PM Submission - Terence Quinn - 132008.176.05

Subject: New hotel application at Serenity Close
From: Terence Quinn
Date: 2023-08-14T01:18:34+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

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Application reference : 132008.176.05
The Calile Hotel, 3-7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads

I live opposite the site for the above proposed 200-bed luxury hotel. My concerns about the visual impact of the building and the resort’s amenities have been somewhat allayed by the recent amendments made to the original plan by the developer. However, I still have questions about its impact on what are already problematic issues for local residents: traffic flow and parking.

The area west of the main roundabout at Noosa Junction (Sunshine Beach Road and Noosa Drive) that includes the new development and the existing apartments on Serenity Close is serviced by just two roads – Grant Street and Katharina St. At weekends, holiday periods and during events (eg Triathlon), it can difficult to exit the area via Grant St due to the congestion at the roundabout. Katharina St is similarly affected by nose-to-tail traffic, and there being only a left turn onto Noosa Drive only compounds the problem.

The situation is also not helped by the fact that both the awkward, split-level Grant Street and Katharina St are narrow, two-way thoroughfares with parking allowed on either side. Pedestrians are forced onto the roadway because of a lack of pavements. This puts walkers in great danger, particularly those with children in tow.

Serenity Close, a quiet cul-de-sac (with many residents in their sentries and eighties) already has its fair share of traffic due to the Settlers Cove developments by Cape Bouvard, including huge trucks. If, as expected, there is an overlap with regards to construction at both the hotel site and the Tallow apartment block, this situation could become intolerable and a major threat to residents’ safety.

Note: the traffic survey report commissioned by the Calile developers was minimalist: it was conducted in the off season and what I would describe as less than peak periods: Friday, July 8 at 8:30am - 9:30am and 3:15pm – 4:15pm. And Saturday, July 9 at 1:00pm – 2:00pm. The traffic through Noosa Drive to the Junction roundabout on both Saturdays and Sundays at at around 9am is phenomenal, particularly in the summer.

Parking on Serenity Close could also become a serious issue during both construction and operating phases with high numbers of delivery trucks and service vehicles using the hotel access at the turning circle at the far end of the street. In addition, the hotel plan only allows for 27 internal staff car parks when there is likely to be 100+ staff at any time working on such a big resort. It is likely that many employees will therefore park on Serenity Close.

Both traffic and parking issues will be exacerbated by both the proposed hotel and the Council’s plan for a new walkway down to Hasting Street from the Junction. I believe it is time that Council reviewed the situation in the entire precinct west of the main roundabout including Grant, Katharina and Banksia streets. Options might include one-way traffic, yellow lines and more (and better) pavements.

Otherwise, I believe a serious accident is waiting to happen.

Terence J. Quinn

1 Lumina
12 Serenity Close
Noosa Heads