2019-12-11 SM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 5 - Final New Noosa Plan - Part 1-6 - Clean version

Ensuring the maintenance of Noosa's low­key leafy village feel is important to the Noosa community. Part of the 'Noosa Style' is its
award­winning local architecture and designs that suit Noosa's subtropical climate and lifestyle. The 'look and feel' of public spaces and
buildings enhance the liveability of local communities. Development is integrated with the landform. The green backdrop of the hills and
mountains provide a natural backdrop to many urban areas in the hinterland and along the coast, as well as Noosa North Shore. These
landscape features are important to local character and identity. Urban places are stylish but understated. City symbols such as high rise
buildings, signage, advertising and traffic lights are minimised. Roads are designed to be pedestrian friendly. Drive­through fast food
premises are not appropriate for main street style centres. Any form of development that has the potential to adversely impact on
surrounding natural resources and environmental values will be located and designed to avoid environmental harm or nuisance.
In the development context, Noosa Council's corporate plan vision – 'Different by Nature' – has been adopted because of this unique
approach.


Key challenges

The planning scheme will focus on a number of key challenges including:
      the changing nature of businesses including increased diversity in key sectors and provision for multi​purpose flexible work
      spaces
      the impacts of climate change on the local environment, economy and communities
      an aging population and meeting the housing, health, social and transport needs of an increasing proportion of
      elderly people
      diversity in housing choice to provide suitable residential accommodation for low income earners and key workers
      the need to keep pace with rapidly evolving transport systems and technology, plus meeting the transport needs of locals, key
      workers and visitors
      large populations to the south of Noosa Shire adding to demands on services, facilities, open space and car­parking areas during
      peak times.


Economy

Noosa’s current economy relies significantly on the tourism, retail, health and construction sectors. To ensure longer term sustainable
and resilient economic growth it is desirable to broaden the economic structure of the local economy through industry diversification. The
Local Economic Plan aims to do this via growth in the ‘smart’ industry sectors that offer high economic value and low environmental
impact. These sectors include sustainable tourism, healthcare and wellness, the digital economy, environmental industries, rural
enterprises, creative industries, professional services, and education and training. The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 sets
a projected employment target of 11,000 new jobs across all sectors in Noosa Shire by 2041.

Local economies need to be adaptable and responsive to global and regional fluctuations and changes. Fundamental to Noosa's shift
towards a smart economy is the attraction and retention of skilled people, and the development of collaborative alliances and
connections. This requires flexible accommodation and work arrangements focused on digital infrastructure and multi​use work spaces
of various sizes and price points. It also requires suitably located and zoned employment lands to encourage growth of these sectors.
This includes urban land at the Noosa Business Centre, Noosaville industrial areas, Noosa Junction, Peregian Beach and Cooroy.


Climate change and emissions reduction

The climate is already changing. We are experiencing increasing average temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and impacts on our
natural environment. The Noosa community is transitioning to a zero emissions future that supports jobs, industries, communities and
the environment. Noosa Council is committed to playing its part in the global effort to address climate change through adopting and
promoting energy efficiency measures, encouraging renewable energy and low emissions technology, waste minimisation and carbon
capture and storage, promoting 'infill development' in existing urban areas over urban sprawl and encouraging changes in transport to
reduce private car use. Buildings are required to be designed in accordance with contemporary sustainability measures both in design
and materials. Council is working with the community to prepare for, and adapt to, a changing climate through improving our
understanding of what is changing, making use of best science and making sure land use, transport infrastructure and development
decisions take climate change into consideration.


Demographic change

Noosa’s population is expected to continue to age and will require specific responses to meet the housing, transport, health and
wellbeing needs of elderly residents. By 2041, the proportion of residents aged 65 years and over is predicted to rise to around 30 per
cent. Hence there is a need for all forms of housing suitable for retirees and elderly people including residential care, retirement

  **FINAL DRAFT ­ Post Consultation 2019**
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