2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 81-167

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    25 MARCH 2014


Architectural photomontages submitted with the application of the development’s Lake Weyba
presentation appear to misrepresent the likely outcome. It’s unclear if they accurately represent
the altered landform from bulk earthwork cuts adjacent the lake and the full built form potential of
the houses in Precinct 1. The montages also show retained existing mature trees behind new
houses - which will not be the case, as all trees within the urban lots are to be removed. Trees
are also indicated within the 10m stormwater management zone and additional trees are shown
within the buffer to the lake, which is contrary to other application material. The development’s
potential impact on the visual amenity of Lake Weyba is significant and conflicts with both local
planning scheme provisions in this regard.

Affordable Living & Positive Ageing

The Sunshine Coast Affordable Living Strategy and Sunshine Coast Positive Ageing Strategy are
relevant to this proposal. The applicable policy statement within the Affordable Living
frameworks states – Council will strive to achieve a provision of housing and aged care that
promotes positive housing and ageing in place.

The Sunshine Coast Affordable Living Strategy 2010-2020 contains a framework of 7 outcomes
and associated principles, being:
 Housing diversity
 Housing affordability
 Self-contained neighbourhoods
 Transport options
 Supportive environments
 Resource efficiency, and
 Economic Development.

The policy has been created to provide guidance on how specific housing needs may be
achieved. The proposal for a range of lot sizes and a retirement living meets some of the
outcomes/principles identified in the strategy as follows:
 Caters for a range of dwelling types and income levels;
 The staging of the proposal would allow for adaptability of the product to meet the changing
   needs of the market; and
 Provision of a retirement living units goes some way to the intention of self-contained
   neighbourhoods.

Although there are some positives, the Needs Assessment does not expand on the type or use of
the 220 dwellings planned for retirement living, other than to identify them as “predominately
Independent Living Units with some small one bedroom low care apartments”.

The current “ageing in place” philosophy, as supported by the State Government, seeks planning
and development of aged care whereby residents are able to move through differing and
increasing levels of care as their needs change. While the proposal may assist in the early
stages of ageing in place, the Noosa on Weyba development does not further support the
“ageing in place” philosophy, requiring residents to move away from the neighbourhood as their
care needs increase. The applicant has not demonstrated that the inclusion of Independent
Living Units is best suited to this particular site, as the location relies heavily on private vehicle
usage and is not easily accessible to a range of services and conveniences.




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