Council Report - 45 Maple Street, Cooroy (MCU23 0007 AND RAL23 0001) (As Published) · MCU23/0007

               3.3. Statutory Instruments – Planning Scheme
               The site is located in Cooroy and is zoned Community Facilities and specifically annotated for
               Health Services. Under the Noosa Plan a Multiple dwelling is identified as a consistent use and
               required to follow an impact assessment process and assessed against the whole of Noosa Plan
               2020 to the extent the provisions are relevant to the development.
               3.3.1     Strategic Framework
               Section 3.2.2 – A well managed and sustainable Noosa Shire identifies the following as a key
               challenge for Noosa and is particularly relevant given the proposal is to locate 19 small dwellings
               to be provided as affordable rentals:
               Noosa’s population is expected to continue to age and will require specific responses to meet the
               housing, transport, health and wellbeing needs of elderly residents. By 2041, the proportion of
               residents aged 65 years and over is predicted to rise to around 30 per cent. Hence there is a need
               for all forms of housing suitable for retirees and elderly people including residential care, retirement
               communities and small dwellings.
               Section 3.2.3 – A connected, safe and happy community notes that …Historically, the majority of
               dwellings are three or more bedrooms and the predominant household size is only one or two
               persons. Consequently, priority is given to increasing opportunities for smaller housing to better
               meet the needs of small households. As there is a correlation between the size of housing and the
               cost of housing this should improve affordability. New attached housing in or close to centres will
               generally be limited to small dwellings.
               Further, Section 3.2.4 – Housing to meet the needs of the community identifies the need for
               affordable, diverse housing product, noting that… The residents of Noosa Shire are part of an
               inclusive community where diversity is valued. Different housing types and styles are needed to
               provide choices, ensuring people’s housing needs are catered for, regardless of age and
               mobility, household size and budget. By providing housing choice in each local area, a greater mix
               of people and ages are accommodated and this can provide a more diverse community.
               The proposal generally aligns with the strategic intent of the Noosa Plan as quoted from the
               sections above. It is acknowledged that the subject site is proposed to be utilised for housing in
               lieu of the prescribed Health Services designation of the Community Facilities Zone. On balance
               the proposed outcome, which would deliver 19 affordable rentals comprising 7x one-bedroom and
               12x two-bedroom units of a generally high level of accessibility in a well-serviced location broadly
               aligns with the strategic intent of the Planning Scheme.
               The following Strategic Outcomes capturing Housing Choice are applicable to the proposed
               development:

               3.3.3 Housing Choice

               (e)     A wide range of housing is spread throughout the existing urban areas of Noosa Shire and
                       responds to housing needs associated with factors such as changing demographics,
                       changing composition of households, and lifestyle choices.
               (i)     Additional affordable rental premises are provided through public-private partnerships and
                       development incentives.

               The proposal is consistent with the planning scheme’s strategic intent for housing and achieves a
               range of the intended Strategic Outcomes that relate to Housing Choice and will meet diverse
               needs of the community.
               It is also noted that the proposal aligns with the Noosa Housing Strategy adopted by Council on 4
               November 2022 which identified the need to focus on providing affordable housing options and
               encourage ‘smaller’ dwelling typologies that can accommodate a range of household types, namely
               households that can cater for accessibility needs.
               Section 7.4 of the Noosa Housing Strategy 2022 recommends that:



Document Set ID: 25264554
Version: 1, Version Date: 22/10/2026