Rhea Den Braasem

QUESTION 1
Why was Coast2Bay chosen, through a process that lacked transparency, to be the recipient of Lot 1 of the proposed subdivision of 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy?  

Response provided by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment
Coast2Bay (C2B) is a well-regarded local Tier 1 Community Housing Provider.  C2B have been active in the Noosa Community for many years.  In the development of the Noosa Housing Strategy, community-wide consultation occurred, including in Cooroy.  A range of local stakeholders were invited in 2022 to form a Housing Stakeholder Reference Group to assist Council with social and affordable housing solutions in Noosa.  Coast2Bay has been a member of the Housing Stakeholder Reference Group since it was established in 2022.  A Memorandum of Understanding between Coast2Bay and Noosa Council was executed in 2022. It was from this long-standing relationship that the opportunity to progress housing on this site was instigated.  This site was identified to be investigated for housing in the widely publicised Noosa Housing Strategy 2022.  At its ordinary meeting of 16 May 2024 Council approved the disposal of Lot 1 under section 236 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.  Proposed Lot 1 is being sold at market value.  This decision does not prevent Council from dealing with other community housing organisations for other much-needed housing solutions that may arise in Noosa LGA.

QUESTION 2
Once the land, Lot 1 at 62 Lake Macdonald Drive Cooroy, is sold to Coast2Bay, it is unbelievable that the land can remain zoned Community Facilities as it no longer belongs to the community so what exactly is the Material Change of Use application that Coast2Bay has to submit as part of the initial DA?  

Community Facilities Zone is defined under the State Queensland Planning Regulation 2017, the purpose of the community facilities zone is to provide for - 

(a) community-related uses, activities and facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, including, for example -

(i) educational establishments; and

(ii) hospitals; and

(iii) transport and telecommunication networks; and

(iv) utility installations; and

(b) residential uses, if all of the dwellings for the residential use, other than caretaker’s accommodation, are -

(i) an affordable housing component; and

(ii) either on land -

(A) associated with a community activity comprised of a community care centre, a place of worship or a residential care facility; or

(B) owned, controlled or managed by an entity that carries out a community activity comprised of a community care centre, a place of worship or a residential care facility.

 

For example, Residential aged care such as Kabara is included in the Community Facilities Zone. Palm Lakes Retirement Resort is included in the Community Facilities Zone.  These properties are privately owned and accommodate people’s homes. The community facilities zone relates to what land use can occur on the land rather than who owns the land or who it belongs too. It can apply to both public and private land. 

 

An impact assessable MCU application for housing is required for the C2B proposal which means the development application is publicly notified and is required to be assessed against the Noosa Plan.