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


2.      APPLICATION BACKGROUND
22 August 2024 - Pre-lodgement meeting for a proposed 64 bed backpackers’ accommodation
(Council Reference: PLM24/0032). Meeting confirmed the proposal would trigger a Material
Change of Use requiring Impact Assessment. Meeting notes confirmed that site zoning was
intended for permanent residents and proposed scale of proposal significantly increased the
potential for reverse amenity to adjoining premises.

26 February 2025 - Council Information Request issued. Matters raised included the need for the
proposed land use and the intensity of the proposed development within the High Density
Residential zone. Other matters of concern included the unenclosed balconies adjacent side
boundaries and the inability to accommodate on site servicing and waste management operations
onsite

24 June 2025 - The original application sought approval for 60 beds however was modified to 48
beds in response to Council’s information request.

21 July 2025 - Commencement of Public notification. (Note: The Noosa Plan 2020 – Amendment
2 and its accompanying explanatory material were publicly notified on 31 May 2024).

3.      SITE DETAILS
3.1. Site History
23 January 1980: TPC1054, Council approval for a Multiple Dwelling (3 x 3 bedroom units), 3
carparks and 1 visitor space (existing development).
20 September 2022: Short Stay Letting approvals SSL222/1817, SSL222/1818 and SSL222/1820.
Each approval for use of 3 bedrooms and 6 persons, a total of 18 persons.
3.2. Site Description
The subject site (Figure 5) comprises Lots 0–3 on BUP3913 and occupies a 609m² rectangular
allotment with an approximate 15-metre street frontage and 40 metre depth.




                          Figure 5 - Subject Site, 17 Russell Street existing development.
     Left image, image view from Russell street. Right image, image taken from rear of site looking northeast.

An existing covered car parking area for 3 spaces is located at the rear of the site (Figure 5, right
image). This structure to be removed to accommodate the new building extension.