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NOOSA PLAN 2020 - SECTION 18 AMENDMENT PROCESS - 94 AND 170 HOLTS ROAD COOROY · Report
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 MARCH 2026
7.1 NOOSA PLAN 2020 - SECTION 18 AMENDMENT PROCESS - 94 AND 170
HOLTS ROAD COOROY
Author Principal Strategic Planner, Michelle Tucker
Strategy & Sustainability | Strategy and Environment
Index 41.35 - Noosa Plan 2020 Amendments
Attachments None
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report seeks Council approval to work with the State Department of Planning to undertake a
Section 18 Process under the Planning Act 2016 for a proposed amendment to Noosa Plan 2020
regarding land at 94 and 170 Holts Road Cooroy. These sites were included in the Urban Footprint
under the SEQ Regional Plan Review in 2023 for employment land (industrial). An amendment is
required to Noosa Plan 2020 to facilitate the employment and landuse outcomes for these sites.
A streamlined planning scheme amendment process, known as a Section 18 process, allows for a
tailored approach to amend Noosa Plan 2020 based on the extent and nature of the amendment.
This process allows local government to co-design the plan-making process and adapt steps in
conjunction with the State to be more flexible and responsive to the unique local context and
communities within their local government area.
A decision of Council is required to commence the Section 18 process and negotiations with the
State prior to presenting the proposed amendments to Council.
Once the process is agreed with the State, a Section 18 Notice will be issued by the Chief Executive
of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.
A further report will be presented to Council outlining the agreed Section 18 process together with
the draft amendments to Noosa Plan 2020.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council
A. Note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the Planning & Environment Committee
dated 10 March 2026;
B. Resolve to enter into a Section 18 Process under the Planning Act 2016 for a proposed
amendment to Noosa Plan 2020 for land located at 94 and 170 Holts Road, Cooroy; and
C. Following B above, request the CEO bring a report be to a future Council Meeting on the Section
18 Process and draft amendment.
REPORT
94 and 170 Holts Road, Cooroy (lots 3 & 4SP266739) were included in the urban footprint for the
purpose of employment land (industry) during the SEQ Regional Plan review 2023 (SEQRP). The
sites are currently outside the Urban Boundary in Noosa Plan 2020 and are within the Rural zone.
To facilitate employment and industrial activities consistent with the outcomes sought by SEQRP,
an amendment to Noosa Plan 2020 is required.
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 MARCH 2026
94 & 170 Holts Rd, Cooroy Rural zone NP2020 Urban Footprint Expansion
SEQRP
The proposed land use and employment outcomes and framework plan were presented to a
Councillor workshop on 5 February 2026 and will form the basis of a draft amendment to Noosa Plan
2020.
The State have indicated a Section 18 Process under the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act), a tailored
and more streamlined planning scheme amendment process, would be an appropriate pathway for
this amendment as it aligns to and advances the outcomes of the SEQRP.
This process allows Council to co-design and adapt steps in the plan-making process to be more
flexible, streamlined and responsive to the unique local context and communities within our local
government area. The process must be negotiated with and agreed by the State.
A section 18 Process still includes key steps such as community engagement, State interest review
and Council endorsement. However, the tailored process allows for streamlining of the statutory
amendment process for more efficient and effective plan-making. Examples of key steps to
streamline the amendment process may include:
• Early engagement with State agencies allowing for State agencies to opt out of the formal State
Interest review (SIR) step, where appropriate.
• State agency briefing within 5 days, for local government to present the proposed planning
scheme amendment to the Department and State agencies.
• Undertaking the state interest review and public consultation concurrently.
• Limiting the number of days the local and state governments can pause a step in the process.
• The State determining that a significantly different change may not require re-notification where
the change addresses an issue raised in submissions or a matter raised during a SIR.
• Steps in the process being delegated by the chief executive and local government.
The above steps have the potential to reduce the length of an amendment from 12-18 months to 6
months depending on the scale and nature of the proposed amendment.
A decision of Council to enter into the Section 18 Process is required to start negotiations with the
State.
Once an agreed position and Section 18 approval has been reached, a report will be presented back
to Council outlining the Section 18 process and draft amendment and will seek approval to
commence the statutory planning scheme amendment process.
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 MARCH 2026
Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 3 - Prosperity
Focus areas include economic development, local business, innovation, arts and culture, waste and
a circular economy.
Objective 3.1 Deliver and fund the Smart Biosphere - Economic Strategy, partnering with and
supporting Noosa Shire’s business community and industry sectors to deliver key outcomes.
Previous Council Consideration
Not applicable.
Finance
No financial implications. The planning scheme amendment process will be undertaken within the
25/26 Strategy and Sustainability Branch budget and existing staff resources.
Risk & Opportunities
The proposed Section 18 process still includes key steps such as community consultation and state
interest review to ensure the community has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft
amendment and there is alignment with state planning policies. Notwithstanding this, the potential to
streamline the amendment process allows for a more efficient and effective plan making process,
alignment with the SEQ Regional Plan and timely delivery of a key parcel of land to meet the future
employment needs of Noosa Shire.
Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Staff have discussed the intention of entering into a Section 18 process with State Government
planning officers.
The Section 18 process will include community consultation and referral to applicable state agencies
as part of the State interest review process.
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
Office of the CEO, Mayor & Community Services Corporate Services
Councillors
x Mayor & Councillors Director Director
Chief Executive Officer Community Connection Financial Services
Executive Officers Sport & Active Lifestyles Revenue Services
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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 10 MARCH 2026
Community Engagement Arts & Culture ICT
Governance Customer Experience Procurement
People & Culture
Strategy & Environment Development & Regulation Infrastructure Services
x Director Director Director
x Strategy & Sustainability x Development Assessment Civil and Asset operations
x Economic Development & Infrastructure Planning, Design
Local Laws
Destination Management and Delivery
Environmental Services Environmental Health Waste
Innovation & Digital Hub Building & Plumbing Building & Facilities
x Commercial Property Property / Permits Disaster Management
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