email correspondence relating to app lodgement.msg

Subject: ATTENTION: KIM RAWLINGS - MCU14/0053.01 - 15 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads - Landscape Conditions
From: Cammeray Investments
Date: 2020-08-18T04:10:16+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

Hi Kim

We have owned the abovementioned property at 15 Noosa Drive for over 35 years. The site was redeveloped in late 2019, and the new building completed in January 2020. Global brand Deus ex machina took up occupancy from mid February 2020. 

We paid a performance bond of $10,000 to Council back on 9 August 2019. On 25 February 2020 we provided a copy of the final inspection report and certificate of building classification to Michael Greeff at Council, and requested a refund of our bond. To our utter dismay and frustration, this has not yet been refunded. Please refer to the email chain provided below between ourselves and Council.

Michael is insisting on the addition of a ‘planter box’ to the front of the property to satisfy condition 13a. of the Minor Change Application regarding soft landscaping. A copy of the Minor Change Application has been attached for your reference – please refer to page 3 ‘additional conditions’.

We engaged a Noosa architect and builder to create a showpiece for the gateway to Hastings St. You will appreciate from the attached photos that the new building sits beautifully within its natural surrounds, with a colour palette and materials that are in harmony with the environment. Landscaping was carried out to the rear of the property, and on Council land along the entire length of the Halse Lane side of the property, using native plants and natural stone. We have a contract in place for the regular maintenance and upkeep of the landscaping on both our land and Council’s.

The most recent directive from Council to satisfy the Decision Notice is to remove the attractive low stone wall at the front of the property and replace this with a planter box. Something that would require intensive watering and maintenance, and would undoubtedly be a target for vandalism and misuse. A rubbish receptacle comes to mind. Not to mention it would be entirely out of character with the rest of the build. We do not believe this request to be practical or tenable in any way, or serve any real purpose. 

The most disappointing aspect in this saga is that the final redevelopment plans that were approved by Council in August 2019 did not contain any soft landscaping to the front of the building, yet no mention of this was made when Council marked up the plans during the approval process. The insistence to provide additional soft landscaping was not addressed with us until March of this year after we requested a refund of our bond. 

We are appealing to you to give this matter your consideration. We trust you will conclude there is little benefit in satisfying condition 13a, that we have significantly enhanced this prominent site, and agree to finalise the return our bond.

Thank you.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Tuesday, 11 August 2020 1:45 PM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Cc: Glen Conforti <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: MCU14/0053.01 - 15 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads - Landscape Conditions

Hi Andrea

I spoke to the planner about this matter last week. 

While Council can appreciate the property’s aesthetics, the requirement for the landscaping to the frontage stands. A planter box would be consistent with many of the other newer developments in the street. The condition was included in the approval prior to any works commencing and it was mentioned by myself at the pre-start meeting. 

Please feel free to call me to discuss this.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5Gg3C1WLARCMDyNtGgsAu?domain=noosa.qld.gov.au/> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Friday, 7 August 2020 9:28 AM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive DRAFT FOR REVIEW
Importance: High

External sender. This external email includes bank account information? Check it is not a fraud!

Hi Michael – thank you for your reply of 3 August.

We respectfully maintain our position stated in our email of 19 June. 

The property looks really good as it is, we’ve since had even more feedback from the Noosa community to this effect. We have worked really hard with local contractors at great cost on redevelopment of the corner to create a showpiece as your enter Hastings St. The building sits comfortably in its natural surrounds and has been landscaped with natives to the rear and down the length of Halse Lane. 

The cost to remove the stone wall and install the planter box, together with ongoing maintenance, is simply not feasible and would serve no useful purpose. 

You will appreciate we have lost revenue at the property and are currently supporting our tenant as best we can until normal trading resumes. We are very disappointed that Council has chosen to withhold our bond during such extremely financially challenging times. We request return of the funds immediately.

We appeal once again for your favourable response. If not, we will pursue the matter further.

Our account details for return of our bond are as follows:-

Bank ANZ

Acc Name WFT Transactive

BSB 014311

Account 836697987

Ref NOOSA DR REFUND

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Monday, 3 August 2020 4:14 PM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Andrea

Apologies for the delayed response.

I have spoken with the planner and have come up with a potential solution that would keep the entirety of the box on your property. Please see below snippet of red mark up on the approved drawings. This approach will allow compliance with the condition.

 

Feel free to call me with any queries.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Y3BQC2xMBVupJqzFB_T9x?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Thursday, 30 July 2020 2:05 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive
Importance: High

Hi Michael

It has been almost 3 weeks since your last communication. We would appreciate a reply to our request of 19 June as soon as possible, thank you.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Friday, 10 July 2020 7:31 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Andrea

Unfortunately the planner has been away due to unforeseen circumstances. I will try and have a reply to you by early next week.

Thank you for your patience.

Mick

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Wednesday, 8 July 2020 3:43 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: FW: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

We refer to our email of 19 June and look forward to your early response, thank you.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Cammeray Investments 
Sent: Friday, 19 June 2020 9:12 AM
To: 'Michael Greeff' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

Please accept our apologies for the delay in coming back to you. We have had some very major issues to focus on in the last 3 months, as we are sure you can appreciate. 

Our designer has managed to prepare a mock-up of the planter box to exact Council specifications in the most recently proposed location – please see the attached photos. After receiving the mock up, it is apparent to us that this is not a workable option for several reasons, some of which are noted below.

1. A planter box would highly likely impede the flow of pedestrians from all directions – around Halse Lane, down Noosa Hill walkways, and returning from Hastings St. It is a very busy thoroughfare and the planter box could inhibit safe passage.

2. Another concern is for visually impaired or disabled persons.

3. The ongoing maintenance and daily watering of the plants to keep the planter box looking presentable would be impractical and costly.

4. Such a prominent structure will be prone to misuse, ie. rubbish disposal or acts of vandalism.

5. We believe the addition of a planter box, and the removal of the stone feature wall, would look awkward and detract from the pleasing aesthetics of the building as it sits now – please refer to the attached photo.

If the original intent was to soften the block wall, then this would appear to not go hand in hand with condition 7 under Building Appearance – the tenant may use up to 29m2 of uncovered outdoor area for the storage or sale of goods. The obvious location for such activity is the front of the premises. 

We also note there was no reference made to the soft landscaping requirement when Council marked up the building plans during final approval. 

In light of the above, we feel strongly that compliance with condition 13a is impractical and untenable. We are appealing to you to waive this requirement, and in turn refund our bond.

We anticipate your favourable response.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Thursday, 26 March 2020 11:18 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Andrea

I have spoken to the planner about your proposal and Council can accept it conditionally. 

The planter box must be at least 500mm wide internally with a stained wooden finish. Council will require a design (including plant species) prior to accepting the works.

Council is aware that some of the planter box will be located within road reserve, so maintenance of the vegetation will reside with the operator/owner.

Feel free to call me with any queries.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/WrTIC3QNDWipJ1zFDauOa?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 12:13 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

Please confirm if Council would approve removal of the low rock wall at the front of the complex and replace with a planter box of similar proportions, planted with Australian natives, to satisfy condition 13a of the decision notice? The planter box would be designed to meet height restrictions for the wheelchair ramp. See attached photo. 

Thank you,

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Thursday, 19 March 2020 8:32 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Good morning Andrea

It is a little tricky for me to try make a retrospective suggestion considering the building is complete now. If consulted prior to construction, I would have suggested somewhere in front of the stairs (towards the northern property boundary) or as part of the decking. I think the most preferable outcome would have been a strip garden bed in front of the extruding grey wall (a concrete rebate would have probably been required prior to the decking installation.). The size requirement would be 1m squared as per the condition – this could be two 0.5m squared beds.

Thanks.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/WrTIC3QNDWipJ1zFDauOa?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 3:53 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

Can you please provide details on where Council would suggest cutting a bed into the concrete, and the size requirement. 

Thank you,

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 3:13 PM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Andrea

I have just spoke to the planner and the planning compliance officer further about the matter. The advice I have been given is that the condition must be met. 

As mentioned in a previous email, Council was not consulted during the construction period in regards to this condition and now Council are trying to assist in finding alternative solutions to satisfy the condition.

If you are unable to place a planter box near the firewall, Council can see no other alternative then cutting a bed into the concrete – which was the original intent of the condition.

Feel free to call me to discuss.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/R8YaC4QO0XiBQNKHVNgx_?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 1:41 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: FW: 15 Noosa Drive
Importance: High

Hi Michael – can you please provide an update in regard to the refund of our bond, thank you.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Cammeray Investments 
Sent: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 3:27 PM
To: 'Michael Greeff' <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

Our tenant’s safety, the general public’s safety, and our insurance cover cannot be compromised by the placement of a planter box along the fire wall. We have consulted again with our architect on this matter.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 10:34 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Good morning Andrea

Council’s vision behind the condition was to soften the look of the new ‘fire wall’ and deck. I have spoken to the planner and the idea was that during construction of the new frontage that a ‘garden bed rebate’ would have been created within the concrete somewhere for a permanent landscaping solution. Council was not consulted about the condition during construction, hence why we are trying to find alternative approaches to satisfy the condition. 

The concreting of the ‘triangular wing’ was a good outcome for public safety as this was a bit of a pinch point.

A thin planter box along the wall would not require fixing. Could this option be explored again? 

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/vHjuC5QPGYiZQmLc8Ob7y?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 10:17 AM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

We have been advised not to ‘fix’ anything to the block fire wall, including placement of climbing vines.

In our original conversation you referred to the triangular section of street frontage that was concreted in by us. See attached ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos. If this concrete was removed and the space planted in the same vein as the planting down the Halse Lane side of the property, would this satisfy the condition in the Decision Notice?

Thank you,

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Tuesday, 10 March 2020 10:20 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Good morning Andrea

I am the compliance officer who is responsible for the final inspection. The planning compliance officer inspected the site to ensure compliance with conditions 5 – 7. 

I have discussed this matter this morning with the officer who undertook his inspection and he is in agreement that some landscaping required at the frontage to soften the look of the extruding grey wall.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/vHjuC5QPGYiZQmLc8Ob7y?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Tuesday, 10 March 2020 9:57 AM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive
Importance: High

Hi Michael

Can you please provide the contact details for the planning compliance officer who is responsible for the final inspection, so that we may deal direct with them.

Thank you.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Monday, 9 March 2020 10:34 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Andrea

Thanks for the update. Unfortunately the landscaping to Halse Lane cannot be considered as landscaping to Noosa Drive frontage. The updated stamped plans (dated 4 December 2018) are referred to in the Decision Notice (MCU14/0053.01). This Decision Notice takes legal preference over the stamped plans. 

It appears as though the ramp and handrail can be utilised for PWD access instead? Have you queried if vines on the inside of the wall would have an impact on the performance of the wall? I note that Council have photos of a seat and palm tree in the proposed location.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/S-00C6XQJZFrA2YCBcTuO?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Friday, 6 March 2020 3:13 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael – thank you for your email today.

The proposed planter box against the block wall is not possible. The steps in front of where the planter is proposed provides PWD access up the steps using the handrail. The planter will block this access impeding people with disability clear access to and from the building. 

The block wall is also a fire protection structure. It was purpose built to that specific height and length to act as a fire shield to protect the glass frontage of the shop from a fire on the adjoining property. For compliance, items such as a planter box or plants cannot be placed against that wall.

In regard to condition 13a which requires a minimum of 1sqm of soft landscaping to the Noosa Drive frontage, we believe this has been satisfied by the approved planting of the garden bed to the Halse Lane side of the building. This provides in excess of 1m soft landscaping frontage to Noosa Drive. Please see the attached photo. 

We now have a regular maintenance contract in place for the upkeep of all landscaping.

Please confirm when our bond will be refunded.

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Michael Greeff [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Friday, 6 March 2020 10:03 AM
To: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: 15 Noosa Drive

Good morning Andrea

Sorry for the delayed response, I had to wait for our planning compliance officer to inspect the site.

The only comment from the planner is to install a planter box with vertical vines to soften the newly constructed grey wall – as shown in the below poorly drawn snippet. This will comply with Condition 13a which require a minimum of 1m2 of soft landscaping to the Noosa Drive frontage.



If you would like any clarification on this please do not hesitate to call me.

Kind regards,

Mick Greeff

Engineering Officer - Construction, Development Assessment I Noosa Council

Phone: 07 5329 6203

Mobile: 0410 512 537
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  

Website: www.noosa.qld.gov.au <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8L05C71RK4iAx51S2ArgD?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

Location: Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Mail: PO Box 141 Tewantin Qld 4565

From: Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 
Sent: Thursday, 5 March 2020 7:46 AM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: FW: 15 Noosa Drive

Hi Michael

Are we in a position to receive our bond back yet?

Thank you,

Kind regards

Andrea Butt

Property Management Team

Cammeray Investments Pty Ltd

Ph. 0411 145 242 Email. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

From: Forrest Landscaping [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] 
Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2020 1:12 PM
To: Michael Greeff <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >; Cammeray Investments <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >
Subject: 15 Noosa Drive

Michael and Andrea,

As per site discussion we have replaced the existing Agapanthus with listed natives Lomandra and Callistemon.

Please find photos attached.

Sam

-- 

Sam Forrest - 0421 333 074

Nat Forrest - 0405 669 666

www.facebook.com/forrestlandscaping/ <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/kWsaC91WM4ikgyECQD5dU?domain=aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com> 

PO BOX 1513, NOOSAVILLE BC, 4566

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.