2015-11-10 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               10 NOVEMBER 2015


Permanent Occupants v’s Visitor Accommodation

Two submissions were received objecting to the prohibition of permanent residents within
nominated resort sites. Particularly, it was suggested that there is unfair discrimination against
owners of Viridian units while incremental loss of visitor accommodation at South Pacific, Noosa
Sanctuary and Noosa Springs has been allowed. It was suggested that the adoption of a time
limit on the length of stay is the wrong way of dealing with the matter, however this will not be
easy to police. Further, there is no research or evidence to support the proposed change.

Proposed changes to Noosa Lakes Resort sought to correct an anomaly between the
assessment table (where it states multiple housing is not consistent at Noosa Lakes Resort) and
the specific outcomes which neglected to list it as an inconsistent use on that site. To complicate
matters further however, Noosa Lakes consists of split level dual key units which are approved
as 94 upper level multiple dwellings and 94 lower level visitor accommodation buildings. The
ground floor accommodation units were approved as motel style studio units, and installing
kitchen facilities to make these units self-contained is a development offence, however a family
could permanently occupy the whole 2 level unit.

Staff suggest Council proceed with the amendments as proposed. It is further recommended
that the issues of both permanent occupancy of resort sites and the holiday letting of detached
houses receive comprehensive review through preparation of the next planning scheme to
deliver a consistent approach that protects residential amenity and the local tourism industry as
well as increasing housing choice.

Noosaville Commercial Jetties

A submission was received in relation to proposed amendments controlling commercial jetties on
the Noosa River. While the submitter acknowledged the amendments had some merit, they were
concerned that the provisions presented specific challenges for property owners. For example
that they would not allow the flexibility to increase the gross floor area of buildings or structures,
or to evolve and adapt to changing needs, such as providing improved lobby or customer service
areas, pre-boarding refreshments and better facilities (e.g. toilets). The submitter also objected
to the limitation that loading and unloading of passengers be confined to the commercial lease
areas of the respective commercial operation when marine activities may be complementary from
lease area to lease area.

The commercial jetty provisions have been drafted to specifically address concerns relating to
visual amenity and congestion, and the desire to better manage the ongoing intensification and
expansion of the commercial jetty operations and lease areas. The provisions serve to fill an
important gap in current regulation and will enable Council to maintain the existing character and
qualities of the Noosa River foreshore for the broader community. No changes are proposed as a
result of the submission.

Extractive Industries

Three submissions reference the extractive resource layers of the Natural Resource Overlay.
One suggested the CSR quarry site and associated buffer near Lake Macdonald should be
removed as it is no longer in use. This matter is likely to be reviewed as part of the next planning
scheme unless it is addressed through a development application first.

The other two submissions were from property owners within the separation area of the Kin Kin
quarry (Key Resource Area 57) and stressed that both the key resource area and the separation
area was inaccurate and should be changed to reflect a smaller KRA and a smaller buffer. Staff
have checked the State Planning Policy Mapping and while there seems to be a slight
discrepancy with the proposed overlay it is not to the extent that would justify removing properties
from the separation buffer. This can be reviewed further as part of the next planning scheme.

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