NOOSA HOUSING STRATEGY - 12 MONTH UPDATE · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                        11 DECEMBER 2023


In early August 2023 the Draft ShapingSEQ 2023 (draft regional plan) update was released for
community consultation. One of the primary drivers underpinning the amendment of the draft
regional plan was to ensure that the planning context was responsive to new growth projections,
effectively meaning that planning schemes and planning processes would not create barriers for
delivering more housing fast. Council staff prepared and lodged a robust submission to the draft
regional plan and have participated in many meetings with DSDILGP, SEQ Council of Mayors and
LGAQ on its content, especially population projections, dwelling supply and diversity targets.

In October 2023, Council staff prepared and lodged a Housing Supply Statement required by the
State. This showed that Noosa Shire can meet the dwelling targets within the published Draft
ShapingSEQ 2023 Update with neither expansion of the urban footprint nor significant departure
from existing policy in terms of the Low or Medium Density Residential zones. The final ShapingSEQ
2023 update is anticipated to be released in December with final dwelling targets.

Also in October 2023, the Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation
Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced into the Queensland parliament by the Deputy Premier and
was referred to the State Development and Regional Industries Committee for detailed
consideration. Council staff prepared and lodged a detailed submission to this bill and has followed
its progress. It will, amongst other things, create an alternative pathway for the delivery of affordable
housing, that of a "state facilitated application". Through this process, applications are assessed by
the State with Council and state agencies providing technical advice only. The process is considered
to be streamlined with limited appeal rights. The Committee has tabled its report recommending the
bill be passed and it is currently on Parliament's Notice Paper for 13 February 2024.

Next steps

Council awaits advice from the State that the proposed planning scheme amendments can be
publicly notified, and community consultation can commence. Considerable explanatory material is
being prepared to accompany the amendments when this occurs. It is anticipated this will be catalytic
for development applications to come forward including small dwellings and affordable
housing. Given the delay in obtaining State Interest sign off on these amendments, public
consultation on them will now occur in 2024.

In 2024 Council will carry out a comprehensive communication exercise with the community, drawing
on resources prepared by the State Government and local designers and on the expertise of
members of the Housing Stakeholder Reference Group and the broader housing and community
sectors. This will serve to improve understanding and appreciation for the need for greater housing
choice in the various community across the Shire, and to involve the community in the planning
process. It will address elements of local character, built form and density for each place.

A new Housing Partnerships Project Officer will take carriage of building and maintaining
collaborative partnerships with State and Federal government, Community Housing Providers and
the Building and Development Sectors to deliver social and affordable housing outcomes for Noosa
Shire, in line with the Noosa Housing Strategy. This will include securing funding sources wherever
possible.

Staff will be working collaboratively with the State Government and the LGAQ in finalising a Local
Housing Action Plan as required for a consistent State-wide approach.

Link to Corporate Plan

Theme No. 2. Liveability
This theme encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.