NOOSA PLAN 2020 PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 2 - POST PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR FINAL STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTERIAL APPROVAL · Attachment 1 Table of submissions

 Your Say    ECM         Submitter comments                                                                                             Response   Recommendation
 Reference   reference
             23108595    If the site were rezones, property owners might mistakenly believe permanent accommodation of the
                         downstairs studio was allowed, leading to management issues and misunderstandings. This presents
                         a significant risk to public health and safety due to the fire risks associated with permanent occupation
                         of the units. Converting studios into permanent accommodation is impractical due to current building
                         compliance, fire separation requirements, and existing court rulings.
                         It would be interesting to have up to date STL figures because the Tourism boom is now over and
                         reports I have been hearing is that much of the housing in residential zones that took advantage of one
                         of the biggest tourism booms in the towns history are now converting back to permanent rental due to
                         lack of occupancy for these homes.
                         The resort is a crucial part of Noosa’s tourism infrastructure, offering affordable lodging for tourists,
                         hospital visitors, and professionals. Rezoning could reduce available holiday letting units, impacting the
                         local tourism and business economy.
                         Noosa Lakes has an excellent Management Team that keep the pools, grounds and buildings in very
                         good condition and appearance for the enjoyment of tourists visiting the area.
                         A reduction in holiday lets could devalue the business managed by Noosa Blue Lakes Property
                         Management Pty Ltd, causing financial hardship.
                         Noosa Lakes currently employees approximately 20+ people from the Noosa region in full-time, part-
                         time and casual capacity. It also contributes indirectly to over 20 businesses and trades from web-
                         design, electricians, plumbers, carpet cleaners, retail and wholesale suppliers, The change of zoning
                         will have significant impact on these local people and small businesses that are part of the tourism eco-
                         system.
                         The proposed changes seek to address the issue of affordable housing in the immediate Noosa area.
                         The proposed zone changes for a Resort property will not have any short to medium term impact on
                         housing supply or affordability. The Zone change merely limits the site for future redevelopment which
                         will be impractical due to conflict with the state BCCM Legislation.
                         The resort supports a specific tourism market segment, including guests visiting Noosa Hospital,
                         corporate employees, school sporting and educational groups, grey nomads and visitors to the National
                         Parks infrastructure. Reducing affordable accommodation could have broader economic implications
                         and will perpetuate community perception of Noosa being un-affordable
                         Increased density could strain local infrastructure, including parking, traffic, waste and public amenities,
                         impacting the quality of life for residents and guests.
                         Studio apartments in Noosa Lakes Resort tend to be small and not suitable for long term rental. This
                         resort should stay as short-term accommodation only. It is a holiday resort and that is what it should be
                         zoned as regardless of the housing crisis. Approve purpose-built dwellings that will provide
                         accommodation in Noosa Shire that fits long term tenants.
                         The units cannot comply with criteria for Medium Density (no private areas, outdoor spaces in view of
                         other units, carparking is visible in front of each unit). Only if the entire Noosa Lakes Resort were
                         demolished and rebuilt then could it possibly be redesigned and laid-out to meet Medium Density
                         requirements. But I don’t see this as a likely scenario. Also the Council is advocating for more homes
                         to suit the aging population. Currently Noosa Lakes Resort units are double story and on stilts, so there
                         are many stairs. If redeveloped, for an aging population, stairs are not suitable.
                         The Resort is bordered by the Lake Doonella Riparian Buffer and is in Acid Sulphate Soil zone.
                         Redevelopment with these factors provides many complexities to building and may significantly reduce
                         further the possible medium density accommodation on this site.
                         Noosa Lakes Resort is the only tourist/short-stay accommodation in Tewantin. While there are many
                         tourists that stay closer to Hastings St, Noosa Junction, Noosaville, there is great congestion in those
                         areas. Allowing such accommodation further away (but easily accessible via public bus routes) is
                         essential to relieve the load on other areas. Also, Tewantin, Noosa Marina and other areas nearby are
                         also tourist destinations, becoming more so as visitors want an alternative to the Hastings St vibe and
                         Main Beach. Tewantin is a gateway to may outdoor recreation pursuits in National Parks, on the Lakes,
                         river, Noosa North shore etc.
                         Noosa Shire is a tourist destination and relies on itinerant workers. Many businesses in the Noosa Shire
                         rely on the tourist input to survive, so any changes that affect the number of possible tourists to the area
                         can be detrimental. Those same businesses also rely on itinerant workers that can come and stay for
                         a week, month or few months at a time. Many of these workers are using short stay accommodation as
                         a ‘home’ while they work here. Currently using a property for this kind of stay is still considered under
                         the short stay rules – maybe we need a new category to acknowledge and provide accommodation for
                         these kinds of short stay workers?
                         Noosa Lakes Resort was specifically built for tourist accommodation as small motel-style units with
                         facilities in each upstairs or downstairs suitable for short stays. (The larger upstairs areas allow for
                         permanent living as they are also fully equipped with kitchens). There are many single dwelling homes
                         in Noosa that have multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, etc that are only used occasionally as holiday homes
                         by the owners. Many of these then choose to short stay their homes rather than leaving their property
                         empty the rest of the year. But the facilities are excessive for just short-stay tourists occasionally.

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Table of Submissions made regarding Noosa Plan 2020 Proposed Amendment No. 2, 2024