MCU250042 - Response to Information Request · MCU25/0042

The Livable Housing Design Standards under the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 came into effect on 1
October, 2023 which changes the way new houses are designed and bult in Queensland. The new regulations
require all dwelling houses to be accessible to people with disabilities, the elderly and families with young
children.

These new regulations result in the enlargement of homes so as to cater for:

        step-free access – lift included to provide access to the upper floors when stairs were generally only
         provided;

        wider doorways and hallways – increasing the floor space and accessibility within the dwelling house
         without compromising the use of the each of the rooms;

        larger bathrooms for accessibility; and

        accessible bedrooms – providing for additional clear space around beds for accessibility.

The proposed development has embraced the changes in regulations (as it is compulsory) as the dwelling
house is intended for the applicants now and into their later years hence accessibility is functionality cannot be
compromised.

As demonstrated in the proposal plans, the rooms, doorways and hallways have been made wider to seek
compliance with this regulation.

While we understand the importance of plot ratio, the 0.40:1 for dwelling houses, particularly given the
changes in regulations impacting on the design of dwelling house and therefore restricts the family home we
respectively request consideration for a minor increase of less than 10% or 39.41m2 to meet a plot ratio of
0.48:7.

Issue – Roof Forms
It has not been fully demonstrated that the proposed form of the roof is consistent with the character of the area.
The design appears to dominate the streetscape and result in a box profile particularly when compared to existing
developments to the east of the site.
Information Required
Provide further justification of how the development meets the performance criteria for PO19 of the Medium
Density Residential Zone Code. Providing examples of other existing or approved development in the locality will
assist with demonstrating this justification.
Provide an amended roof and façade design that avoids boxy profiles and provides sufficient eaves in accordance
with PO19/AO19.1 of the Medium Density Residential Zone Code.
To reduce bulk and increase visual interest, it is requested that an alternative means of screening is investigated.
The amended roof and façade design is required to further address PO14/AO14.1 and AO14.2 of the Medium
Density Residential Zone Code.
RESPONSE:
In response to PO19/A019.1, it is noted AO19.1 states ‘with the exception of Noosa Heads and Coastal
Communities’, we confirm the subject site is located in the Noosa Heads Local Area.
Despite this statement, we confirm the upper floor level of the roof provides for 600mm eaves to almost 100%
of its perimeter with the remaining south-east corner exceeding this to provide a ‘soaring-roof’ corner detail.
The design uses a lightweight construction with broad eaves and natural materials that reflects the
surrounding site specific elements (trees and native vegetation) to reduce apparent bulk and align with the
intended outcomes of PO19 and AO19.1.
In response to PO14/A014.1 and AO14.2, the current design seeks to recede rather than stand out in its
streetscape, this has been achieved through a number of curated design cues that respond to PO/AO14.1 and
AO14.2.