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Minor Change Report 132004 240137 2 (As Published) · 132004.240137.2
APPLICATION FOR A MINOR CHANGE TO A DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
Author Matthew Pinse, Development Planner
Development Assessment
APPLICATION DETAILS
Application No. 132004.240137.2
Development Approval Material Change of Use – Convert Offices to Accommodation
Buildings
Applicant KL Noosa Properties P/L
Request Received On 20 August 2025
Report Reviewed By Patrick Murphy
02.10.2025
Decision Due Date 19.09.2025
PROPERTY DETAILS
Property Address Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
14 Hastings Street Noosa Heads
RP Description Lot 7 RP 802632
Land Area 9,937m2
Existing Use of Land Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
STATUTORY DETAILS
SEQRP Designation Urban Footprint
Zone Tourist Accommodation Zone
Precinct Hastings Street Mixed Use Precinct
Local Area Plan Noosa Heads
Overlays Land Subject to Acid Sulfate Soils
• 5 metres AHD or below
• Above 5 metres to 20 metres AHD
Landslide Hazard Overlay
• High Hazard Area
• Moderate Hazard Area
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Flood Hazard Overlay
Assessment Type Minor Change to Development Approval
1. PROPOSAL
The applicant proposes a minor change to the existing development approval by adding a plunge
pool on the balcony of Unit 607. The submitted architectural plans indicate that the proposed pool
is located within a separate section of the balcony adjoining the main bedroom, which is spatially
separated from the primary private open space area that contains seating and outdoor entertaining
areas that are accessed from the combined living/dining area.
Unit 607 is known as the ‘Hero Suite’ and the proposed plunge pool will be exclusively used for
guests of this ‘Hero Suite This change will enhance the private amenities of this unit without
impacting the other shared or communal areas within the development. The locality and proposal
plan are included below.
Figure 1 – Locality
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Figure 2 – Site Plan
Figure 3 – Floor Plans and Sections
The Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort (previously known as the Sheraton Noosa Resort) is not the
subject of an existing town planning approval, as it was developed by Suncorp, as an agency of
the State Government. Consequently, the development built did not comply with the Planning
Scheme in force at the time of construction and does not meet the current Planning Scheme
provisions for Hastings Street. Those circumstances have changed, and the hotel is now subject
to the Planning Scheme and relevant provisions affecting the Residential High Density Zone that
apply to the site.
Since the development of the resort a range of approvals have been given for modifications to the
building, with the approvals relevant to this application including:
02382 – Conversion of the Chart House Restaurant to a day spa and changes relating to the first
floor level involving the reception area, shops and lounge bar, which was approved 16 March 2000.
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02382 – Further amendments to the Day Spa and coffee lounge, which were approved August
2000.
23693 – This approval (29 April 2004) included some of the changes approved on 16 March 2000,
which had not been completed and includes some remodelling of the upper level games room,
meeting rooms, and Cato’s kitchen facilities, relocation of a furniture store area and increase in
retail shop area of 22.5m2.
132004.240137 - Application converting existing unused office areas on the third level into 6 x one
bedroom accommodation units which were not self-contained (ie. no kitchens) and changes to
basement car parking arrangements to provide additional car parking spaces for the new units.
132004.240137.1 – This approval (4 April 2025) included a change to the existing development
approval by amalgamating two of the existing hotel rooms by undertaking internal works, which
resulted in a reduction in the number of approved rooms from 169 to 168.
2. ASSESSMENT
2.1. 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; and
• Noosa Plan 2020 (25 September 2020).
2.2. Statutory Process
The applicant has requested to make a minor change to a development approval under s78 of the
Planning Act 2016. An application for a minor change to a development approval can only be made
in circumstances where a change would constitute a ‘minor change’.
The proposed change to the development approval requested by the applicant is determined to
constitute a minor change on the grounds that:
• the development would not result in substantially different development as the proposal does
not:
o dramatically change the built form in terms of scale, bulk and appearance; or
o change the ability of the proposed development to operate as intended; or
o remove a component that is integral to the operation of the development; or
o introduce new impacts or increase the severity of known impacts; or
• the change does not include prohibited development;
• the change would not require the application to be referred to an additional referral agency
or cause a referral agency to have regard to new matters prescribed by regulation;
• where the original application was code assessable, the change would not cause the
application to become impact assessable.
2.3. Statutory Instruments – Planning Scheme
The following codes from Noosa Plan 2020 are applicable to this development:
• Tourist Accommodation Zone Code;
• Noosa Heads Local Plan Code;
• Visitor Accommodation Code;
• Works Codes;
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The application has been found to generally comply with all applicable statutory instruments. The
pertinent issues arising out of the assessment are discussed below.
The proposed plunge pool does not constitute substantially different development, nor does it result
in non-compliances with the relevant codes of the current and superseded planning schemes for
the following reasons:
• The proposed pool maintains an area of 21m2 area for the use of guests for private open
space purposes;
• The main area of the balcony does not have a minimum dimension of less than 2m;
• The use remains consistent with existing state approval and Tourist Accommodation zone.
• No increase in car parking resulting from this change.
• Nature of works does not trigger assessment against overlays noting an exemption
certificate has already been provided for Flood Hazard Overlay.
The works require the insertion of additional condition 19, to read as follows:
19. Works approved by change application 132004.240137.2 are to be in accordance with the
following plans.
Plan Ref. Rev. Title Date
A261 2 General Arrangement Plans – Level 6 06/06/2025
Sheet 01 prepared by Mills Gorman
Architects
- - Hero Suite Pool Proposal -
3. CONSULTATION
3.1. Referral Agencies
Not applicable
3.2. Internal Council Referrals
Not applicable
4. CONCLUSION & REASONS FOR DECISION
The proposed development generally complies with the requirements of the planning scheme and
does not raise any significant issues that cannot be addressed by reasonable and relevant
conditions. The application is therefore recommended for approval.
The report is provided in accordance with Section 83(9) of the Planning Act 2016.
RECOMMENDATION
With regard to Application No. 132004.240137.2 to make a minor change to an existing approval
for Material Change of Use – Convert Offices to Accommodation Buildings situated at Sofitel Noosa
Pacific Resort 14 Hastings St Noosa Heads Qld 4567 and described as Lot 7 RP 802632, Council
on 2 October 2025 decided to:
A. Approve the change.
B. Include the following additional condition:
19. Works approved by change application 132004.240137.2 are to be in accordance with the
following plans.
Plan Ref. Rev. Title Date
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A261 2 General Arrangement Plans – Level 6 06/06/2025
Sheet 01 prepared by Mills Gorman
Architects
- - Hero Suite Pool Proposal -
C. Amend Condition 18 to correct an administrative error by updating the reference date of the
approved Minor Change application (Ref: 132004.240137.1) to reflect the correct decision
date of 30 April 2025.
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