Council Report 51998 2462 07

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING                                          6 AUGUST 2024

3.    ASSESSMENT
3.1. Instruments for Statutory Assessment
Under the Planning Act 2016 the application must be assessed against each of the following
statutory planning instruments to the extent they are relevant to the development:
•     State Planning Policy;
•     South East Queensland Regional Plan;
•     Planning Regulation 2017;
•     Noosa Plan 2020.
3.2. State and Other Statutory Instruments
State Planning Policy
The Noosa Plan 2020 is consistent with the State Planning Policy July 2017 (SPP), apart from
coastal hazards in part and the SPP raises no further issues relevant to the proposed development.
South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan
The site is located within the Urban Footprint of the SEQ Regional Plan. The proposal is consistent
with the regional policies of the SEQ Regional Plan.
Planning Regulation 2017
The proposal is for an urban activity within the Urban Footprint and is consistent with the
assessment benchmarks contained in the Planning Regulation 2017 for the SEQ Region.
3.3. Statutory Instruments – Planning Scheme
The application must be assessed against the whole of the Noosa Plan 2020 to the extent the
provisions are relevant to the development.
The subject site is located in Noosa Heads and is zoned Tourist Accommodation Zone. The
existing and proposed new uses are identified as consistent uses with the zone, with the expanded
yoga studio, new shop and office required to follow an impact assessable application process.
3.3.1 Strategic Framework
The Strategic Framework recognises that Noosa Shire serves as a domestic and international
tourism destination, with tourism a significant contributor to the local and regional economy. While
the Noosa Local Economic Plan aims to broaden the economic structure of the local economy,
sustainable tourism is supported as an ongoing economic driver.
This intent is reflected in the following strategic outcome under Section 3.3.5 Economy and
Employment:
(x)   Tourism continues to be recognised as an important sector for the economy. Sustainable,
      low impact, nature-based tourism and rural tourism are supported. Key visitor areas include
      Hastings Street, Gympie Terrace, Noosa River, Tewantin Marina, Noosa National Park,
      Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach, Noosa North Shore and the Hinterland.
The proposed Other Change is consistent with the Strategic Framework, with the proposal seeking
to update and add to the visitor experience and resort offerings. The existing visitor accommodation
will remain the site’s primary use, with the expanded yoga studio, restaurant changes and potential
addition of a small shop/office remaining complementary and ancillary to the resort’s
accommodation.
3.3.2 Noosa Heads Local Plan Code
Section 7.2.5.2 of the Noosa Heads Local Plan Code states:
(t)   Noosa Heads is the principal focus for visitor accommodation and services in Noosa Shire
      as demonstrated by:
      (i)  Hastings Street serving as a major visitor centre; and