PM Submission Object - Rochelle Gooch - MCU16/0153 & REC16/0041

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       Patrick Murphy
       The Assessment Officer
       Noosa Shire Council
       [email protected]



       Dear Mr Murphy,
       MCU 16/153 REC 16/0041
       215 David Low Way, PEREGIAN BEACH
       Multiple Housing-Type 4, Visitor Accomodation



       Submission re The Scanlon Group Development Proposal
       1) This Material Change of Use Application contravenes the Noosa Town Plan & will destroy Peregian’s
       point of difference & the attraction of our village for residents, holiday makers & shoppers. The Caravan
       Park amenity, that was the real ‘essence’ of Peregian village, will be replaced by urban density with scarce
       landscaping to soften the architectural bulk & concrete structures.

       2) Non Compliance with Noosa Council requirements with the majority of the accommodation proposed
       for Permanent Housing. Priced from $725,000 to $850,000, this proposal hardly provides low cost visitor
       accommodation for the needs of this community, nor the wider Noosa Shire. Peregian Beach has already
       been adversely impacted by nearby ‘new’ small lot housing developments that lack public amenity, open
       space & village lifestyle. Low cost accommodation for campers & RVs would be an acceptable community
       solution, celebrating the open space & providing a beach holiday experience for all.

       3) Setbacks in general & to the Rufous laneway in particular, impinge on Noosa’s Master Plan for Rufous St
       Renewal which is currently in progress, community amenity values & the extensive community
       consultation process intended to activate the Bush to Beach pathway upgrade & encourage increased
       useage. The leafy ambience planned for both Rufous laneway & Pocket Park to encourage parking &
       pedestrian access to the village would be greatly compromised by proximity of 2m setbacks & 7m height of
       the proposed Reed & Wallum buildings, on top of whatever level of fill is added to natural ground level.

       4 ) The Development’s significant impact on the Creeks & Wetland, both during construction & upon
       completion is of tremendous concern, as is the planned density of housing on top of & beside this
       ecologically sensitive reserve, adjacent Noosa National Park – Emu Swamp Section.

       The natural spring, recognised in the 1960s & probably for thousands of years by our indigenous forebears,
       known locally as Little Rufous Creek joins a second watercourse that feeds the wetland & contributes
       immensely to its ecology. This DA positions Lots 10,11 & 12 totally within expanded watercourse, as well
       as the gabion wall, roadway, landscaping & retention ponds. Parts of Lots 12 & 6, the Community Pool
       Pavilion & Hotel/Motel also appear to be within the footprint of the watercourse. Significant disturbance
       to the ecology & hydrology of this site & associated impacts on the adjoining Council Reserve & Noosa
       National Park –Emu Swamp Section, is unacceptable & needs to be examined.

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       To address the DA’s plans, approximately 25,000 cubic metres of imported fill will be required, giving rise
       to 150 trips per day for at least 3 months. This means one heavy vehicle axle load every 3-4 minutes along
       David Low Way, down Sandpiper Court, through the IGA carpark & then back out via the Heron St
       roundabout. The impacts of such large amounts of fill, will create fragmentation of the watercourse, its
       habitat values & biodiversity - an environmental injustice for Qld Govt’s identified Mandatory Essential
       Habitat. Much of the western half of the site, including Little Rufous Creek, adjacent watercourse & the
       associated remnant vegetation have been mapped by the State as Matters of State Environmental
       Significance (MSES).

       There is no reference in the DA of the planned disturbance to essential wetland habitat for the vulnerable
       Wallum Froglet( Crinia tinnula), Wallum Rocketfrog (Litoria freycinet), Wallum Sedgefrog (Litoria
       oblongburensis), nor the impact on wetland heathland & sedgeplain, inhabited by the vulnerable Ground
       Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) recorded less than 500ms from the site.

       I’m seriously concerned that this proposal will cause significantly adverse environmental impacts on
       wildlife habitat, regulated vegetation, high ecological significance wetlands & protected area, as it fails to
       recognize or provide protection for these mandated areas nor adequately mitigate the impacts of the
       planned development upon them.




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       5) Significant & continuous Noise & Disruption to homes along David Low Way, adjoining streets, laneway,
       PB Hotel, Hardware store, business & private premises in the vicinity of the roadways & roundabout is
       guaranteed. The impact will be to the detriment of acoustic & visual qualities, lifestyle, holiday village
       ambience & business, especially al fresco dining/coffee shops that all enjoy fresh air & sounds of nature.

       6) Substantially Increased Traffic & Congestion is assured during construction as standing traffic queues
       currently form at all accesses to the roundabout, particularly at daily peak times, exacerbated further
       during school & public holidays. The proposed development risks being a serious source of additional
       congestion & given the layout/landform, nigh on impossible to mitigate in the future.

       7) Foreground Vistas of the wetland & its vegetation across Noosa National Park-Emu Swamp Section to Mt
       Cooroy will be diminished, in fact lost, to the bulky Hotel/Motel building’s projected heights. Council
       needs to ensure height specifications are accurate & the current expansive views highly valued by
       community & visitors alike, are maintained . Here’s an opportunity to protect & showcase the intent of
       Noosa’s logo ‘Different by Nature’ by altering design or lowering the amount of fill to protect the
       invaluable amenity of open space & ‘community vistas’.

       8) Other concerns include density of buildings & infrastructure within the precinct, the provision of scarce
       green space/vegetation/shade, preferred orientation to sunlight & natural breezes, the provision of public
       access pathway between two story buildings, with little to recommend passive surveillance, particularly at
       night. Light pollution is a further issue as every new light bulb impacts adversely on Peregian’s
       disappearing night sky, particularly of concern with the density planned for this site.

       9) So many missed opportunities to work with community in consultation with Noosa Council’s Master Plan
       for Rufous St & the adjoining laneway to add to the amenity. The north western corner’s existing
       vegetation could have seen the creation of green space/parkland to embellish the precinct for visitors &
       local community with potential to make genuine connections between Rufous St /Laneway with this
       development. Instead, it separates itself from the village feel, in fact opposes the local residential
       community & village activities associated with the function & interaction of Kindergarten, Veggie Village,
       Tennis Club & Community House, all nearby neighbours & impacted by the planned development.

       This proposal conflicts with community values, endorsed by all who reside & those who choose to visit this
       relaxed pedestrian location, where thongs, even bare feet are the norm. It delivers instead, undesirable
       urban density & city lifestyle that’s aesthetically at odds with PB’s much sought after open space linkages,
       relaxed village character & community engagement.

       I urge Noosa Council to protect & retain the village of Peregian Beach, to stand strong behind the intent of
       the Noosa Town Plan & refuse this Development Application.

       Rochelle Gooch
       1/22 Shearwater St                                                                 [email protected]
       Peregian Beach 4573                                                                         21st April 2017




Document Set ID: 20307954
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