2017-02-13 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   13 FEBRUARY 2017




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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                       13 FEBRUARY 2017

              Council supports the approach of projecting development growth in the manner that
              distinguishes existing major urban areas (infill) and the balance areas (greenfield). However
              there is potential for confusion in the community with the terms infill and greenfield. For
              example, greenfield development is generally understood to refer to larger developed
              estates such as a master planned community over land that has not been previously
              developed (green fields). Council suggests moving to new terminology over time, such as
              ‘existing major urban’ and ‘balance areas’.

              PROSPER
              Council supports the continuation of a centres strategy that recognises important local
              economic centres at the sub-regional level. ShapingSEQ suggests that “when it comes to the
              economic activity, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” and if co-located and
              well-connected can lead to greater economic activity offering higher value and outward
              looking industries and jobs. The identification of a Major Regional Activity Centre in Noosa is
              supported.

              Council also supports the continuation of opportunities for enterprise in rural areas. The
              allowances for tourist activities with ancillary accommodation and commercial uses and
              sport and recreation activities are considered appropriate.

              ShapingSEQ forecasts that 11,800 additional jobs will be needed in Noosa Shire between
              2011 and 2041. This seems a high projection given the population increase for the same
              period is estimated at 12,000 persons. While there is a significant number of the local
              workforce who reside outside Noosa, there are also many Noosa residents who commute to
              the south for employment. Council seeks more information to better understand the
              employment growth projections at a granular level to compare with our own assumptions
              and local knowledge. Ideally we will have an agreed understanding of the assumptions and a
              consistent approach to our baseline and ongoing measuring techniques.

              The Background Paper for the Prosper theme also addresses this issue. Within that paper
              the workforce projection figure is qualified by the extraordinary statement at P67 “The
              prospects for employment growth within Noosa LGA will be heavily influenced by the
              constraints on development imposed by the Noosa biosphere, both in terms of resident and
              working populations.” The proposition suggested by the statement is in Council’s view
              completely erroneous and Council respectfully requests that it not be used in future
              Queensland government publications. It is worth noting that the Noosa Biosphere® Reserve
              is a voluntary covenant with no formal ability to control or influence planning, business
              enterprise or other development decisions. Noosa Council has adopted a Local Economic
              Plan with an aim to achieve growth in ‘smart’, high value industry sectors which are not
              dependent on population growth, but rather, export services and products outside of the
              Shire and align with our environmental and social values. This plan aligns with a principal
              aim of ShapingSEQ to improve the extent of services exported by local businesses.

              STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
              The Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 requires mining applications to be assessed with
              special recognition to key regional attributes of Priority Living Areas, Strategic Cropping
              Areas and Strategic Environmental Areas. Council understands these areas can be declared

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