2021-03-09 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     9 MARCH 2021


Officers have been monitoring the local housing market and taking part in the Housing Action
Group facilitated by the Local Member for Noosa. Some baseline parameters have been
established for monitoring changes in tenure (e.g. rental market Vs owner occupier) and changes
between short-term and long-term accommodation. Staff are in regular communication with the
State Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy and with community housing
providers. Since the introduction of Noosa Plan 2020 there have already been several development
applications for multiple dwellings that are taking advantage of incentives for small dwellings, plus
a couple of applications for residential care facilities. Many secondary dwellings have also had
building approvals issued.
In December 2020, Council requested staff identify potential amendments to Noosa Plan 2020 to
accelerate the provision of suitable community housing. This is the subject of a separate report to
Council this round.
8.    Short stay letting and home hosted accommodation Local Law
In adopting Noosa Plan 2020, Council also resolved to complete and introduce a Local Law for
short stay letting including an associated code of conduct. A revised draft of the local law has been
prepared and this is the subject of a separate report to Council this round. Community consultation
on the revised draft local law would occur following this.
9.    Amendments to Noosa Plan 2020
Since Noosa Plan 2020 commenced, initial administrative amendments were made and took effect
on 25 September 2020. These were largely minor edits and mechanical improvements for the
purpose of clarity and workability of the scheme.
Following the initial six months operation of the scheme planning officers are working through a list
of potential amendments with a view to reporting these to Council in the coming months. Aspects
that require a considerable body of work are not likely to be in the first significant round of
amendments, because their completion would hold up the balance of amendments which could be
advanced in the shorter term.
While proposed amendments cover a wide variety of issues the following list provides a flavour of
the aspects currently under review.
     Improved clarity and consistency around language and terminology
     Additional administrative definitions and editor’s notes where needed
     Additional illustrations where needed
     Application of split zonings on bushland blocks where owners have agreed they want some
      of their land zoned for Environmental Management & Conservation
     Select zone changes to facilitate social housing
     Review of regulation around private landings / jetties
     Review of the industry thresholds and the impact these have on the ability to carry out home
      based businesses
     Refining provisions for accommodation and enterprises in the rural and rural residential
      zones to ensure they facilitate the types of activities sought for these areas
     Review of tables of development for the overlays to ensure they are clear and not
      overregulating minor forms of development such as houses or domestic outbuildings
     Review of tables of assessments for various centres
     Review the entertainment and business activities codes including hours of operations for
      some uses
     Amendments to further encourage small dwellings, particularly in and close to centres
     Review of code provisions to ensure they are consistent with the State’s new Walkable
      Neighbourhoods regulations

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