PM Submission - Leanne Castro - MCU25/0118

Page 2

                 Chief Executive Officer
                 Noosa Shire Council
                 Email: [email protected]

                 Development Application Reference: MCU25/0118
                 Street Address: 64 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy QLD 4563
                 Property Description: Lot (part) SP 348613

                 Submitter Details:
                 Full Name: Leanne Castro
                 Postal Address: 2/3A Kauri Street, Cooroy, QLD 4563
                 Email: [email protected]
                 Telephone: 0493 362 331

                 22nd November, 2025

                 Subject: Objection to Development Application MCU25/0118
                 64 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy QLD 4563


                 I am writing as a long-term Cooroy resident to formally oppose the above development application. I request
                 that Council recommend refusal on the grounds outlined below. My objection is based on both personal
                 experience living immediately adjacent to this land, and on the serious planning issues, community impacts, and
                 inconsistencies with Council’s own strategies.
                 1. Cooroy Is Not a Medium-Density Town – This Development Fundamentally Alters Its Character

                 One of the main reasons my family chose to live in Cooroy is because it is a low-density hinterland town with a
                 strong village character. Medium-density development to this degree is not appropriate here, especially not in an
                 established low-density neighbourhood. Cooroy simply does not have the infrastructure, transport services, or
                 pedestrian connectivity to support this scale of development.
                 The proposed density is more suited to an urban or major centre. It is completely inconsistent with the Cooroy
                 Town Plan, surrounding zoning, and the expectations of residents who purchased homes in this community.
                 2. I Purchased My Home on the Understanding That This Land Was Reserved for Cemetery
                 Expansion

                 When I bought my home, I was informed that this land was owned by Noosa Council for future cemetery use. It is
                 a reasonable and justified community expectation that land zoned for cemetery purposes remains so, particularly
                 when all Noosa Shire cemeteries are nearing capacity.
                 There is no evidence that this land is no longer required for its intended purpose. The site adjoins the existing
                 cemetery and is ideally positioned for future expansion via internal access. Once lost, this community asset
                 cannot be replaced.
                 3. This Application Is for the Wrong Type of Housing Under Noosa’s Own Housing Strategy

                 Noosa’s Housing Strategy distinguishes clearly between social housing (income-based rent) and affordable
                 housing (discount to market rent). The grant provided to Coast2Bay is for Social Housing – Income-Based Rents,
                 not Affordable Housing.
                 This application does not align with the category of housing the site is being used to justify.
                 4. Location Is Inappropriate – No Walkable Access to Shops, Services, or Reliable Transport

                 This is one of the most significant concerns.


Document Set ID: 24329345
Version: 1, Version Date: 24/11/2025

Page 3

                 The site is not within walking distance of the Cooroy town centre, medical services, or core shopping needs. The
                 distances significantly exceed recommended planning guidelines, particularly for residents with disabilities, older
                 people, or families without private vehicles.
                 There is no public transport servicing the site, and the nearest bus access is extremely difficult to reach —
                 involving unformed footpaths, steep inclines, and terrain that is unsafe and inaccessible in wet weather.
                 I know firsthand that bus services in Cooroy are infrequent and unreliable. I regularly have to drive my son to
                 work because there is no dependable public transport. Expecting future tenants to rely on buses that do not run
                 regularly or safely accessible routes is unreasonable and will reduce their quality of life.
                 5. Density Is Excessive and Out of Character

                 The proposed density is significantly higher than developments approved on actual medium-density land in Kauri
                 Street. The proposal places 26 units on 3161 m² — a density that is not seen anywhere in Cooroy and is out of
                 character with surrounding detached housing.
                 This scale of development:

                     •    Sets a dangerous precedent for other hinterland towns
                     •    Adversely impacts neighbourhood amenity
                     •    Concentrates social housing rather than integrating it into the wider town as best-practice recommends
                 6. Severe Parking and Traffic Impacts

                 Cooroy already experiences serious parking shortages, and Council has no clear plan to address this. Within the
                 development, parking calculations are already below the minimum requirement, and do not account for:

                     •    Care worker vehicles
                     •    Visitors
                     •    Overflow during community room use
                     •    The reality that many tenants will own cars
                 There is no available street parking to absorb the overflow.
                 Traffic impacts on Dianella Court will be significant. This road was designed to service 28 houses — not a
                 medium-density complex. Resident safety will be compromised by increased congestion, vehicle manoeuvring
                 issues, and inadequate turning space for service and waste vehicles. These concerns have already been
                 demonstrated during remediation works.
                 7. Inadequate Landscaping and Cemetery Buffering

                 The minimal western setback and reliance on narrow screening vegetation provide neither privacy nor
                 appropriate separation between the development and cemetery operations. Landscaping constraints caused by
                 retaining walls and access paths further reduce buffering capacity.
                 8. Loss of Longstanding Community Open Space

                 Although not formally designated as parkland, this land has been used by the public for recreation for over 60
                 years. Its sudden shift to a medium-density development, without strategic planning or meaningful community
                 consultation, disregards long-standing community use and expectation.
                 9. Summary of Key Issues of Concern

                     1.   A medium-density development is being placed within a low-density neighbourhood.
                     2.   Land zoned and intended for cemetery use should retain its original purpose.
                     3.   The proposed density is excessive, inappropriate and inconsistent with Cooroy’s established character.
                     4.   The location is too far from shops, services and public transport.
                     5.   The proposal will create hardship for tenants who cannot easily access essential services.


Document Set ID: 24329345
Version: 1, Version Date: 24/11/2025

Page 4

                     6. The development sets an undesirable precedent for future planning across Cooroy and hinterland
                        towns.
                 Conclusion

                 This proposal is not suited to the location, the zoning, or the needs of the community. Nor does it provide a
                 liveable, supportive environment for future tenants. It undermines the long-term planning and character of
                 Cooroy and compromises land that the community understood was reserved for essential future cemetery needs.
                 For these reasons, I respectfully request that Council recommend refusal of this development application.


                 Thank you for considering my submission.


                 Yours sincerely,




                 Leanne Castro




Document Set ID: 24329345
Version: 1, Version Date: 24/11/2025