PM Submission - Charmian Holland - MCU21/0110

Subject: Proposed Resort Complex.  Application MCU21/0110.  61 Noosa Springs Drive, Noosa Heads, Qld 4567
From: Charmian Holland
Date: 2021-12-07T01:21:54+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

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Dear Councillors,

Important reasons to say ‘no’ to proposed Noosa Springs Hotel

Noosa Council recently put Noosa residents first when six out of seven Councillors supported the Short Term Accommodation Local Law (STA LL). You put residents ahead of out-of-town, and, in this case, foreign investors, and now we urge you to do it again. Your decision, reached in the face of strident opposition by vested interests, was applauded by the majority of Noosa ratepayers. It  was as defining for Noosa as major past decisions which have benefited the community and residents and made Noosa the place it is today.

In its STA LL decision Council recognised that owner/occupiers established homes here because of what Noosa offers. We reasonably expected that these attributes, along with residential amenity and safety, would be maintained by ongoing Council decisions.

The proposed Noosa Springs Hotel challenges these expectations, which are held by some 1000+ Noosa residents – your voters, in the Noosa Springs area. We are the home owners of Parkridge, Elysium and Noosa Springs.

For us, the proposal will


  *   Generate increased traffic congestion
  *   Cause additional noise
  *   Threaten our safe escape in the event of a fire in the adjacent national park and other treed areas in this precinct, while also impeding access by firefighters and emergency vehicles.


Traffic congestion and safety

There is only one very narrow access road to the Parkridge/Noosa Springs area, including the proposed hotel site. The hotel developer’s contention that most visitors will be bussed from the airport is unrealistic and does not reflect current or past practice, plus the beautiful but narrow access road does not lend itself to busses.  Traditionally at least half Noosa’s visitors come by car.  If past transport numbers are repeated with even 70 per cent hotel occupancy  of the 112 projected units there would be a massive increase in the number of cars per day on this narrow road. Additional traffic will include delivery trucks and vans servicing the hotel on a daily basis.

Fire

The area is surrounded by the Noosa National Park.  With climate change bringing not only the increased incidence of bush infernos, but also mounting evidence that this will occur, it is unthinkable to wish to increase the number of people whose lives will be at risk in a dry season.  Fire would, of course, pose a significant risk for residents and potential hotel guests alike.   Should a fire match the intensity of the Peregian Beach inferno of 2019, Noosa Springs Drive, Links Avenue and Resort Drive could  become potential death traps for the existing 1000+ residents, the members and employees of Noosa Springs Golf Club and any additional hotel guests.  Our proximity to the Noosa National Park, and lack of alternative escape routes,  already concerns me greatly.

Noise

Noise – generated by the Noosa Springs gym and events facilities – is already an issue for Parkridge residents. Over two hundred guests and staff at the proposed hotel, together with associated vehicle movements, will significantly increase noise levels.

Destination management

You’ve made much of Noosa redirecting its tourism budget from promotion to destination management. The control of congestion and fire are two issues central to effective destination management and the well being of residents and visitors alike.

We are appealing for the STA LL approach of putting residents first to be expressed again with Noosa Councillors voting for residential amenity and safety ahead of investor expectations.  You will again be applauded and supported by the community for such a decision.

Charmian Holland
1531/1 Lakeview Rise
Noosa Heads, Qld 4567