to
provide choices, ensuring people’s housing needs are catered for, regardless of age and
mobility, household size and budget. By providing housing choice in each local area, a greater mix
of people and ages are accommodated and this can provide a more diverse community.
The proposal generally aligns with the strategic intent of the Noosa Plan as quoted from the
sections above. It is acknowledged that the subject site is proposed to be utilised for housing in
lieu of the prescribed Health Services designation of the Community Facilities Zone. On balance
the proposed outcome, which would deliver 19 affordable rentals comprising 7x one-bedroom and
12x two-bedroom units of a generally high level of accessibility in a well-serviced location broadly
aligns with the strategic intent of the Planning Scheme.
The following Strategic Outcomes capturing Housing Choice are applicable to the proposed
development:

3.3.3 Housing Choice

(e)     A wide range of housing is spread throughout the existing urban areas of Noosa Shire and
        responds to housing needs associated with factors such as changing demographics,
        changing composition of households, and lifestyle choices.
(i)     Additional affordable rental premises are provided through public-private partnerships and
        development incentives.

The proposal is consistent with the planning scheme’s strategic intent for housing and achieves a
range of the intended Strategic Outcomes that relate to Housing Choice and will meet diverse
needs of the community.
It is also noted that the proposal aligns with the Noosa Housing Strategy adopted by Council on 4
November 2022 which identified the need to focus on providing affordable housing options and
encourage ‘smaller’ dwelling typologies that can accommodate a range of household types, namely
households that can cater for accessibility needs.
Section 7.4 of the Noosa Housing Strategy 2022 recommends that:



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