2019-04-09 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     9 APRIL 2019


Notably, State support for building works does not provide the ‘green light’ for development of the
site as the proposal requires assessment against The Noosa Plan and approval required from
Council to proceed. The proposal does not comply with the Noosa Plan and it cannot be
conditioned to comply with the Planning scheme, as a substantial part of the dwelling is located
within the 15 metre setback and significant alterations would be required to comply.
6.2. Other Referrals
The application was forwarded for comment to:
   Project Co-ordinator, Climate Change Adaptation, Strategic Planning
   Principal Strategic Planner, Strategic Planning
Advice from Strategic Planning is as follows:
Climate change presents considerable increased risk in terms of the severity and frequency of
coastal erosion. Council has a duty of care and statutory obligation to give full consideration to
current and future projected coastal erosion and sea level rise. The coastal building line is an
important regulatory tool for limiting development within coastal hazard areas. While application
of this has not always been consistent over the last few decades, new knowledge about coastal
erosion risks along the Eastern Beaches highlights the need to take a strong position on ensuring
that new development does not encroach seaward of the coastal building line. This is irrespective
of what development is already existing on properties or their neighbouring properties.
Ensuring development does not encroach seaward of the coastal building line preserves
important dune buffer areas that will be increasingly important into the future for stabilising and
slowing dune erosion. It is critical that council has a consistent approach to the way it applies
coastal building lines to help mitigate future risks.
Council’s new coastal hazard mapping for years 2040, 2070 and 2100 show the increased risk to
coastal erosion overtime. At 2040 around half of the subject property is potentially at risk, by
2070 around three-quarters is at risk.
The State’s coastal building lines have been in place since the mid 1980s, and the line is set 15
metres back from the seaward boundary in this location. This affects around a third of the
property at the rear.
Consistent with the Noosa Plan, no new buildings, structures, swimming pools and retaining
walls can occur seaward of the coastal building line, except for uncovered and unenclosed
cantilevered balconies that do not extend greater than 3 metres seaward of the Coastal Building
Line.
6.3. Public Notification
Not applicable. The application is code assessable.
7.   CONCLUSION & REASONS FOR DECISION
The 15m Coastal Building Line setback allows for the natural landscape to be the first line of
storm protection and buffering. Providing the maximum buffer from the sea will ensure that future
development is more resilient to coastal erosion and sea level rise as climate change effects
arise. Furthermore, the 15m setback preserves the integrity and structure of the frontal dune for
longer in the face of increased storm frequency, intensity and erosion without the need for
coastal protection works.
The proposed 6m setback does not provide sufficient natural landscape buffering in this highly
vulnerable erosion prone area. The 6m setback does not minimise the risk to erosion and allows
for potential impacts on and interference with coastal processes.




                                                                                    Page 19 of 90