Objection MCU18

                                   Objection MCU18/0006.03

Councillors and the Mayor are elected to represent the interests of their constituents
(residents) and the wider interests of the Shire. Planning officers are employed to serve
Council and the interests of the Shire, and to assess applications (MCU this instance) against
the provisions of the Noosa Plan 2020.

The proposed Material Change of Use application MCU18/0006.03 at 10 Hill St
Sunshine Beach should be refused because it is:

   •   inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions and intent of the Noosa Plan 2020;

   •   is contrary to the interests of local residents and nearby traditional accommodation
       business providers;

   •   is contrary to the interests of the local community; does not meet community
       expectations of Council decision making vis-a-vis preservation of existing housing
       stock in the midst of an extreme housing crisis; and if approved would diminish
       public confidence and trust in Council.


Provisions of the Noosa Plan 2020 and the Planning Act 2016 - Due Process and Appropriate
Governance

The applicants have made application, as required, under the Noosa Plan, knowing their
application is code assessable and must meet all (my emphasis) elements of the Noosa Plan.
The applicants have utilised the services of experienced consultants to prepare the
application. The consultants are well versed in the Noosa Plan and are therefore cognisant
that Council has the power to reject the application if it does not meet all elements of the
Noosa Plan; and whilst planning officers provide guidance to applicants, it is usual practice
to make it clear to applicants that their application may be rejected by Council if Council is
not satisfied that the proposal meets all elements. Furthermore, at the General Meeting of
Council, 12 July, 2021, Ms Coyle advised Council that, applicants seeking Short Term
Accommodation approvals in Medium Density Zones had been assisted by planning officers
and been advised their applications would be likely to be recommended for refusal due to
unacceptable density levels of STA in the locales, rendering the applications inconsistent
with the Noosa Plan. Applicants were given the opportunity to recoup fees by withdrawing
applications.

I cannot confirm, but believe on the basis of Ms Coyle’s statements, it is likely the applicants
of MCU 18/0006.03 were similarly advised. Regardless, the applicants have, since the
General Meeting of Council on 12/7 been publicly advised that there is a problem with
density levels of STA in Sunshine Beach to the degree that future applications, MCU
18/0006.03 included, are likely to be recommended for refusal by Council Planning staff. I

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