2020-03-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    10 MARCH 2020


The Tourist Accommodation Zone code includes an outcome which seeks to protect a number of
sites for the purpose of a resort complex or short term accommodation to the general exclusion
of permanent residents. The subject site has not been included in the list of sites.
Specific to the subject site, multiple dwellings are identified as a consistent use which would be
subject to an impact assessable application process.
It is also noted that the draft planning scheme increases the permissible plot ratio on the site from
0.4:1 to 0.65:1.
6.    CONSULTATION
6.1. Referral Agencies
The application did not require referral to a Referral Agency.
6.2. Other Referrals
The application was forwarded to the following internal Council specialists:
 Coordinator Development Engineering
 Environment Officer
 Strategic Planning Officer
The application was also reviewed by Council’s consulting ecologist and storm water engineer,
and their comments form part of this report.
7.    CONCLUSION & REASONS FOR DECISION
The application is for a minor change relating to a Development Permit for Material Change of
Use - Multiple Dwelling (10 units) at 142 Noosa Drive Noosa Heads. In October 2018 an
application to extend the currency period of the approval was refused by Council, with the
decision subsequently appealed by the applicant. The original approval remains current until
such time as the court decides on the appeal. The appeal is on hold to allow for a decision to be
made on this minor change application.
The original application was made over the subject site and the easement on the adjoining land.
As the proposed works extend beyond the easement on the adjoining land the application
involves a new parcel of land and cannot be considered a minor change. The proposed change
therefore requires a new application to be lodged for assessment.
The application modifies the footprint of the development and includes supporting
documentation, seeking to address the grounds of refusal for the extension of currency period
application. This material includes updated ecological reports, bushfire management plan and
stormwater management plan.
The submitted bushfire management plan proposes removal and management of vegetation
within the part of the site which is required to be dedicated to the Crown (with Council as trustee)
for environmental purposes. Bushfire management works within this area are not supported.
In order to address the loss of koala habitat the applicant has proposed a re-planting regime to
achieve no net loss. Whilst a no net loss approach is desirable the requirements of the bushfire
management plan and impacts of construction, including an acoustic fence, will prevent retention
of a significant number of trees and achievement of adequate planting to result in no net loss to
koala habitat and maintain a linkage for koalas through the site.
Furthermore, review of the submitted stormwater management plan shows that the modelling
does not address all areas requiring stormwater treatment.
The application also proposes to amend the dedication of land to the creation of a covenant. This
approach is not supported due to the adjoining land already being subject to Crown tenure and
the preference that a contiguous land tenure arrangement prevail.
Consequently it is recommended that the application be refused.

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