Noosa Council Calile Hotel Objection

Application Reference: 132008.176.05
Email to: [email protected]

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to strongly object to the development plans for the Calile Hotel at Serenity Close Noosa, property ID 161044 and 161045.
We have many concerns with regards to this project, such as the traffic impact, noise pollution, parking issues, safety for pedestrians in the area, wildlife.
Firstly, the traffic report on page 17 of the plans I find to be unreliable and unrealistic. It shows that the traffic will enter the hotel car park from the roundabout on Banksia/Grant, using Grant Street as the main access route. This report was based on traffic counting done in July, which is a quiet time of the year. If the traffic report was carried out in a peak holiday period such as Easter, September holidays and especially over the Xmas/New Year period, one would note the traffic volume would be exponentially higher.
Currently the surrounding streets to the proposed hotel site can experience a backup of traffic and delays on Grant Street, when attempting to exit the area and reach the roundabout at Noosa Drive/Sunshine Beach Road.  Grant Street is an extremely narrow street, with space for only one car on each side of the road. Not to mention when there are cars parked on the side of Grant Street it makes it even narrower to exit and causes a back log of cars due to the decrease of speed required to safely pass the parked vehicles.
I would also like to highlight that Grant Street is so narrow, that currently there is not enough space for a footpath. In order for pedestrians to access the Junction or Noosa Drive they must walk along the road on Grant Street. I am extremely concerned to think that the Council would contemplate to make Grant Street the main entry and exit to Calile.  It would make it an even more of a safety hazard for pedestrians to walk to their homes.
The proposed Calile development with 178 rooms, 12 suites, 15 villas as well as retail and other facilities, (an extremely large development for a residential area), will only make this traffic situation worse and create gridlock in Grant Street if it is the main route entering and exiting the hotel.  I fail to see how Grant Street, an extremely narrow 1 lane street, could possibly accommodate all the traffic created from the Calile Guests, large transport trucks and not to forget us residents of the area.
The only alternative road to Grant Street to Noosa Drive is Katharina Street.  Here you can only turn left onto Noosa Drive. During peak periods traffic can be backed up from Hastings Street up the hill to Noosa Drive and down to the roundabout. Once again there is no footpath for pedestrians on Katharina, so the only alternative for residents or visitors to reach our homes is to walk on the road.  Imagine if there were large delivery trucks and a constant stream of traffic from the increased number of population from Calile.  I can’t believe it would be a safe pedestrian space.
Secondly, once Calile is built, no doubt there will be a lack of parking and consequently will be a major issue for people visiting the restaurants, shops, and for staff working at the hotel and restaurants. An example of such a situation currently exists for guests of the Noosa Crest Apartments.  Here, patrons, workers, trades people etc enter their car park via Natasha Avenue. Consequently, during peak times Natasha is inevitably full of cars and extremely hard to park. Sometimes it is difficult for residents to exit their driveways especially during peak seasons due to the large number of cars crammed into a small number of spaces, which were originally designed for residents and their guests. I would hate to think if Natasha Avenue would start to also be used as an overflow for the Calile Hotel staff and guests, the street would just not cope nor would the street be used for its purpose and design…residential.
I strongly urge you to consider alternative routes than Grant Street to enter and exit the Calile Hotel such as Coral Tree Avenue, which is unfortunately closed off.  Coral Tree is far wider than Grant or Katharina Streets, it would have the possibility to have two-way traffic and have parked cars on either side. Not to mention it exits via its own roundabout into Noosa Drive before it begins to bottle neck at the Grant Street and Noosa Drive roundabout.
At the same time I ask that you please preserve the magnificent walking path and nature reserve for wildlife which runs off Banksia Avenue at the beginning of the sewerage pumping station. With the construction of Settlers Cove and the other resorts being built, our wildlife is being forced out of its natural habitat. So, I therefore urge you to be mindful and respectful around this area to foster a growing wildlife community for us the residents and our visitors to enjoy. Our wildlife and birdlife is a big drawcard for Noosa visitors.
I would like to stress that although I welcome such a prestigious hotel as the Calile and all it has to I offer, this is still a residential area and should be planned and treated as one!!
Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Kind regards

Shelley [email protected]