2023-03-07 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    7 MARCH 2023


While the proposed development is consistent with the zoning intent of the site for medium density
residential under the Noosa Plan 2020 to provide a range of housing choices in Pomona, the
application failed to satisfactorily address the site’s natural features and constraints and the
proposed built form requires improvement.
Two watercourses traverse the site, and flooding occurs around these, with significant overland
flow coming from the north and north-west of the site. There is regrowth on the site predominantly
in the riparian buffer along the southern watercourse and the Church Street road verge, with some
native species characteristic of the mapped regional ecosystem expected for the area. Much of the
site though is disturbed, with the area outside the riparian area dominated by maintained grass
areas and the northern water course significantly modified, with a sewerage line constructed
previously through the area.
The proposed development partly intrudes into the mapped riparian buffer and extends beyond the
top of the bank of the southern watercourse. The northern watercourse is proposed to be filled and
channelised.
The site receives overland flow flooding through the northern and north-western site boundaries,
the proposed development includes units and private open space along these boundaries. The
collection and conveyance of this overland flow flooding is through the private open space of the
units and not fully contained in drainage infrastructure that is located within a drainage easement
in common property and kept separate to the minimum required private open space.
It is not clear from the applicant’s hydraulic report that adequate freeboard for the units will be
achieved above the defined flood event (DFE) or that the works will not cause flooding impacts
downstream of the site. The last hydraulic report submitted to Council showed that a downstream
property would be adversely impacted by the works. The report is also unclear whether filling and
development is proposed within the 1%AEP creek flooding extent, but it appears likely. Excessive
earthworks are also proposed contrary to the scheme’s requirements to maintain the natural
landform with areas up to 3.5 to 4m in depth being cut or filled.
The proposed built form is modest and simple, but is quite repetitive, with additional design
elements required to add interest and better reflect the traditional character of Pomona. See Figure
3 detailing the proposed elevations.




                                        Figure 3 - Elevations

                                                                                     Page 19 of 49