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
                         Loss of Accommodation Options - Rezoning certain visitor accommodation areas to residential use may           The existing tourist accommodation offerings have capacity for over 30,000 visitors. Options range from
                         reduce the number of available lodging options for visitors, visiting friends and relatives, and those        campgrounds to luxury homes and all areas of the Shire have had potential to include some level of
                         needing short-term accommodation for reasons other than holidays. This could lead to a decline in tourism     tourism. The proposed amendments do not result in a reduction of existing STA or other forms of tourist
                         revenue and negatively impact businesses that rely on visitor spending both directly and indirectly.          accommodation which can continue to operate if lawful.
                         Impact on Local Businesses: The reduction in visitor accommodation could affect local businesses,             Noosa has a long history of properties moving between STA, permanent occupancy and private holiday
                         including restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, tours, and attractions which depend on a steady flow      use depending on the owner’s intended use of the property. This movement is not impacted by the
                         of visitors.                                                                                                  proposed planning scheme amendments. There has been a high degree of churn over the last decade as
                         Downzoning and Economic Impacts: The rezoning of areas traditionally used for visitor accommodation           some properties have been removed from letting pools and others have become available. Online booking
                         to residential and local business use can be seen as a downzoning of these sites, reducing their potential    platforms so the emergence of additional dwellings becoming available and self-managed, rather than
                         for new tourism-related developments. This could limit future growth of the tourism sector and the            relying on onsite management.
                         competitiveness of Noosa as a premium holiday destination reducing the number of higher-yielding              The proposed amendments do not reduce STA and can continue to be used by visitors supporting the
                         overnight visitors and subsequently impacting many local businesses reliant on this visitor expenditure.      tourism industry.
                         Investment and Development Constraints: Investors and developers might be discouraged from                    The proposed amendments do not impact a property from being upgraded. If a property was to
                         upgrading existing tourism infrastructure or investing in new tourism infrastructure, if the zoning changes   significantly propose an expansion in floor area, then an assessment will determined around existing use
                         limit the types of permissible developments and/or create constraints that render good projects unviable.     rights and change to the development approval at the time.
                         This could lead to slower economic growth, fewer new (or upgraded) attractions or facilities for overnight    The tourism industry is quite competitive and the economic realities of establishing and running successful
                         visitors and declining appeal as one of Australia’s premium holiday destinations.                             tourism ventures have prevented some hinterland operators from succeeding or even getting off the
                         Opportunities within the hinterland have to date been constrained and limited, particularly in relation to    ground. There are various considerations such as safe access, provision of services, amenity of
                         eco cabins and small boutique operations particularly aligned with the Noosa Trail Network. As coastal        neighbours, compatibility with surrounding rural uses. The proposed amendments continue to allow for a
                         visitor accommodation opportunities have been reduced, Tourism Noosa feels that greater consideration         range of visitor accommodation in the hinterland, whilst also insuring there is no loss of housing for
                         for small-scale development be allowed for uses that align with the Noosa Plan’s strategic vision.            permanent residents.
                         Quality of Stay: Changes in zoning and the potential reduction in visitor accommodations could affect the     There was a significant shift in land formerly zoned Residential under Noosa Plan 2006 that was included
                         overall visitor experience. Ensuring a variety of lodging options and maintaining vibrant business and        in the Tourist Accommodation zone under Noosa Plan 2020, significantly reducing land for permanent
                         entertainment areas are crucial to preserving Noosa's reputation as one of Australia’s premier tourism        residents. The proposed amendments redress the imbalance between land within the Tourist
                         destinations.                                                                                                 Accommodation zone and land with residential zones. The proposed amendments propose land be
                         Considering the concerns and potential impacts outlined above, Tourism Noosa proposes the following           rezoned from Tourist Accommodation zone to a Residential or centre zone and certain land within a
                         recommendations to ensure that the amendments to the Noosa Plan 2020 support both housing diversity           Residential zone is proposed to be included in the Tourist Accommodation zone.
                         and the sustainability of Noosa's essential tourism sector:                                                   There remains significant land within the Tourist Accommodation zone for the purpose of tourist
                         • Preservation of Lodging Options: Preserve the current visitor accommodation zoning for critical areas       accommodation and tourism uses and additionally, a significant portion of existing dwellings within the
                           to ensure that Noosa continues to offer a variety of lodging options to suit a diverse range of visitors.   Medium and High Density Residential zone have development approvals and or existing use rights to
                           This preservation is vital for sustaining the visitor economy and supporting local businesses that rely     operate STA.
                           heavily on visitor spending.                                                                                Council’s economic development strategy seeks to diversify Noosa Shire’s economy and whilst tourism
                         • Economic Stability: By maintaining these zones, we can protect the economic stability of the tourism        is significant, the highest employment sector in Noosa Shire is the healthcare and social services sector.
                           sector, ensuring that local businesses and employment dependent on tourism remain robust.                   It is important the tourism sector is supported by workers that have accommodation that is affordable.
                                                                                                                                       Council’s Housing Strategy outlines a number of actions to address the housing crisis, including the
                         • Visitor Experience: Ensuring a range of accommodation options enhances the visitor experience,
                                                                                                                                       proposed amendments around housing supply and affordability. Infill, not expansion, and small dwellings
                           catering to diverse preferences and budgets, which can lead to higher visitor satisfaction and repeat
                                                                                                                                       in centres is part of the housing solution.
                           visitation.
                                                                                                                                       Considerable community engagement occurred as part of the proposed amendment public notification
                         • Encouraging Regional Dispersal of Visitors: Investing in the hinterland will help distribute peak period
                                                                                                                                       process including 7 pop ups, stakeholder meetings, factsheets and the like over a 6 week period extended
                           traffic more evenly across the region, reducing pressure on coastal areas and promoting a more
                                                                                                                                       to 8 weeks for submissions.
                           sustainable tourism model. This approach will enhance the visitor experience by offering more diverse
                           attractions and accommodation, thereby increasing the overall appeal of the Noosa region.                   Significant research, data collection and specialist studies where required are undertaken as part of the
                                                                                                                                       planning scheme amendment process. The public submission and review process provides additional
                         • Creation of Local Jobs: Developing tourism infrastructure in the hinterland will generate new               feedback and input into the proposed amendment process.
                           employment opportunities, particularly in areas where affordable housing is more viable. This initiative
                           will support local economies and contribute to community well-being by providing residents with
                           accessible job options within their vicinity.
                         • Supporting Affordable Housing: By focusing on regions where affordable housing is more feasible, we
                           can ensure that the workforce required for new tourism developments has access to suitable living
                           conditions. This strategy not only addresses housing affordability but also helps in retaining a stable
                           workforce for the tourism and hospitality sector.
                         • Sustainable Growth and Development: Targeted investment in the hinterland aligns with sustainable
                           development principles. It promotes the balanced use of resources, preserves the natural environment,
                           and fosters long-term economic resilience.
                         • Exploration of Other Areas: Explore other areas within the Noosa region for developing affordable and
                           diverse housing options. This approach prevents the need to rezone existing visitor accommodation
                           areas, thereby preserving their use exclusively for tourism purposes.
                         • Balanced Development: This strategy supports balanced development, ensuring that housing needs
                           are met without compromising the availability of visitor accommodations.
                         • Community Support: By identifying and utilising areas more suited for residential development, we can
                           garner community support and minimise resistance from stakeholders invested in tourism zones.
                         • Inclusive Planning Process: Engage more deeply with tourism operators, local businesses, and
                           residents most likely to be impacted to gather comprehensive feedback on the proposed amendments.
                           This engagement ensures that the planning process considers the needs and perspectives of all key
                           stakeholders, particularly primary stakeholders.

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