gslc submission

in relation to education facilities, which is the primary use of the surrounding area. A service station
would be deemed an incompatible use if this small parcel of land was zoned for community use, as
is all of the surrounding area.

I contend that a poor planning decision in the past to rezone this small parcel of land from
community to industrial use does not remove the reality that there is a school, childcare
facility, baby swim school, and public pool as the primary use of the area.

In the event that this development is not approved, I would strongly urge the school and council to
work together to rezone this land back to a community use zone, so that zoning is consistent with
the surrounding land, assuring the public that any future development of this block will be
consistent with its primary use - as a school.


3. Traffic study fails to address significant issues

It appears to me that the Traffic Report provided by the proponent is essentially a desktop study,
with limited local knowledge of traffic flow and issues. The study contends that the the
development will likely generate 32 new trip ends, which is considered to be a low level of
additional traffic generation.

However the traffic study completely fails to mention and/or consider the following:

1) Current congestion at peak school pick up and drop off times. Presently in the peak school
   pick up and drop off times there is congestion along Eumundi-Noosa Rd from the beginning of
   the school 40k/hour zone, running down the road past the Walter Hay Drive roundabout and
   sometimes reaching up as far as the next roundabout. Congestion along Goodchap St running
   from the hospital exit point to Edmundi-Noosa Rd is particularly bad, some mornings it can take
   as long as 20 minutes to travel a distance of approximately 500m. An additional entry/exit point
   for the service station will only contribute to more congestion at peak times. I believe it would
   be valuable for the Council too seek an opinion from the Noosa Hospital and particularly their
   ambulance drivers about this peak time congestion, and its impact on hospital services.

2) Current use of the land as overflow parking. The top half of the block is currently used for
   school “overflow" parking, I would estimate by around 40 cars per morning and afternoon. If
   this parking facility is no longer available, then the cars displaced by this will add to traffic
   congestion and chaos significantly. It has been suggested that an easement will be made to
   allow for cars to continue to use this top area for overflow parking, but it is not clear how this
   will done safely. Worse, if this easement is allowed for school overflow parking then in the
   approximate 150m between the roundabout at the entrance of the school and the Walter Hay
   Roundabout, there will be three entry/exit points. Three entry and exit points for cars, right
   next to the school - all running along 150m of road with busy, distracted drivers,
   excitable schoolchildren, and other pedestrians - is an accident waiting to happen.

4. Misleading information provided in response to information request regarding airborne
   hazards

In relation to Council’s request for information regarding airborne hazards, the proponent claims
that there are no classrooms within 100m of the refilling canopy. Whilst this is likely correct, it also
states that the refuelling canopy is 46m to the school boundary, which is abutted directly by the
sports hall and swimming pool.

The “sports hall” is the school’s health and physical education building. It is in consistent use by
students during the day, with many teams beginning early morning training at 6.30am, classes and
other activities occur in the building throughout day, and for after school training as well. There is a
public fitness facility within this hall. The hall is also used for school performances and special