2022-01-17 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                     17 JANUARY 2022


Historically the Noosa Heads area, has contained a significant number of holiday houses and
holiday units. However, over time properties used for short term accommodation has continued to
increase and this has eroded the supply of dwellings available for permanent residents. More
recently the ease and popularity of on-line booking platforms has further incentivised property
owners to make properties available for short term accommodation which has further disrupted the
supply of dwellings for permanent accommodation.
Whilst the proposal is in part consistent with the Noosa Heads Local Plan in that it contributes to
the provision of tourist accommodation, the code does not seek to increase visitor accommodation
in the Medium Density Residential area and seeks to provide multi-unit accommodation for both
permanents and visitors. As demonstrated by the above figures 6 & 7 the medium density
residential neighbourhood contains a significant number of properties being used for short-term
accommodation. The area also includes properties with a development approval which provides
for the dwellings to be used interchangeably for permanent or short-term accommodation.
Based on the Tourism accommodation carrying capacity data (April 2020) 45% of residential
dwellings in Noosa Heads, including houses and units were in use as Short Term Accommodation
or for home hosted.
The proposal for additional short-term accommodation within the Medium Density Neighbourhood
that is already largely characterised by short term accommodation does not comply with the
Purpose and Overall Outcome (a) of the Medium Density Residential Zone Code. In addition, as
the proposal is for the use to establish within new dwellings, it does not comply with the Purpose
and Overall Outcome (h) of the Medium Density Residential Zone Code, which seeks to ensure
Short-term visitor accommodation is predominately provided through well-established resorts and
holiday units.
The proposal is also not consistent with the Purpose and Overall Outcomes (1) and (2)(f) of the
Visitor Accommodation Code and is likely to detract from the amenity enjoyed by residents given
resident’s reasonable expectations for the area. Increasing visitor accommodation in this area is
likely to further impact on the amenity of remaining permanent residents and impact on the
availability of dwelling units for permanent residents.
3.4   Public Notification
The application was publicly notified for fifteen (15) business days in accordance with the Planning
Act 2016. Twenty nine (29) properly made submissions were received. The following table provides
a summary and assessment of the issues raised by submitters.
 Matters Raised                                    Comments
 Noise                                             Agree. The dual occupancy is within close proximity to
                                                   other units/dwellings nearby and has the potential to
                                                   cause adverse amenity affects.
 Issue arise when holiday makers and               Agree. Visitors have different expectations to that of
 permanent residents reside in a complex.          permanent residents and issues are known to arise
                                                   from the mix of these uses onsite.
 There is already a plethora of short term         Agree. There is no further need for short term
 accommodation in the surrounding area and         accommodation in this area.
 therefore sufficient short term accommodation
 in the area.
 This has the potential be a loss of revenue for   Loss of revenue is not a planning matter.
 other short term accommodation businesses.

4.    CONCLUSION & REASONS FOR DECISION
The application seeks approval to utilise an approved dual occupancy (currently under
construction), situated within the Medium Density Residential Zone, for the purpose of short-term
accommodation. The planning scheme seeks to prioritise the preservation of medium density
residential neighbourhoods for predominantly permanent residential dwellings and seeks to protect
the amenity of surrounding residential areas from the impacts of short-term accommodation.


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