MCU25/0118 - APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE FOR MULITIPLE DWELLING - AFFORDABLE RENTAL PREMISES (25 x SMALL DWELLINGS) AT 64 LAKE MACDONALD DRIVE, COOROY · ATTACHMENT 2 - (MCU25 0118) - PLANNING OFFICERS REPORT

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                               10 FEBRUARY 2026


         that they are retained in the housing system even if the RCHP (Coast2Bay) ceased to exist
         (i.e. they must be transferred to the State or another RCHP). To maintain its registration,
         Coast2Bay must complete an annual NRSCH return to demonstrate that the assets are being
         used for social housing, including rent collection, vacancy and maintenance data.

         The CFA also contains provisions for control of the design of the dwellings, including the
         State’s Social Housing Design Guidelines and a requirement for a minimum of 50% of
         dwellings to achieve LHA Gold level accessibility. The project has been subject to State
         design approvals at various stages, with the submitted design having been endorsed by the
         Department of Housing prior to lodgement with Council.

3.       SITE DETAILS
3.1. Site History
The land was originally purchased by Council for a future expansion of the adjoining cemetery, it
has been determined that only a portion of it is needed for cemetery purposes.
In November 2022 Noosa Council endorsed the Noosa Housing Strategy 2022 which included a
range of actions impacting the potential future use of the site, these included:
     •    Investigate opportunities to make available Council owned land for housing that is
          desperately needed and currently lacking within Noosa Shire such as social housing,
          affordable housing, or crisis accommodation.
     •    Investigate potential for housing on 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy. Undertake
          appropriate consultation with the local community.
Preliminary site investigations in 2023 demonstrated that the site is suitable for housing
development, subject to remediation works. This included an extensive range of background
studies and site investigations which determined the site is generally free from natural hazard
constraints such as flooding and bushfire hazards and is suitable for housing and cemetery
purposes, subject to remediation. There are minimal biodiversity values on the site.
The following approvals have been issued for the site:
     •    On 30 May 2025, a development permit for reconfiguring a lot was granted, 1 Lot into 6
          Lots (including drainage and park lot). The proposed development is proposed over Lot 1,
          which is 3,158m2 in area.
     •    On 20 August 2025, a development permit for operational works for earthworks,
          landscaping, roadworks and stormwater was granted. Works have since started and remain
          underway.
Following completion of works and adherence to both the reconfiguring a lot and operational works
development permits, the new title will be created.
3.1.1 Site Remediation
Up until the 1950s/60s, prior to Council acquiring the land, the site was used as a landfill and for
night soil disposal. The former landfill is located beneath the plantation trees and downhill towards
the gully, while the night soil area is towards Lake Macdonald Drive to the north of the gully.
The site currently remains on the Environmental Management Register however is in the process
of being remediated which is required to be completed prior to approval of a Plan Seal application
and the commencement of any future land uses. The remediation works are being undertaken
separate to this Material Change of Use application.
3.2. Site Description
The future lot, Lot 1 (as approved by RAL25/0004) has an area of 3,158m2. The approved
reconfiguration plan identifies that the lot:
     •    Will have frontage to Lake Macdonald Drive,