MCU14/0106 Appendix J - Retail Needs Assessment

3           Retail Planning Framework
This section reviews the relevant regional and local planning framework, with regard to the policy intent
for future retail development of centres.


3.1         SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND REGIONAL PLAN (SEQRP)
The SEQRP is the regional planning framework which guides the development of the South East
Queensland region. It reflects and informs State planning policies and priorities, and informs local
                               1
government plans and policies .

3.1.1       ACTIVITY CENTRE FRAMEWORK
The network of regional activity centres in the SEQRP sets out to focus urban development and growth in
strategic locations to encourage multipurpose centres. This concept, which is a common approach in
most parts of Australia, encourages the development of centres that:

     support and create economic growth through the co-location of a mix of land uses;

     provide concentrated goods and services making them appropriate for investment from government
      in public transport, health, education, cultural and entertainment facilities;

     provides a focus for community and social interaction;

     promotes multipurpose trips to reduce the demand on private transport;

     enhance opportunities for land use and transport integration; and

     provide diverse mixed-use residential environments.

The SEQRP identifies a number of different types of activity centres in the planned network of centres.
Activity centres for urban purposes range in size from the Primary Activity Centre, Brisbane CBD, to
Principal Regional Activity Centres, such as Maroochydore, then Major Regional Activity Centres, such as
Noosa.

In accordance with this network of centres, the following provides an overview of the intents in the area of
relevance to the Noosa Civic and their designation under the SEQRP.

PRINCIPAL REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTRES
Across the Sunshine Coast as a whole, Maroochydore is designated as the Principal Regional Activity
Centre (PRAC). The SEQRP notes that PRACs “serve catchments of regional significance and
                                              2
accommodate key concentrations of employment. ”

Other key functions include business services, comparison and convenience retail, and service uses.
They provide a secondary administrative focus for regional offices of government, and significant health,
education, cultural and entertainment facilities.

MAJOR REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTRES
There are seven Major Regional Activity Centres (MRACs) of relevance in the Sunshine Coast, namely
Noosa, Caloundra, Caloundra South, Kawana, Sippy Downs, Nambour and Beerwah. These centres
complement the PRACs by serving catchments of sub-regional significance and accommodating key
                         3
employment concentrations .




1
  South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, page 7
2
  Ibid, page 97
3
  Ibid, page 96




30     RETAIL PLANNING FRAMEWORK
                                                                                                                       URBIS
                                                                NOOSA CIVIC - RETAIL NEEDS ASSESSMENT DEC 2014 MASTER - FINAL