MCU24/0003 Development Application For Material Change Of Use For Short-term Accommodation At 428 Cootharaba Road Cootharaba · Attachment 2 – (MCU24/0003) – Planning Officer’S Report

4.2 Internal Council Referrals
Not applicable
4.3 Public Notification
The application was publicly notified for fifteen (15) business days in accordance with the Planning
Act 2016. No properly made submissions were received.
5.        DRAFT NOOSA PLAN 2020 AMENDMENTS
The Noosa Plan 2020 draft amendments are currently undergoing public notification. The proposed
amendments include limiting short-term accommodation within the rural zone to only:
     •      where in a resident’s principal place of residence and limited to no more than 4 times and
            totalling no more than 60 nights in any calendar year, or
     •      where on the same site as the applicant's principal place of residence.
As such, converting an existing dwelling house in the rural zone to short-term accommodation
without retaining a primary residence on the site is not supported under the proposed amendments.
Council has established a position regarding short-term accommodation over the past 18 months
by the endorsement of both the Short-Term Accommodation Monitoring Report and the Housing
Strategy in 2022, which made recommendations to amend Noosa Plan 2020. This position is now
being enacted through the public notification of proposed amendments to Noosa Plan 2020.
It is noted that the ‘Coty Principle’ established that weight may be given to proposed planning
scheme amendments that may have implications for a development application. However, in this
regard, as the application was lodged in December 2023 and decision stage commenced 14 March
2024, prior to the amendments being advertised and any feedback being received from the
community, it is considered that the amendments are not advanced enough through the legislative
process to enable significant weight to be given to the proposed changes for the subject
application. As such, although it is acknowledged that the proposed form of short-term
accommodation (within the primary dwelling) is not supported under the planning scheme
amendments, these changes cannot be taken into consideration at this point of the application
process.
6.        CONCLUSION & REASONS FOR DECISION
It is concluded that the proposed Short-term accommodation is consistent with Noosa Plan 2020,
being identified as a consistent use in the Rural Zone and compliant with the scheme’s applicable
codes.
While the site is less than 4 hectares specified by the Acceptable outcome of the Visitor
Accommodation Code, the proposal is setback from neighbouring dwellings, achieving the
separation intended by the minimum site area, and this will ensure the use does not detract from
the character and amenity of the local area.
The conditioned maximum number of guests will also assist in managing potential amenity impacts.
On site car parking will meet the demands of the use with safe access provided from Cootharaba
Road.
The application is therefore recommended for approval with conditions.
Departments consulted:
     Office of the CEO, Mayor &              Community Services               Corporate Services
             Councillors
         Mayor & Councillors              Director                         Director
         Chief Executive Officer          Community Development            Financial Services
         Executive Officers               Sport & Active Lifestyles        Fleet
         Community Engagement             Arts & Culture                   Revenue Services
         People & Culture                 Community Connection             ICT
         Governance                       Customer Experience              Commercial Property