Council archive · source document
PM Submission - Patricia Spicer - MCU25/0118
From: "Pat Spicer" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sun, 16 Nov 2025 18:50:34 +1000
To: "Mailbox Council Mail" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Julia Walkden" <[email protected]>; "Dianella court"
<[email protected]>
Subject: 64 LMD Submission: Application No MCU25/0118
CAUTION: This email originated outside of Council. Do not open links or attachments
if the email is unexpected or unusual.
To: Assessment Manager – Noosa Shire Council 16 November, 2025
Re: Application Number MCU25/0118
Description: Development Permit for Material Change of Use by Coast2Bay for Multiple
Dwellings – Affordable Rental Premises 25 X small dwellings plus one community rood dwelling.
Site Address: 64 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy Qld 4563 on Lot 2 (part) SP348613
To the Assessment Manager
I make the following submission to Council and request that the above development application
be refused on the grounds outlined below.
1. Type of Housing Proposed Is Incorrect
Noosa’s Housing Strategy clearly distinguishes between Affordable Housing and Social Housing
(p.12). These housing types have different rent structures:
- Social Housing uses income-based rent.
- Affordable Housing uses discount-to-market rent.
Coast2Bay’s grant from the State Government is specifically for 25 units classified as
Community Housing under the Social Housing Income-Based Rent model. However, the current
development application seeks approval for the wrong type of housing.
2. Zoning and Intended Land Use
The site is zoned Community Facilities – Cemetery, and has long been identified for future
cemetery expansion. Nearby residents have a justifiable expectation that land purchased and
designated for cemetery purposes will be used accordingly.
Although Lot 1 will remain in public ownership through a Community Housing Provider, the land
will be restricted from public access. This contradicts the fact that the community has used this
land as informal open space for more than 60 years since the former dump closed.
Document Set ID: 24306301
Version: 1, Version Date: 18/11/2025
See the original
The page text is free to read. Viewing or downloading an original file needs an account.
Log in to see the originalFull text of the other 3 pages
Page 2
Surrounding land is zoned Low Density Residential. The Cooroy Local Plan already contains
appropriately located Medium Density land. Introducing medium-density housing in this location
is inconsistent with community expectations and the Cooroy Town Plan.
3. Insufficient Cemetery Space
All cemeteries in Noosa Shire are approaching full capacity. Only one-fifth of the site at 62 Lake
Macdonald Drive has been set aside for future cemetery needs, with a portion already occupied
by the cemetery shed.
There is no evidence that the adjoining land at 64 Lake Macdonald Drive is surplus to future
burial requirements. Local governments are responsible for providing sufficient cemetery
capacity; housing is not a local government responsibility.
Access to the site from Lake Macdonald Drive is constrained due to limited sight lines.
Integrated access through the existing cemetery is feasible only if the land continues in
cemetery use.
No alternative land for future cemetery expansion has been identified.
4. Excessive Density and Incompatible Built Form
The proposed density far exceeds that of comparable medium-density developments in Cooroy:
- 9 Kauri Street: 10 units on 2,138 m²
- 20 Kauri Street: 10 units on 2,030 m²
- 64 Lake Macdonald Drive (proposed): 26 units (25 dwellings + 1 community unit) on 3,161 m²
This density would be more typical of a larger urban centre, not a town characterised by single
detached housing in a low-density setting.
The development’s scale, massing, and intensity are not sympathetic to local character and set
an undesirable precedent.
5. Poor Location and Lack of Connectivity
The site sits near the urban boundary, isolated from surrounding residents and lacking safe or
convenient pedestrian connectivity.
Access to Cooroy’s main retail centre requires crossing a steep pedestrian bridge unsuitable for
many residents. The location does not support green transport, walkability, or ease of access to
services.
6. Distances to Essential Services Are Excessive
Document Set ID: 24306301
Version: 1, Version Date: 18/11/2025
Page 3
Recommended distances to key services are 400m–1000m. This development exceeds that:
- Core shops and medical services: approx. 1.8 km
- Cooroy Railway Station: approx. 1.4 km
- Noosa District High School: approx. 2.5 km
The nearest bus stop requires navigating unformed footpaths, rough terrain, a flood-prone creek
crossing, and steep inclines—unsafe and impractical for many residents.
7. Lack of Public Transport
There is no bus service past the site. Cooroy has only limited public transport (usually two bus
services a day). Residents will be dependent on cars. Coast2Bay’s CEO has stated most
tenants do in fact own cars.
8. Inadequate Parking Provision
Parking is one space short of the minimum, and actual needs will likely be greater. Care
workers require proximate parking, and no on-street parking is available. Meeting use of the
community unit will add further demand.
9. Traffic and Road Safety
Dianella Court was designed for 28 households. The development will increase congestion,
reduce safety, and worsen turning and service vehicle access issues. Waste collection access
is already problematic.
10. Insufficient Landscaping and Cemetery Buffering
A 3m western setback cannot accommodate meaningful landscaping or an adequate cemetery
buffer. Retaining walls further reduce space. The proposal relies on cemetery land for buffering,
reducing future cemetery amenity.
Summary of Issues:
1. A medium-density development is proposed within a low-density zone.
2. The Community Facilities – Cemetery zoning intent should be upheld.
3. The development’s density is excessive and out of character.
4. The site is too far from key services and public transport.
5. The location will create hardship for tenants.
Document Set ID: 24306301
Version: 1, Version Date: 18/11/2025
Page 4
6. Approval would set a negative precedent for Cooroy and hinterland towns.
Yours sincerely,
Pat Spicer (Patricia Spicer)
1A Kauri Street, Cooroy. Queensland 4563
Document Set ID: 24306301
Version: 1, Version Date: 18/11/2025
Used in these records
PM Submission - Patricia Spicer - MCU25/0118Related documentApplication case desk ↗
About this file
- File size
- 105 KB (small file)
- File type
No other editions are linked here.