2019-12-11 SM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 1 DRAFT 20191202-Noosa Plan Consultation Report

 Submitter   Submission and Grounds of Submission                                                                               Planners’ response                                                                                           Recommendation
                                                                                                                                forms of commercial uses for the same reasons. Each zone allows certain uses and not others, this is a
                                                                                                                                fundamental basic of land use planning and a planning scheme and occurs in every locality across
                                                                                                                                Australia. This is not a unique situation to Noosa.
                                                                                                                                All existing lawful short term accommodation can continue under the provisions of existing use rights
                                                                                                                                which will continue to support any ancillary support services while they chose to operate. There is no
                                                                                                                                evidence that no further increase in dwellings in this one zone, the Low Density Residential zone used for
                                                                                                                                short term accommodation will impact on the existing tourism economy.
                                                                                                                                There has been an exponential increase in the number of dwellings that have been made available for
                                                                                                                                short term accommodation in Noosa since the advent of on-line booking platforms that were previously
                                                                                                                                never used for visitor accommodation. Any loss to this number through a ceasing of existing use rights,
                                                                                                                                will largely be driven by the market levelling out and supply and demand factors.
                                                                                                                                Low density residential zones have always been reserved primarily for permanent residents. The current
                                                                                                                                semi attached and attached zones however always had a mix of both permanent residents and visitor
                                                                                                                                accommodation. The proposed levels of assessment in the low density residential zone, medium and
                                                                                                                                high density residential zones reflect this past approach going forward.
                                                                                                                                Council has produced a discussion paper on the Issues associated with the rapid increase in on line
                                                                                                                                booking platforms and short term accommodation, and has also drawn on well documented research,
                                                                                                                                papers and case studies from around Australia and the world in considering its response to this issue for
                                                                                                                                its community.
                                                                                                                                Many submissions have addressed the economic contribution of the short stay sector and the resultant
                                                                                                                                impact of the proposed scheme amendments. Submissions have been received from both property
                                                                                                                                owners and business owners who rely on the tourist accommodation sector for their livelihood and make
                                                                                                                                the point of the significant economic contribution visitors to these properties make to the Noosa Shire.
                                                                                                                                There is a variety of accommodation options however submissions have indicated a lack of high end /
                                                                                                                                five star product. In addition to the high number luxury holiday homes with existing use rights for short-
                                                                                                                                term letting, Council has planned for and expected delivery of more than one 5 star resort however they
                                                                                                                                have not yet been developed.
                                                                                                                                The new Noosa Plan is not going to prevent lawful existing short-term accommodation from operating. It
                                                                                                                                has in many locations increased the Tourist Accommodation Zone in comparison to the current scheme.
                                                                                                                                It has also increased opportunities for visitor accommodation in the hinterland.
                                                                                                                                It’s been recognised for some time that while tourism is highly valued and contributes a very substantial
                                                                                                                                amount to the Noosa Shire economy and is a key sector for Noosa it is important to also diversify the
                                                                                                                                economic to build a more resilient and diversified economy. The Local Economic Plan clearly identifies
                                                                                                                                the importance and need for a more diversified economy to provide for future employment opportunities..
                                                                                                                                To this end the new scheme specifically includes various changes to grow centres and diversify
                                                                                                                                businesses, enables home-based businesses, commit more land to aged care, create a health and
                                                                                                                                wellbeing precinct, allow the hospital to expand, set aside innovation zones, encourage start up and
                                                                                                                                creative businesses within precincts in industrial areas.
                                                                                                                                Whilst acknowledging the concern raised about this issue, it is considered that the Planning Scheme
                                                                                                                                provides a balanced approach to land use planning, continued support and opportunities for tourism
                                                                                                                                development, employment and business opportunities whilst seeking to maintain adequate housing for
                                                                                                                                residents and workers.
 21004343    Pro forma                                                                                                          Issues are noted                                                                                             That no change be made to the New Noosa Plan as a result of these submissions.
 21004357    Following is a summary of the reasons why we object to the proposed Short Stay Accommodation Regime                It is acknowledged that properties who have not taken up short term accommodation prior to the
             set out in the Draft New Noosa Town Plan:                                                                          commencement of the new Noosa Plan will require an impact assessable application to be made if they
 21004361                                                                                                                       want to short term let their property in its entirety.
             •    The proposal significantly limits the rights of property owners where their property has not historically
 21005980                                                                                                                       However, as their principal place of residence they will have the opportunity to short term let their
                  been used for short-term accommodation.
 21006010                                                                                                                       property for up to 60 days per year and home host all year round.
             •    The proposal will create inequities and inefficiencies in supply and demand in the accommodation
 21004661         sector. Noosa is once again sending the message to tourists that we are closed for business                   The New Noosa Plan continues to support tourism and visitor accommodation a range of other short
                  notwithstanding the efforts of local tourism bodies.                                                          term accommodation opportunities including:
 21004695
             •    The proposal will create inequities in the local housing market. Long term -property market                   •    Extensive designated Tourist Accommodation zones
 21005956         professionals have indicated premiums will be achieved by those property owners who have
                  historically utilized their property for short-term rental. This is clearly inequitable and discriminatory.   •    Short term accommodation opportunities in medium and high density housing zones
 21005955
             •    Those Councillors who moved and voted for the changes have overridden the advice of Council staff.            •    Home hosted accommodation in all residential zones
 21005227                                                                                                                       •    Short term accommodation up to 60 nights per year in principal place of residence
             •    Clearly this of major concern with our elected representatives putting their personal prejudices and the
 21005924         demands of influential lobby groups ahead of the recommendations of professional staff (following             •    Designated tourist parks and camp grounds
                  record community feedback from version one of the Draft New Noosa Town Plan).
 21004703



Consultation Report - Consideration of Submissions on the New Noosa Plan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Page 56