MCU25/0006 - Development Application For Material Change Of Use - Short Term Accommodation (Backpackers Accommodation) At 17 Russell St, Noosaville · Attachment 1 - MCU25 0006 - Planning Officer’S Report

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                                07 OCTOBER 2025


To achieve this increase in development density the Applicant seeks relaxations to plot ratio of
45% (Acceptable Outcome maximum 40%), GFA 533m² (Acceptable Outcome 396m²) and plot
ratio 0.88:1 (Acceptable Outcome maximum 0.65:1).
In support of the design, the Applicant submits that overlooking towards adjacent premises and
properties can be managed with the inclusion of screening and container landscaping at the edges
of the unenclosed balconies providing a physical setback at levels 2 and 3 and at the rooftop
terrace. While it is agreed that container landscaping will provide a degree of screening to the
roof top terrace area, the landscape planters will not be substantial with the terrace positioned at
the rear of the site and noticeable from the majority of surrounding developments. Further the
upper level balconies still provide opportunities for overlooking as indicated in Figure 10, yellow
shade.
The proposal also does not comply with the required 2.0 metre side and rear landscape widths
with the ground level dining and car parking areas encroaching well into these setbacks. Ground-
level landscaping represents 17% of the site which is substantially below the 30% required under
the code.