Special Meeting 12 December 2024 (resumed from 5 December 2024)
Date: Thursday, 5 December 2024 at 8:30AM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 03:41:15
Synopsis: Noosa Plan amendment advanced for State review/adoption, Housing density upheld with affordable bonuses, Hospitality clarified removing amplified-music limit, Albert St rezoned, carpark noted, Short-term accommodation tightened.
Meeting Attendees
Councillors
Frank Wilkie Amelia Lorentson Jessica Phillips Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Nicola Wilson Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Infrastructure, Shaun Walsh Apologies (Did Not Attend)
AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Council endorsed the Noosa Plan 2020 Amendment No. 2 for second State interest review, adoption request to Minister, and publication of a Consultation Report (Item 4.1; minutes 12 Dec final resolution; 00:12, 12:04). Correction adopted: affordable rental bonus height text to read “optional … additional storey (2m) … if providing 20% of total GFA as affordable rental premises” (Item C; minutes 12 Dec; 02:24:02). Hofmann Drive: proposed 7m landscape buffer (Attachment 2, item 2.5) removed from the amendment (unanimous) (5 Dec Amendment No. 2; carried into final motion; 00:12, 12:04). Environmental zone interface: remove 100m and 20m rural setbacks adjoining proposed Environment Management & Conservation zoned private land; normal rural side/rear setbacks apply (Attachment 2, cl 9.1) (unanimous) (5 Dec Amendment No. 7; 12 Dec final motion; 00:12, 12:04). Hospitality precinct (Noosa Junction): deleted proposed change 1.2 about limiting amplified music beyond 9pm unless acoustically treated; existing scheme provisions and new definition approach remain (Amendment No. 12 unanimous) (12 Dec; 02:03:03–02:23:38; Item C3). 4 Albert St, Noosaville (Council carpark): proceed with proposed High Density Residential zoning while noting its current public car parking role (Amendment No. 16 unanimous; included in final motion Item C4) (12 Dec; 02:59:41–03:01:55). Multiple attempts to retain dwelling houses and dual occupancies as consistent/accepted in Medium/High Density zones were lost (Amendments 3, 8, 9; Chair casting vote) (5 Dec; 12 Dec 01:38:56). Effort to remove 247–257 Gympie Tce and other Gympie/Thomas St lots from rezoning failed (Amendments 5, 6 lost) (5 Dec). Effort to defer rezoning of tourist accommodation properties pending economic impact assessment lost unanimously (Amendment 4) (5 Dec). Affordable rental bonus framework: proposals to broaden/retain bonuses across MDR/HDR or remove “mandatory” elements were lost (Amendments 13, 14), leaving the officer recommendation focusing incentives to key/centre sites (12 Dec 02:24:02–02:46:21). Meeting adjourned 5 Dec and resumed 12 Dec; short procedural adjournments on 12 Dec (minutes; 00:12, 11:13, 12:39). Contentious / Transparency Matters Amelia Lorentson sought to re-argue previously decided amendments; the Chair ruled out of order and a dissent motion failed on the Chair’s casting vote (12 Dec 41:35–49:57). Amelia Lorentson challenged adequacy of notification to owners of affected MDR lots; staff confirmed owners of rezoned sites were notified but not all MDR lot owners by size cohort (33:00–35:04; 36:11–36:57). Jessica Phillips pressed for clarity on OLGR/EPA noise versus Council remit; Council removed the contested 1.2 clause to avoid duplication/ambiguity (01:39:17–02:23:38; Amendment No. 12). Public petitions and submissions referenced by councillors opposing MDR/HDR house restrictions, citing property rights and neighbourhood character (01:54:01–01:38:56). Chair used casting vote multiple times on close amendments (e.g., MDR/HDR dwelling house consistency) (12 Dec 01:38:56; 49:57). Carpark zoning at 4 Albert St raised public concern; Council added a noting clause on retaining current parking role to address perception risk (02:56:01–03:01:55). Legal / Risk Planning Act superseded scheme: 12‑month request window post-adoption; Council fee ~A$1,500; Council has 30 days to decide request; if agreed, 6 months to lodge DA; existing lawful uses protected in perpetuity (27:11–31:14; 29:21–30:06). Adverse planning change compensation risk acknowledged; property must evidence value impact; Council can refuse superseded requests, triggering Division 2 pathways (24:55–26:26). SEQ Regional Plan compliance and dwelling targets are drivers; State intervention (e.g., duplexes/height in LDR or SFD-style override) flagged if targets not demonstrably met (04:39–12:04; 01:20:54–01:31:57; 03:05:02–03:12:49). Hospitality precinct noise: maintaining clear division between planning hours/physical attenuation and State OLGR/EPA compliance reduces enforcement ambiguity (01:46:56–02:11:16; Amendment No. 12). Feasibility testing updated in late 2024 reflected construction/lending cost escalation; informed shift from mandatory small-dwelling/affordable mandates to opt-in on smaller lots (20:47–23:04; 02:31:12–02:38:29). Zoning, Density & Housing Yield MDR lot cohorts: 147 lots >1,000sqm (all but ~13 with existing houses); 606 lots between 500–1,000sqm; proposals to keep houses/duplexes consistent broadly failed (33:00–34:52; 12 Dec lost amendments). Brian Stockwell argued that allowing single detached dwellings on MDR 500–1,000sqm would significantly reduce potential yield, undermining SEQ targets (57:00–58:34; 01:15:07–01:20:00). Frank Wilkie highlighted 20,000+ lots in LDR/RR/Rural still permit single houses/expansions; MDR/HDR must function as intended for multi-dwellings (41:03–41:31; 01:20:54–01:31:57). Staff affirmed infill/underutilised land approach aligns with the 2020 Strategic Framework; bonus height only in centres with safeguards (01:28:08–01:31:57). Noosa Junction Hospitality Precinct (Hours/Noise) Intent is level playing field: new venues may operate to midnight like established peers; Council to rely on planning controls for hours/attenuation, with OLGR/EPA managing noise compliance (01:40:06–01:42:12). Amendment passed to delete proposed 1.2 “no amplified music beyond 9pm Sun–Thu unless acoustically treated,” avoiding duplication/conflict and retaining clarity via definitions and existing code controls (02:03:03–02:23:38; Item C3). Existing businesses retain approved hours; changes apply prospectively to new applications (02:16:02–02:17:34). Association/traders were notified during public advertising, but not of post-submission refinements before meeting (02:13:59–02:14:52). Affordable Rental Bonuses & Feasibility Officer rationale: 2024 feasibility indicates affordable mandates on small MDR/HDR sites are unviable absent recurrent subsidies; incentives concentrated on larger/key centre sites where scale/funding more plausible (02:31:12–02:38:29). Opt-in small dwelling bonuses (now up to 100sqm) shown to be working post-2020; mandating 75% small dwellings was withdrawn in response to submissions and updated costs (02:34:16–02:38:29). Amendments attempting to keep broad affordable bonuses or “remove mandatory” elements were lost, leaving the officer framing intact (Amendments 13–14 lost; 12 Dec). Short‑term Accommodation (STA) Amendment package (endorsed) further tightens STA across residential zones consistent with Housing Strategy and Short Stay Monitoring Report; final adoption to proceed post Ministerial process (04:39–15:41; 03:32:36). Superseded scheme rush for STA not expected now as many STA proposals are already assessable/refused under current settings (03:03:42–03:04:31). Environmental Interface & Rural Setbacks Clarity amendment adopted: delete proposed 100m/20m setbacks where Rural lots adjoin proposed Environment Management & Conservation zoned private land; revert to normal rural side/rear setbacks (5 Dec Amendment No. 7; final Item C2). Staff cited character-retention guidance for heritage/character dwellings in towns (Pomona/Cooroy/Tewantin) via relocation/secondary small dwellings (39:22–40:13). Site‑Specific: 4 Albert St, Noosaville (Carpark) Council confirmed rezoning to HDR does not itself remove public car parking; any future development would be a separate Council decision, with on‑site parking then required for any residential yield (02:56:01–02:59:18). Final motion includes a note acknowledging the carpark’s current important public role to temper community concern (Amendment No. 16; 03:00:42–03:01:55; Item C4).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Special Meeting Thursday, 5 December 2024 8:30am (adjourned) Thursday , 12 December 2024 9am (resumed) Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Crs Frank Wilkie (Chair), Karen Finzel, Amelia Lorentson, Jessica Phillips, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener, Nicola Wilson “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2024 1. DECLARATION OF OPENING The meeting was declared open at 8.30am. 2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 3. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COUNCILLORS Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair) Cr Karen Finzel Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Brian Stockwell Cr Tom Wegener Cr Nicola Wilson EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray APOLOGIES Nil. 4. SPECIAL MEETING REPORTS 4.1. NOOSA PLAN 2020 PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 2 - POST PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR FINAL STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTERIAL APPROVAL Motion Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Special Meeting dated 5 December 2024 regarding Proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and: A. Note the Submissions Table contained in Attachment 1 including the summary of submissions, responses to submissions and recommended changes to proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020; B. Under section 18.4 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules prepare a Consultation Report and notify submitters of how their submission has been dealt with and upload the Consultation Report to Council's website; C. Under section 19.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules endorse the changes proposed to Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as outlined in this report and summarised in Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 and authorise SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2024 the CEO to make the changes and any other consequential changes as required prior to submitting to the State Government with the correction of an error in Attachment 2, Page 3, Item 7, second dot point, that should read: "optional development bonuses including an additional storey (2m) in height on key sites if providing 10 20% of the total GFA as affordable rental premises"; and D. Under section 21.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules give notice of a request to adopt the proposed amendments to the Minister. Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Special Meeting dated 5 December 2024 regarding Proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and request the CEO call a Special Meeting on the 12 December and defer the matter to that Special Meeting to allow Councillors further opportunity to consider the details and implications of the Report. For: Cr Wilson Against: Crs Stockwell, Wilkie, Lorentson, Phillips, Finzel and Wegener Lost. Amendment No. 1 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item 1, a, b and c be added to Item C as follows: 1. With proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 in Attachment 2, to be replaced with the following: a. Retain the current hours of operation in the Hospitality precinct for food and drink outlets until investigations have been undertaken into suitable precinct management frameworks as per the Notice of Motion endorsed by Council in October 2024; b. No amplified music is to be located on site (indoor or outdoor) beyond 9pm Sunday to Thursday, unless treated acoustically to appropriate level, until investigations into precinct management framework are complete; and c. Once these investigations have been completed consider any recommendations including changing operating hours for food and drink outlets in the Noosa junction Hospitality precinct as part of a future planning scheme amendment to the Noosa Plan 2020. For: Crs Lorentson and Phillips Against: Crs Wilkie, Wegener, Finzel, Stockwell and Wilson Lost. Amendment No. 2 Moved: Cr Tom Wegener Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Item 1 be added under Item C: 1. With the exception of the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 2.5 in Attachment 2 and that this proposed change referring to a 7m landscape buffer along Hofmann Drive be removed from the amendments. Carried unanimously. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2024 Amendment No. 3 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That Items 2, 3, and 4 be added to Item C: 2. The proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 4.1 and 4.2 in Attachment 2 and be replaced with: "4.1 retain the current provisions of Noosa Plan 2020 that allows a dwelling house as accepted development subject to requirements in the Medium and High Density Residential zones regardless of lot size." 3. The proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 6.2 and 6.3 in Attachment 2 be replaced with: "6.2 retain the current provisions of Noosa Plan 2020 that allows dual occupancy as code assessment in the Medium Density Residential zones, regardless of lot size." 4. Note the continued allowance of multiple dwellings in Medium and High Density Residential zones as allowed for under the current Noosa Plan 2020. For: Crs Lorentson, Wilson and Phillips Against: Crs Wilkie, Wegener, Finzel and Stockwell Lost. Amendment No. 4 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Item 2 be added under Item C: 2. Defer consideration of rezoning properties from tourist accommodation to another zone until an assessment of the economic impacts is conducted. Lost unanimously. Amendment No. 5 Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That Item 2, a and b, be added under Item C: 2. Include an additional proposed change in response to public submissions to Attachment 2 as follows: a. 3.12 remove 247-257 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville from the proposed High Density Residential zone and the site remain in its current Tourist Accommodation zone; and b. 3.13 all proposed amendments referencing the site be reverted back to existing wording. For: Cr Phillips Against: Crs Finzel, Stockwell, Wilson, Wegener, Wilkie and Lorentson Lost. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2024 Amendment No. 6 Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item 2 be added under Item C: 2. Amend Item 3.9 in Attachment 2 to read: Lots 20-28 GTP2026 and lots 1-3 GTP 2743 fronting Gympie Terrace and Lots 1-5 GTP2026 fronting Thomas Street at 185 Gympie Terrace be removed from the proposed District Centre zone and Mainstreet Precinct and remain in the Tourist Accommodation zone. For: Cr Wilson Against: Crs Finzel, Phillips, Stockwell, Wegener, Wilkie, and Lorentson Lost. Amendment No. 7 Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Item 2 be added under Item C: 2. With the exception of clause 9.1 in Attachment 2 and reword this clause to provide further clarity as follows: Remove the 100m and 20m building setbacks for boundaries of lots that adjoin privately owned properties that are proposed for inclusion in the Environment Management and Conservation Zone as part of these amendments. The normal setbacks will continue to apply for side and rear boundaries for buildings and structures in the Rural Zone. Carried unanimously. Motion Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Special Meeting dated 5 December 2024 regarding Proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and: A. Note the Submissions Table contained in Attachment 1 including the summary of submissions, responses to submissions and recommended changes to proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020; B. Under section 18.4 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules prepare a Consultation Report and notify submitters of how their submission has been dealt with and upload the Consultation Report to Council's website; C. Under section 19.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules endorse the changes proposed to Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as outlined in this report and summarised in Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 and authorise the CEO to make the changes and any other consequential changes as required prior to submitting to the State Government with the correction of an error in Attachment 2, Page 3, Item 7, second dot point, that should read: "optional development bonuses including an additional storey (2m) in height on key sites if providing 10 20% of the total GFA as affordable rental premises"; and SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2024 1. With the exception of the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 2.5 in Attachment 2 and that this proposed change referring to a 7m landscape buffer along Hofmann Drive be removed from the amendments; and 2. With the exception of clause 9.1 in Attachment 2 and reword this clause to provide further clarity as follows: Remove the 100m and 20m building setbacks for boundaries of lots that adjoin privately owned properties that are proposed for inclusion in the Environment Management and Conservation Zone as part of these amendments. The normal setbacks will continue to apply for side and rear boundaries for buildings and structures in the Rural Zone. D. Under section 21.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules give notice of a request to adopt the proposed amendments to the Minister. Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Special Meeting dated 5 December 2024 regarding Proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and adjourn the meeting to a later time to be determined by the Chief Executive Officer to allow Councillors further opportunity to consider the details and implications of the Report. For: Crs Lorentson, Phillips, Finzel, Wilson, Stockwell and Wilkie Against: Cr Wegener Carried. The meeting adjourned at 11.45am on Thursday 5 December 2024. Resumption date is to be advised. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 1. DECLARATION OF OPENING The Special Meeting dated Thursday 5 December 2024 resumed at 9am on Thursday 12 December 2024. 2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 3. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COUNCILLORS Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair) Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Brian Stockwell Cr Tom Wegener Cr Nicola Wilson EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Infrastructure, Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Cr Karen Finzel 4. SPECIAL MEETING REPORTS Cr Lorentson left the meeting. Council Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That the meeting be adjourned for 15 minutes. For: Crs Phillips, Wegener, Wilson and Wilkie Against : Crs Stockwell Carried. Council Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That the meeting be resumed. For: Crs Wegener, Phillips, Stockwell and Wilkie Against: Cr Wilson Carried. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 4.1. NOOSA PLAN 2020 PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 2 - POST PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR FINAL STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTERIAL APPROVAL Motion Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Special Meeting dated 5 December 2024 regarding Proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and: A. Note the Submissions Table contained in Attachment 1 including the summary of submissions, responses to submissions and recommended changes to proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020; B. Under section 18.4 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules prepare a Consultation Report and notify submitters of how their submission has been dealt with and upload the Consultation Report to Council's website; C. Under section 19.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules endorse the changes proposed to Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as outlined in this report and summarised in Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 and authorise the CEO to make the changes and any other consequential changes as required prior to submitting to the State Government with the correction of an error in Attachment 2, Page 3, Item 7, second dot point, that should read: " optional development bonuses including an additional storey (2m) in height on key sites if providing 20% of the total GFA as affordable rental premises"; and 1. With the exception of the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 2.5 in Attachment 2 and that this proposed change referring to a 7m landscape buffer along Hofmann Drive be removed from the amendments; and 2. With the exception of clause 9.1 in Attachment 2 and reword this clause to provide further clarity as follows: "Remove the 100m and 20m building setbacks for boundaries of lots that adjoin privately owned properties that are proposed for inclusion in the Environment Management and Conservation Zone as part of these amendments. The normal setbacks will continue to apply for side and rear boundaries for buildings and structures in the Rural Zone." D. Under section 21.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules give notice of a request to adopt the proposed amendments to the Minister. Cr Lorentson returned to the meeting. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 Amendment No. 8 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Nil That Items 3 and 4 be added under Item C: 3. Replace the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 4.1 and 4.2 in Attachment 2 with: 4.1 retain the current provisions of Noosa Plan 2020 that allows a dwelling house as accepted development subject to requirements in the Medium and High Density Residential zones. 4. Replace the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 6.2 and 6.3 in Attachment 2 with: 6.2 retain the current provisions of Noosa Plan 2020 that allows dual occupancy as code assessment in the Medium Density Residential zones, regardless of lot size. The Chair ruled Amendment No. 8 as out of order. Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That the Chairperson's ruling be dissented from. For: Crs Lorenston, Wilson and Phillips Against: Crs Wegener, Stockwell and Wilkie The Chair exercised his casting vote against the Amendment. Lost. Amendment No. 9 Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That items 3 and 4 be added to Item C: 3. That Section 4. Dwelling Houses becoming inconsistent in Medium and High Density Residential Zones, be amended to read: make the use of a dwelling house consistent and accepted development subject to requirements if located on a lot less than 1,000sqm, in the Medium Density Residential zones; and make the use of a dwellings house inconsistent on a lot 1,000sqm or greater in the Medium and High Density Residential zones; encourage greater yield on lots over 600sqm where appropriate to the site. 4. That Section 6. Mandatory Small dwellings requirement in the Medium and High Density Residential Zones and dual occupancy as inconsistent in Medium Density Residential zone on lots 600sqm or greater, be amended to read: retain the current Noosa Plan 2020 small dwelling bonus provisions as optin rather than mandatory in the Medium and High Density Residential zones; make dual occupancies consistent in the Medium Density Residential zone; and encourage greater yield on lots over 1,000sqm where appropriate to the site. For: Crs Wilson, Phillips and Lorentson Against: Crs Wegener, Stockwell and Wilkie The Chair exercised his casting vote against the Amendment. Lost. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 Amendment No. 10 Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Items 3 and 4 be added to Item C: 3. That 1.1 in Attachment 2 be replaced with the following: "proceed with the proposed extended hours of operation for food and drink outlets to 12 midnight seven days per week, including new applications and where amplified music is proposed, to be acoustically treated". 4. Delete proposed changes at 1.2 and remove the definition of amplified music. The meeting adjourned at 11.13am for 15 mins. The meeting resumed at 11.32am. Lost unanimously. Amendment No. 11 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Nil That Item 3 be added to Item C: 3. Delete Section 1.1 – 1.4, and replace with "1.1 Not proceed with proposed amendments as advertised and retain the current provisions of the Noosa Plan." and "1.2 As part of the next round of amendments anticipated to be initiated in 2025 further investigations occur considering aligning noise related provisions to State requirements such as those set by Office of Liquor and Gaming and the Environmental Protection Act and that these investigations inform any future amendments if appropriate." The Amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. Amendment No. 12 Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Item 3 be added to item C: 3. That In Section 2. in Attachment 2, proposed changes in Section 1.2. be deleted. Carried unanimously. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 Amendment No 13. Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item 4 be added to item C: 4. Amend the affordable rental premises definition to reduce the long term affordable rental time to 20 years and remove Items 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4. 7.2 remove the affordable rental bonus provisions from the Medium and High Density Residential zones except on the key sites being the former Noosa Bowls Club site and Noosa Business Centre; 7.3 retain the affordable rental bonus provisions over the Major Centre zone at Noosa Junction and Village Mixed Use Precinct at Noosa Business Centre and District Centre zone at Doonella Street, Tewantin; and 7.4 amend the PSP11 Provision of Affordable Rental Premises to reflect the changes that the affordable rental premises are applicable in some centre zones and selected High Density Residential Zones sites." Lost unanimously. Amendment No. 14 Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Item 4 be added to item C: 4. That Item 7.2 be amended to remove the mandatory elements of affordable rental bonus provisions from the Medium and High Density Residential zones except on the key sites being the former Noosa Bowls Club site and Noosa Business Centre. Lost unanimously. Amendment No. 15 The following material was presented to the meeting in relation to this item: Cr Jessica Phillips – refer toAttachment 1 to the Special Meeting Minutes photo - 4 Albert St Noosaville Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item 4 be added under Item C: 4. Remove 4 Albert Street, Noosaville (Council carpark) from the High Density Residential zone and the site remain in the Tourist Accommodation zone. Lost unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12.39pm for 10 minutes. The meeting resumed at 12.49pm. Amendment No. 16 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Item 4 be added under Item C: 4. Include in item 3 additional Item 3.12: 3.12 proceed with the proposed high density residential zone over 4 Albert St, Noosaville (Council owned carpark), while noting its current important role in the provision of public car parking. Carried unanimously. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 Council Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Special Meeting dated 5 December 2024 regarding Proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and: A. Note the Submissions Table contained in Attachment 1 including the summary of submissions, responses to submissions and recommended changes to proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020; B. Under section 18.4 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules prepare a Consultation Report and notify submitters of how their submission has been dealt with and upload the Consultation Report to Council's website; C. Under section 19.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules endorse the changes proposed to Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as outlined in this report and summarised in Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 and authorise the CEO to make the changes and any other consequential changes as required prior to submitting to the State Government with the correction of an error in Attachment 2, Page 3, Item 7, second dot point, that should read: "optional development bonuses including an additional storey (2m) in height on key sites if providing 20% of the total GFA as affordable rental premises"; and 1. With the exception of the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 2.5 in Attachment 2 and that this proposed change referring to a 7m landscape buffer along Hofmann Drive be removed from the amendments; 2. With the exception of clause 9.1 in Attachment 2 and reword this clause to provide further clarity as follows: "Remove the 100m and 20m building setbacks for boundaries of lots that adjoin privately owned properties that are proposed for inclusion in the Environment Management and Conservation Zone as part of these amendments. The normal setbacks will continue to apply for side and rear boundaries for buildings and structures in the Rural Zone." 3. That In Section 2. in Attachment 2, proposed changes in Section 1.2. be deleted. 4. Include in item 3 additional Item 3.12: "3.12 proceed with the proposed high density residential zone over 4 Albert St, Noosaville (Council owned carpark), while noting its current important role in the provision of public car parking." D. Under section 21.1 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules give notice of a request to adopt the proposed amendments to the Minister. For: Crs Wilkie, Wegener, Stockwell and Wilson Against: Crs Lorentson and Phillips Carried. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 12 DECEMBER 2024 5. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 6. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 1.30pm.
Meeting Transcript
Frank Wilkie 00:12.440
All right, we declare the meeting open. This is the resumption of an adjourned special meeting from the 5th of December 2024, open at 9:00am. It's not a new meeting. It's a resumption of the same meeting. I'd like to acknowledge that we're meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people, and pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and acknowledge their continual invitation for us to join them as joint custodians, respecting and caring for this beautiful place that we all love, respecting and caring for each other. I note that all councillors are in attendance. I note that all councillors are in Councillor Finzel is an apology. This special meeting is to consider the Noosa Plan 2020 proposed amendment number two, post public notification for final state government ministerial approval. The meeting was adjourned on Thursday 5th December so that councillors could have more time to consider the report. The meeting Government and Ministerial approval. We will begin the meeting where we left off last Thursday with a motion which is to put the show on the screen. the time of the close of that meeting there had already been seven amended motions tested, five of which were lost and two were passed by the meeting and just to frame this, the amendment process is run under state legislation, it's council led and it's also driven by council imposed dwelling targets which we need to meet. Excuse me, through the chair, can I allow a deferment of 15 minutes while I go to my car and come back? How far away is your car? Amelia Lorentson 01:58.986
It's parked across the road. Frank Wilkie 02:03.324
Is the meeting consent to deferring the meeting? Adjournment. Adjournment. Adjournment. Brian Stockwell 02:10.663
Adjournment. Richard MacGillivray 02:13.424
Adjournment. Brian Stockwell 02:14.043
That's it. That's it. That's it. Frank Wilkie 02:16.566
We adjourn the meeting for a couple of breaks, so we'll adjourn the meeting for a couple of hours. Brian Stockwell 02:25.146
That's all I don't think it was I think it's appropriate to hold up a whole meeting Frank Wilkie 02:32.849
I'll put the motion that the meeting be adjourned to allow Councillor Lorentson to, this will be a proper motion, to adjourn the meeting to allow Councillor Lorentson to get some materials from her car for 15 minutes. I'll have a seconder for that please. I'll second. Seconded Councillor. This is a courtesy. That's all it is. Councillor Lorentson said her car is just across the road. It won't be long and I'm hoping Councillors can support that it may be far less than 15 minutes. Any other Councillors wish to speak to the motion? I'll put the motion. All those in favour? Councillor Wegener, Phillips, Wilson, Wilkie, Gerritsen, Councillor Stockwell. Note that Councillor Lorentson had already left the room. So we'll just adjourn. Okay, welcome back everyone. It turns out that Councillor Lorentson has not left her materials in her car. They're at her home. She's going home. It's going to take a bit longer than expected. But in the meantime, I propose we... proceed with the meeting. And when Councillor Lorentson comes back then, if there are any members she'd like to move, we'll give her the courtesy of waiting for her to do that. But in the meantime... Is that the meeting being resumed? The meeting's being resumed. We need a vote. Can I have a seconder for the motion for the meeting to be resumed? Yes. That's Councillor Stockwell. Anyone else wish to speak to the motion? All in favour? No. That's Councillor Wegener, Phillips, Stockwell, Wilkie. Against? Councillor Wilson. So we'll agree to resume the meeting. resume the meeting, so welcome staff. So welcome staff. There seems to be some confusion in the community and lack of clarity among some people about the reasons why we're doing these planning scheme amendments. Could you just give a brief overview of why we're doing it? Kim Rawlings 04:39.904
Sure, through the Chair. And which elements of the process are state led and which are council led? Yes, So local planning schemes. So the Noosa Plan is a local government planning scheme. How you make and amend planning schemes. schemes is guided by the State government. So all of Queensland has the same framework in how local governments make and amend planning schemes. And it's guided through a legislative process and a document that's called the process and a document that's called the Minister's Guidelines and Rules for Making and Amending Planning Schemes. So we develop our planning schemes using the State government guidance. Every local government does. We also amend our planning schemes based on the State government guidance. There is a very specific process that the State government legislate that you have to go through. Specific steps to amend a planning scheme. So that's the process. State government guided but local government driven because it's our planning scheme. These amendments specifically came about. So with any planning scheme, planning schemes tend to have about a ten year lifespan. Where you do a total review. Which ends up taking a couple of years. Our last planning scheme was 2006. And then the new one was 2020. So we will start a review in a ten year period. But in between that full review, we undertake amendments to the planning scheme. One, to keep it contemporary. The irony in that is that these processes can take years, but that's the intent, to keep it contemporary, to respond to changing needs and changing drivers in the community, to respond to changing council policy or positions, or to respond to state government changing policy or to state government changing policy or positions and this this round of amendments is a result of a couple of things. One is that council endorsed number of years ago council indoor state housing strategy and comprehensive housing needs analysis and housing strategy and also did a significant investigation into the impact of short stay accommodation on our on our community around a range of issues but one of those was related to the impact on housing and there were a couple of really significant reports and strategies that the council of the day then endorsed those then Those strategies and reports led to or had recommendations in them for changes to the planning scheme to enable outcomes from those strategies, the housing strategy and the short-stage monitoring report, you know, made recommendations. the planning scheme should be strengthened in these areas or reviewed in these areas, so this amendment process followed that and when you start an amendment process, you also have to ensure that your amendments comply with state policy. That's one of the key steps in the legislative process. We also have to ensure that our planning scheme and amendments comply with the SEQ regional plan. That's legislative. The SEQ regional plan has, amongst other things, a raft of things in it, but one of the things in it is some changes in the last year or two around dwelling targets. So that comes from the SEQ regional plan. Anything we do to our planning scheme to amend it needs to comply with state policy, also needs to comply with... So there are a couple of drivers around this. Responding to the housing strategy. Council's endorsed housing strategy. Responding to the short stay monitoring report. Council's endorsed short stay monitoring report. And ensuring it complies with state policy and the SEQ regional plan. Frank Wilkie 08:59.295
And Kim, could you tell us the process that we went through to get the housing strategy endorsed, including consultation and the round table that was involved? Yeah, sure. Kim Rawlings 09:10.155
So, the former mayor moved a notice of motion a number of years ago declaring that, you know, we are in a housing crisis, we need to urgently do something about it. The staff had done a lot of work on understanding, we knew there was a housing issue, but a lot of work understanding what the housing needs were of our community. Um, the, the, the stuff. And, you know, Rowena led that process. It's a very comprehensive couple of hundred page analysis report. Um, that formed the basis of, um, then developing a strategy, um, a housing strategy. developing a strategy, a housing strategy, which the council were very involved in. There was lots of workshops. We formed a Housing Stakeholder Housing Reference Group, which helped guide the development of the housing strategy. The Housing Stakeholder Housing Reference Group had representatives from the community housing industry, state, government. Our member, our local member, not-for-profits, absolutely, people with lived experience around homelessness, the development industry and property industry planning consultants. Am I missing anyone Rowena? No, so there was public there's probably about 20 people on that house. Aged care, yes, yes, yeah. Yes, so very representative of the housing challenge. Anyone who's involved in the housing challenge was around the table. That was a fabulous group who provided incredible insight into helping develop the housing strategy. Once we had a draft formed, there was community consultation. I can't remember the numbers, Rowena might, but it was just under 1,000 maybe, around 800 or 900 submissions. Don't quote me on that, I'll have to check that. And lots of engagement. We had industry forums, had lots of people talking to us. We held the stakeholder reference. We had quite a lot of support through that process in terms of the submissions around council taking a role in how we address this issue. So there was a raft of recommendations that came out of the housing strategy. Frank Wilkie 11:52.240
Nicola? Nicola Wilson 11:52.640
Yes. Could you please give us a recap of where we are in that process and what we're voting on today? Kim Rawlings 12:04.140
So in terms of where we are in the amendment process, the amendments were drafted and submitted to the State government for first interest checks. So there's two state government interest checks required when you drafted the package of amendments which was in response to housing strategy, short stay and state policy. They were drafted They were drafted up. In consultation, we went very closely actually with the State government on that to try and shorten the process of state interest review. Submitted them to the State government in about February 2023. They were with the State government for nearly 12 months. I'm doing a state interest review and a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with us about about issues but far longer than they should have been with the State government. And then March 2024, state government gave us sign-off. May. Sorry, May. Thanks, Anita. May, 2024. We've got a statement signed. We've got state government sign-off. There were some changes that we needed to make to the amendments before they then went out for public consultation. They then went out to public consultation during July, June and For a period of eight weeks, six initially then an additional two. And we received around 450 submissions and the report outlines all the consultation that happened. The pop-ups, the talk to a planner, the phone calls, all of those things. Since the end of July, the team have been working through analysing all the submissions. And running a series of workshops with councillors around each of the issues that have risen through the submissions to form up a response. Where we're at now is these amendments are in response to submissions. And some have changed since advertising as a result of the issues raised in submissions and as a result of the workshops with councillors. So the point we're at now is for council to consider a revised package of amendments in response to consultation and public submissions for consideration and if endorsed. To send back to the State government for that second state interest review. During the second state interest review, state government check that it still aligns with state interest and state policy. And they either approve it, for council then to adopt it, and it becomes the new Noosa Plan framework, or they approve it with ministerial conditions, things that we need to change, for then council to adopt Jessica Phillips 15:06.490
This might be a two-phase question for you, Kim. Just in relation to, we've heard, the amendments relate to SEQ, regional plan, and the State state policy. Can you explain to me how the amendments correlate back to the Noosa Plan 2020 strategic framework? And then my second part to the question is around removing some assumption in community about messaging maybe so could I just have a real clarity about that the driver behind this is very clear for the community understanding maybe moving Kim Rawlings 15:41.334
Some language that you know the everyday person can understand please so the current Noosa Plan has a number of sections to it one of the front sections is the strategic framework the strategic framework is really the the overarching vision for for Noosa in terms of land use development and to guide you know the aspirations and where we want Noosa to be the planning to be. The planning scheme provisions that sit under that all align to achieving those outcomes. These amendments very much align with the strategic framework. So for instance, the strategic framework will talk about housing, communities, livability, access, diversity, affordability, all of things to achieve those outcomes for our community. These amendments seek to strengthen those outcomes. The same thing, you know, the strategic framework will talk about that our residential areas should be primarily residents, for permanent residents, not for short stay or with tourists. We've got tourist zones for that. You know, so these amendments, again, seek to strengthen those outcomes in the strategic framework. with what our strategic framework says in the Noosa Plan. So, very aligned. Did anyone want to add anything to that? In terms of the second question, Jess, the Jess, the assumptions about why we're doing this. I guess what I talked about when Frank answered the question is really why we're doing this. The role of staff, our role is to, is I guess twofold, is to deliver the outcomes that council decide they want to achieve. This council, previous council but still this council, Noosa Council, endorsed a housing strategy that had a raft of strategy that had a raft of recommendations to amend the planning scheme. Our role is to make that happen. This council endorsed a short-stay monitoring report which said they want to strengthen their approach to monitoring short-stay in our community and had a raft of recommendations to plan a scheme to amend that, to strengthen it. So that's what we then do. implement those decisions of council. We also have a responsibility as Noosa Council to ensure things comply with state legislation and state policy and the SEQ regional plan. So they're the things that we balance in putting a package of amendments together to achieve those outcomes that council and the State government. Yes, thank you Rowena. The other thing you know there's a raft of things that we have that we try and achieve for our community and one of the things that the council have also endorsed is a social charter and our Charter. Our social charter talks about the fundamental needs for our community and one of those is a safe place to live. A roof over their head, things like that. So these amendments are really about trying to... really about trying to advance those outcomes, you know, trying to achieve those outcomes for our community. It's a complex issue. We're not going to be able to do that on our own. We have completely understand that. This is all levels of government. This is industry. This is community. But, you know, this is about us playing our part and delivering on the role that we're actually both legislated and that we have endorsed policy positions on. Jessica Phillips 20:02.740
So then, thank you, Kim. Thanks for that. I just want to circle back to economic modelling that's been discussed in a few workshops and in the previous meeting last week. Could you please tell me when that modelling was conducted? I feel that I have I feel that I have information that it says 2022, but I just want to maybe confirm that because my follow-up question to that is, is the economic model still relevant to the amendments that we see today or has it been updated to reflect the building costs, the labour costs and all the things that we've seen in our economic community? Kim Rawlings 20:47.075
So the economic model we talk about is a feasibility testing and feasibility analysis that we've talked about that's been done. So... So yes, feasibility testing was done when the amendments were first drafted in 2022 as part of testing that those provisions are feasible. We have then since with the changes in response to submissions we've redone the feasibility testing so just in the last few months to make sure that the what's What's being proposed is feasible and like outlined in the council report that considered and you can see the shift you know you can see the shift in the change in the approach given the time that's gone the last three years since we originally drafted these to now we've seen a significant increase in construction costs you know the challenges around getting trades and things like that that's all created quite a significant cost increase in in construction you know we see it in council works and capital works that you know the rising majority of the works we tendering is a 20-30% increase that's the same That's the same for the private sector, obviously. So our revised feasibility testing obviously showed that, which is why we've also has been another input into the suggested changes going forward. So we've balanced, you know, what the community raised, you know, feasibility testing, the policy outcomes and the real outcomes we're trying to achieve on the ground, the State government requirements, all of those things need to be balanced, which is why it's taken a rough A raft of people, months and months, with external assistance where needed around feasibility testing or external advice, things like that, and then working that systematically with all of you, with you through workshops, to come up with a Jessica Phillips 23:04.120
Plan. Thank you. Thanks, Kim. And again, in previous meetings, lots of talk about statutory right of the property owner and the ease, I guess, of using the superseded planning scheme for 12 months under the Planning Act. Can I confirm, under the Planning Can I confirm, under the Planning Act, is it at the discretion of Council whether to refuse or accept an application? Kim Rawlings 23:32.071
Yes. Through the Chair. the Chair. So the legislation enshrines existing use rights. So existing use rights are enshrined. If someone wants to do something to do something different under a new regime that's changing, for instance, but they prefer what the current regime allows, there's a window of opportunity of 12 months to be able to seek consideration under the super seat. So when a scheme changes, the old scheme becomes the superseded scheme, and the amendments become the new scheme. It's a 12 month window of opportunity where they can go, well, that works better for me, for after reasons, I want to apply under the previous scheme. Yes, it is at council's discretion whether or not council would agree to that proposal being considered Jessica Phillips 24:37.420
And my last question, please. Is Council confident that these amendments aren't adverse planning changes that could then be subject to compensation under Division 2 of the Planning Act? Kim Rawlings 24:55.720
Well, I can't speak for Council, but as your council, what I can say is that there are provisions in the legislation that allow that process to happen. Sometimes changes to schemes can result in adverse planning changes. If we are responding, for instance, to changes in natural hazard information, new flood information, new landslip information, it's contingent on us, prudent for us to respond to those. And sometimes planning changes can result in adverse planning changes. Absolutely. That's why the legislation provides that 12-month we do an adverse planning change and someone wants to be considered under the superseded planning scheme. If council refused to accept that, because you've weighed up all the issues, then there's a pathway for that process if Landowner, if they if they believe it's an adverse planning change, to potentially seek compensation. Now you need to be able to demonstrate that the change has actually had an impact on value. you, things like that. But, you know, yeah, so there's those things. Frank Wilkie 26:26.560
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 26:28.460
Apologies if this question's already been asked, but I'm sort of listening that we're talking about the superseded planning scheme and how to enshrine or protect existing use. rights. So my question is, what are the costs associated with submitting a superseded planning scheme application? What's the actual process criteria and timeframe for submission and including in that cost for MCU applications? Kim Rawlings 27:01.224
Thanks, Councillor Lorentson. Director Richard MacGillivray is online. Richard, are you happy to answer that one? Yes. Richard MacGillivray 27:11.924
Can you hear me okay, fellas? Yes, Richard. Yes, yeah. Yes, yeah. So I'll go through those questions step by step, if that's okay. So I'll go. So in terms of the superseded planning request, so I'm just pulling up some notes on this. So superseded planning requests can be lodged once the planning scheme amendments have been endorsed. As Director Rawlings As Director Rawlings mentioned, there is a 12-month window for an applicant to apply to council for assessment under the previous scheme. There is a fee attached for superseded requests. Previously that's been around $1,380. It's likely to be, the new fee will be scheduled likely to be around $1,500 for a request to be assessed under the superseded planning scheme. So that's yet to be finalised. And yeah, so the person has basically the ability within 12 months and we've got 30 days to assist that superseded planning request from LodgeNet. If we agree to the superseded request, then they have up to six months to actually lodge and develop an application. Is where it's assessable development. They've got six months to lodge that application with council and council must assess that under the previous planning scheme. Does that give you a Does that give you a good summary or is there any further elements of that? Have I covered the key elements there, Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 28:51.506
So to clarify, any residents that want to enshrine existing use rights need to firstly make a request for an application, so no. So it's $1,380 for a superseded planning scheme request. That's what I've understood. Richard, is that correct? Richard MacGillivray 29:21.820
Yes, that's correct. And just on your earlier point there, so any existing homes established, lawfully established under the current scheme, are not required to... not required to lodge an application for a superseded. So those use rights are enshrined as they are at the moment. So they're lawfully established and they're protected under the Planning Act in perpetuity. So as long as the house stays there, is, it's protected. It's only where new development is proposed where the applicant has the requirement to lodge a superseded request if they want to do something else from what they currently have that requires material transit use, then they're required to lodge an application for us to consider that on the previous scheme. Amelia Lorentson 30:06.825
So can I ask the question, Richard? I own a small house in a medium density zoned area. Until these changes have come around, I think maybe I want to build a bigger home down the track. The opportunity for me to make that application make that application is during that 12 month period under the superseded planning scheme, I make a request, then within six months I've got to lodge a development application which will involve a material change of use and that incurs costs because I'm building a house at the moment and I know that there's huge costs. that there's huge costs drafting architects, certifiers, engineering, all sorts of things, so I've got to know right now the house that I want to build, submit the application so that I don't lose that right within 12 months, and then I've got six years to build and I may not even have the money. Yes, Is that correct? Richard MacGillivray 31:14.295
So in terms of the, if you have an existing home, let's use the example as you mentioned, existing home, you want to knock that down, build a significantly larger dwelling. If that dwelling constitutes what we call a material change of use, then they would be required to lodge that superseded. Essentially there's a 12 month period of use it or lose it. So if they lodge that application, they've got a six month period to Amelia Lorentson 32:07.509
Obligations on property owners in medium density you know to have that money right now. sort of onerous. Brian Stockwell 32:17.949
In terms of data, can you provide data on the number of properties that are potentially going to be affected in the medium density areas? expected yield and the projected time frame and I'm happy even over the term or the course of the this term of council over the next four years how many medium density properties are potentially going to be impacted by the amendments in front of us? Peace. Frank Wilkie 32:52.422
Just to clarify, do you mean the ones with houses on it currently? Just to clarify, do you mean the ones Yes. Richard MacGillivray 33:00.002
Councillor, it kind of depends on the question. If, for instance, the number of medium density residential lots over a thousand of residential lots over 1000 square metres is 147. Some of those are state owned land, vacant land. think all but 13 of those already contain a house that would have existing use rights as a house and some of those 13 are the State owned land. The lots that are between 500 square metres and 1,000 square metres, there's 606 of those lots. The recommendation is that over 500 you wouldn't do a house. They're the ones that would not have the ability to do a house if they were currently vacant. And then over 1,000 are the ones that wouldn't have the ability to do a Amelia Lorentson 34:27.320
My question, the 147 that are over 1,000 square metres, were they notified and consulted in terms of these proposed changes and of these property owners that... property owners that have property lots in the range of 500 to 1,000 square metres, the 606 lots, were they also all notified of the proposed changes? Richard MacGillivray 34:52.647
Councillor, they were not specifically notified. Amelia Lorentson 34:57.101
Sorry I didn't hear that. They were not specifically notified. They were not specifically notified, thank you. Jessica Phillips 35:04.261
I just have one more question that was prompted please around the DA. Can I get some clarity around so the superseded planning scheme, they've put that application in, they've got their DA. Do they have a time frame that they then have to build? Can I know a little bit more about that please? Kim Rawlings 35:22.741
Yeah as Director MacGillivray said it's six years. Amelia Lorentson 35:31.360
In terms of the notification, and I'm referencing the ministerial guidelines and rules of the State of Queensland, Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works. The document says that in addition to the public notice requirements prescribed in the notice about the process given by the chief executive under section 18A or B of the Act or in part 4 of chapter 2, local government in part four of chapter two, local government must give notice to every property owner affected by the proposed planning change. Is that mandatory? Kim Rawlings 36:11.277
So as outlined in the report, we did a very comprehensive engagement process. Anyone who got a zone change was written to and the process. And there was significant media, a range of engagement opportunities. We also are required to develop a community engagement and consultation plan before we launch into the amendment process, which council is required to sign off on, which you did, and the State government are required to sign off on, which they did. Amelia Lorentson 36:57.265
In terms of infrastructure, do we have an understanding of how many car parts will be yielded or lost as a result of the proposed amendments in medium or Kim Rawlings 37:19.420
I'm just seeking a bit of clarity, Councillor Lorentson. When you say car parks, these proposals relate to on-site requirements, not public car parks, so there'd be no impact on public car parks. Are all car parking requirements car parks, all car parking requirements are required to be delivered on site. Amelia Lorentson 37:44.632
I'll rephrase the question. The proposed amendments proposed to densify urban areas has consideration been given to infrastructure and services such as off-street Kim Rawlings 38:03.980
Parking. So as I just said, to be able to deliver these changes to medium and high density, which is a small proportion of our Shire, large majority of our Shire, more than 9% is low density. So a small proportion of our Shire, you need to be able to meet the requirements to deliver these things on site. So car parking needs to be site. So car parking needs to be delivered on site, not off site. So that's part of the consideration. In terms of other infrastructure servicing like water and sewerage and capacity, that's all being modelled and is within what we currently plan for. Amelia Lorentson 38:45.243
Sort of adding onto that so in terms of the unintended consequences of urban densification and I'll reference areas like Pomona and I believe there's about 35 medium density residential homes in that zoning. Impacts to character we've just in the process my question is does do the amendments align with the intent and the detailed work that has already been undertaken in the Pomona place Richard MacGillivray 39:22.240
Councillor, we have provisions within the amendments that would support in places like Pomona particularly or Cooroy or Tewantin for that matter where there are some existing character buildings character houses that are locally valued that they that there is it's quite possible for those houses to be retained in some instances they might be moved forward on the block or moved sideways on the block and for a couple of small dwellings to be built to the rear or the side. We are working We are working with our heritage architect consultant in preparing guidelines and material that would support and encourage that very outcome. Amelia Lorentson 40:13.332
My last question is, do the proposed changes confer additional rights or are they diminishing existing ones? Kim Rawlings 40:33.300
Is this your answer? Frank Wilkie 40:37.460
Just to give some clarity about the availability of detached housing, the single dwelling house in the Shire, could you tell us the number tell us the number of lots, approximate number of lots in the low density residential area, the rural residential area, and the rural area where people have access to low density housing, as in the single house? Kim Rawlings 41:03.936
Look, Councillor Wilkie, I don't have those figures offhand, but it's in the, between 15 and 20,000. Yeah, probably 20,000. Yeah, exactly. And a high proportion, it's somewhere between 80 and 90% of our dwellings. Richard MacGillivray 41:29.040
Thank you. Frank Wilkie 41:31.640
Does anyone care to move any amendments? Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 41:35.860
I'd like to move an amendment to put you council a vote whether we can afford some flexibility in the standing orders to allow councillors the opportunity to re-argue previous amendments. Frank Wilkie 41:54.813
The idea to re-argue previous amendments is contrary to the meeting protocol and procedure. If we did that, the meeting could go twice as long as it already has gone. The democratic process is that the meeting decides on an amended motion, it votes on it, and then the meeting respects that. If we were to open the door to all councillors re-prosecuting it, it would be a backward step and contrary to democratic processes. So I'm, I'm, wouldn't be allowed. Amelia Lorentson 42:27.409
Um, can I exercise my right to... to move a motion that reflects, um, or gives all the councillors the opportunity to vote on whether or not we can afford some flexibility in the standing orders. And I say so through the chair respectfully, um, a lot of the councillors... respectfully a lot of the councillors were led to believe that discussion only was to partake at the last general meeting councillors were led to believe so my motion to allow flexibility in the standing standing orders orders to to allow allow councillors councillors to to re-prosecute previous amendments, and there are only two or three, by the way, there weren't four, five, six, seven, there were two or three that will be re-debated. Are you refusing me that right to put that to council for a decision? Frank Wilkie 43:19.529
Councillor, you need to move a motion to dissent from the challenge ruling. Amelia Lorentson 43:23.349
So after you've moved the motion. Move your motion and then he'll tell you. Move your motion. Frank Wilkie 43:29.361
Okay. Which motion would you like to move? I would like to revisit the motion to retain the status quo medium density and high density zoning and I would also like to re motion. argue the Just one at a time. Just one at a time. Re-argue the motion to retain the status quo medium and high density residential zoning. Alright so Councillor my ruling on this amendment is that it's already been prosecuted. The democratic process is that the meeting meeting's decision is respected in order to retain the integrity of the democratic process. Allowing all councils to re-prosecute amendments that have already been lost or even won is a backward step and contrary to democratic meeting processes so I'm ruling that the amendment is out of the way. Amelia Lorentson 44:17.802
Through the Chair have I got a right of reply? Frank Wilkie 44:20.230
You have, Chair, from the Chair is that you have a right to dissent from the Chairman's ruling. What do you have Chair? So you have the right to ask the meeting that the Chairman's ruling be dissented from? And then allow, to allow the amendment to be discussed. Amelia Lorentson 44:41.740
I'll move to allow the, that the Chairperson's ruling be dissented. Great. Could we have a seconder for that motion, please? I'll second. Okay. Thank you, Councillor. Thoughts? Councillor Lorentson, would you like to speak? Respectfully, we entered the last special meeting under the misperception that it was to be discussion only. I had circulated a motion to defer circulated a motion to defer the special meeting and I was- and then we had a discussion afterwards what was the better course of action. It was discussed amongst all the councillors that a deferment would occur but we would allow discussion out of respect to the people that were A, coming to the meeting and B, anyone listening online. That did not happen. That did not listening online. That did not happen. We went straight into amendments and a lot of our councillors were caught unprepared and quite surprised and community hadn't been given the opportunity to go through the many documents as councillors. We read through the documents so I want that on record that we were prepared. The issue was that we needed to understand the implications and the impact and the significance of the decision that we were making and for that reason we requested to you and to all the other councillors that a discussion take place to allow more information and that today we would be today we would be arguing and debating amendments. That did not happen, so I personally believe that my democratic right to speak on behalf of the people that... people that elected me has been breached. So I'm requesting through this dissension motion that the councillors are given their democratic right to speak and also we talk about... we talk about integrity, trust in the integrity of council. I'm asking trust in the integrity of yourself, Mayor, and the other councillors. We were led to believe there were no amendments that were going to be prosecuted at the last meeting. That did not happen and I just think it's only fair to the community that we represent that their issue their issues are debated thoroughly. Frank Wilkie 47:14.139
Thank you. Councillor Lorentson, you have a wildly divergent understanding of what took place in that informal council discussion among councillors about the way a special meeting is to be conducted. There was certainly a discussion about whether a deferral motion might be exercised. Whether at the start of the meeting or at the end of the meeting. I recall saying special meetings are there, special meetings are there to allow councillors the opportunity to ask as many questions as they want, to test amendments as they come up, and then at the end of the meeting if they're still unsatisfied about wanting more time, then they more time, then they can move another procedural motion to defer the meeting which actually did occur. I will say it's highly irregular and will be inappropriate for a councillor to go into a special meeting and have an agreement reach a decision. There are no amendments that will be moved during a special meeting to discuss planning scheme amendments. It will be highly irregular. Again, as I said previously, the democratic process is that amendments, amended motions... in a meeting are discussed and openly and fairly, wherever the councillor has a say in the meeting, they're either lost or they're won. The whole integrity of the democratic process is that whichever way they fall, the meeting respects the decision of the council as a whole, not seek other avenues to re-prosecute it. To go back and re-prosecute amendments that have already been decided by this meeting would be a backward looking step, anti-democratic and undermine the integrity of local government decision making processes. To go back... I ask councillors not to support this dissension motion. The move of the motion and the chair speak to this. So those who disagree with the count and the chair's ruling on this, raise your hand. Councillor Wilson, Lorentson and Phillips. Those who agree with the chair's ruling, raise your hand. Wegener, Stockwell and Wilkie is carried The procedural motion is lost. The re-hearing amendments cannot be heard. We can go on to I understand councillors, some councillors have done some very good work in preparing other amendments which are variations of the amendments which we heard last week and they can be Nicola Wilson 49:57.400
I'd like to move an amendment please relating to recommendation 5 in the report on dwelling houses becoming inconsistent in medium and high density zones and recommendation 7 relating to dual occupancy in medium density zones. I'm noting that, oh sorry, I'm just going to go back and see if I can get you to read that out if you could please can't see it. Um, what are we going to do? Frank Wilkie 50:40.200
Just read. So, in item list C in of the report we have the recommendations. Um, I'm making some amendments to those recommendations so I'm not seeking to change high density. Section 5, dwelling houses become inconsistent and medium in high density residential zones to be amended to read. Make the use of a dwelling house consistent and accepted development subject to requirements if located on a lot less than a thousand square metres in that medium density residential zones. Make the use of a dwelling house, that next one should have been deleted, make the use inconsistent. No sorry, if it's a thousand square metres. Encourage greater yield and lots over 600 square metres where appropriate to the Section 7, mandatory small dwellings, requirement in the medium and high density residential zones and dual occupancy as inconsistent in medium density residential zones and lots over 600 square metres or greater to be amended to read. Nicola Wilson 51:59.282
Retain the current Noosa Plan be a minute to read. Retain the current Noosa Plan in 2020 small dwelling bonus provisions as opt-in rather than mandatory in the medium and high density residential zones. So don't change that. Make dual occupancies consistent in the medium density residential zone. And delete the next line. Encourage greater good on lots over 1 Kim Rawlings 52:20.618
Sorry to interrupt, Councillor Wilson. I'm going to just point out that the first one is section four and the second is section six. In the attached table, in the report, the numbers are different to what's in the table, but you need to refer to the attachment. Previously in the meeting, when we had amendment three put forward, that amendment was lost. That was to make houses and real occupancies consistent regardless of-- So, in this amendment, I'm trying to find a compromise so that more homeowners can retain their right to build a house, but we do still continue to look at the larger sites where the development is more financially viable. We can encourage landowners to consider using sites up to 1,000 square metres for more homes, but not mandate it, as some sites may not even be suitable for multiple grounds. there's approximately 133 lots in the medium density zone of 1,000 square metres that currently have one house on the lot, and there's about 34 lots that are over 1,500 square metres. These may be more likely to multiple dwellings depending on their location, and I'm really just asking that we focus on those first. The amended plan seeks to find a balance between homeowners who would put a few units behind their existing house, especially where there's a character house, but also blocks that would maximise the yield on sites with just units. As the current recommendation stands, for any future development, residents can only build a single house, bigger than their existing single house, if their block is 500 square metres or less. Nicola Wilson 54:01.551
As the current with just units. They can have a dual occupancy on land up to.., 000 square metres and beyond that must have three or more dwellings. This was not the case when residents bought their properties, a single house for their consistent use. So my intention here is to shift the goalposts to retain more single houses. a thousand square metres and dual occupancy on any size block while still encouraging a greater yield where suitable. A house on blocks up to... We had many submissions from residents living in medium density zones who will be affected by the change in the development category, that is a single growing house in a longer accepted development. There were also 960 signatures to a petition and... Signatures to a petition. Many people affected have said they don't want this change, many may be unaware it's even happening. While residents will be able to replace life-for-life due to existing use rights, they will only be able to build a bigger house if they apply under the superseded planning scheme. And as we heard, that means the planning scheme and as we heard that means having the funds within the next 12 months to get plans drawn up and make an application I'm going to read a few extracts from the submissions I'm paraphrasing them to make it quicker noting that these related to the proposed published amendments not the latest recommendation this amendment is restricting recommendation. This amendment is restricting current owners of dwelling houses from selling to prospective buyers who want to increase the size and scale of the existing home yet allow developers to build multiple dwellings on the same block. This seems unfair. Making dwelling house inconsistent and medium density is contrary to the objectives of a major amendment that seeks to support housing supply, housing choice, housing diversity and housing affordability. We need to safeguard the heritage and character of the houses in our area. Development applications should be decided case by case with proper consultation and feedback. Developers and builders will have an unfair advantage in purchasing medium identity lots. Our houses all need to be replaced. A new family home with enough space for adults plus school-age children to grow and meet parents' standards. We should not have to move to a new home elsewhere when we purchase our property in Noosa Heads for our family to grow a living. We should not have to pay the extra to build duplexes instead of a family home. We chose our property for its location and street character independent of its zoning. It's unacceptable for council to deny owners the right to rebuild or extend an old house. And finally, larger single detached dwellings can often accommodate high-density living and allow cost sharing amongst occupants that cannot be achieved in multi-dwelling development. So there are many-drawing development. So there are many reasons that residents have offered in wanting to retain the right to use a house as consistent use, as was their right when they purchased. If we are going to make such a change, can we do it gradually, starting with the bigger lots? Frank Wilkie 56:58.924
Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 57:00.164
Yes, question staff. I think I heard there's 606 lots between 500 and... and 1,000 square metres. The multiple dwellings, we said an average of three units on lots at size of two each. We're looking at 1,200 people being able to be housed if it is a single dwelling and an extra 3,600 average if it's not. Would that be considered a significant change to SPEAKER_01 57:46.600
It's a variation of what we've proposed in that it's moved the goalposts as to the lot size where a dual occupancy would be allowed as well as a house. So it's a variation of it. Is it significant? Brian Stockwell 58:08.025
My question really relates to an Act requirement and the Act requirement is if If we're bearing a staff recommendation, we must put the reasons we're doing so. In my mind, this is a very significant variation and while the reasons were outlined in the discussion, there's nothing in the motion that outlines the reason why you do it. So, it's probably a matter for you to rule on this to do. Frank Wilkie 58:34.794
Well, I think the, I think the amendment, the amended motion can stand as it is without including the reasons. the reasons for the variation, but we haven't done it for any of the other amendments that have been addressed, including variations from staff and organisations. Brian Stockwell 58:52.841
Pretty happy, haven't I? Just in reviewing the, the, in between the meetings, I did look up the Act in terms of whether there was, you know, whether it had to be anything. The Act is very clear. If you're bearing a staff recommendation, you need to put the reasons in. I think it's something we have to, you know, we normally do it if we're refusing a staff recommendation for approval to reverse, but I think, as a standard practice, we need to actually follow the Act. Frank Wilkie 59:14.468
Okay, I'll respond. If, if this amendment is passed, we could include it in the reasons in the final motion? Sure. Would that be acceptable? Brian Stockwell 59:23.588
Yeah, I just think it's something Thank you, point taken. Frank Wilkie 59:27.773
Any other councillors wish to speak against the motion or for the motion? Jessica Phillips 59:34.953
I'll speak to the floor, thank you Mr. Mayor. So, I first of all want to explain where I sit with coming into these amendments. Where I sit with coming into these amendments, and I'll actually refer to it as coming into season four of Yellowstone. Okay, that's where I'm at with it, but I'm getting there. Firstly, I want to acknowledge GMM's work that's gone into this process, from council staff to the community members, stakeholders, and my fellow councillors. And this has been a collective effort spanning across the The consultation and work Trompson and Bates prior to Councillor Wilson and I being elected, but the outcomes we see through these amendments are critical because they're addressing housing, affordability, creating a more diverse housing mix. Well that's what we hope to achieve. These are not just technical goals, they're actually deeply human ones and they're about providing shelter, security, and opportunities for families, workers, and future generations. But as I sit here this morning, I also want to reflect on the process itself and the conversations we've had along the way. These discussions have been challenging, emotional, and at times times, polarising. That's because we're grappling with questions that strike at the heart of what Noosa means to each of us. For me, the profound part of this process has actually been listening. Listening to the residents, to my colleagues. To experts and to my own heart and I've spent countless hours reflecting on the questions posed to me by the community and wrestling with these answers these are not easy decisions but but they probably shouldn't be. They require us to weigh competing priorities, navigate uncertainty and make choices that will shape the future of our Shire. Through this process, one thing has become very clear to me. Noosa identity is precious. It's worth protecting. I've heard from residents who are deeply concerned about the potential impacts of these amendments on their property rights, their neighbourhood neighbourhoods and their way of life. I've heard from others who are equally passionate about the need for more housing and the opportunities that they could bring. Both perspectives are valid, both deserve empathy and understanding. The process has also reminded me The process has also reminded me of the importance of integrity in decision making. I'm going to explain how I address myself. I'm Jess in every room. No matter where I enter, a workshop room, community forum, here in this chamber, I think you can probably all agree I'm the same Jess that you see. And that means that with authenticity, empathy and my moral compass it guides every aspect of my life. I've reflected on this amendment and what it represents and it's It's not just in terms of planning, but in terms of what kind of community we want to be. Does this change align with our values? Do they truly address the challenges we're facing? And most importantly, will they achieve the outcomes we For me, the answer is this recommendation amendment is closer and it's not in the technical details of the amendment, but in the process itself, because I still want to ask, I still want to know, have we asked the right questions? Have we listened to the right people? Have we listened to people who will be most affected? Have we balanced the I also want to talk about the middle guy, because every now and then when consideration to things like this, I feel like there's one group, two groups of representation. The housing need crisis, and then potentially developers and people that haven't quite considered what it's like to just be in the middle. The middle of society, which thankfully I can speak very much I'm the essential worker. I'm the new councillor that has more than two kids. And I want to tell you, a little while ago, my husband and I bought a house in a low-density, sorry, in a medium a low density, sorry, in a medium density zone, because that's all we could afford at the time, I would also have a dream that I would build my own home for my family. I would dream But then we went through a financial hiccup in our nation, and that means that the cost of living bears a burden on the middleman, the person that is really grappling with the cost of living, but is often over missed in these discussions because I'm not on the street, but I'm also an essential And I want to dream and I want to be able to achieve my dream home, like many of these residents have asked. And that could potentially be taken away from me. And that is my moral compass steps in and says it's not right. Because I might not be able to develop my copy right now, I definitely probably won't be able to in ten years, given the kids. But under these circumstances, under these changes, if this is lost, I'm going to lose that opportunity. This isn't just my story. It's the story of countless families in Noosa. These amendments must account for the realities that residents face. Not the ones on Facebook, the ones getting up today, they're already at work, they're not watching the meeting, and we can't place undue burden on those who simply want to invest in their future. Is this the legacy we want to leave Noosa? Because it's not the Australian way. Our planning decisions decisions should respect property rights and community aspirations. And let me be clear, it's not about meeting quotas. It's about ensuring that we're protecting our environment and the lifestyle, but it's also about people. Amelia Lorentson 01:05:53.065
Thanks. Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Lorentson? Through the Chair, I have a few questions. Is there any specific timeframe or deadline with the East Kim Rawlings 01:06:09.280
Queensland regional plan? I'm not sure what ministerial conditions you're talking about. Do you mean, is there a timeframe for these amendments? Amelia Lorentson 01:06:15.680
My question is, do the amendments relate to the South East Queensland regional plan? Does it relate to the ministerial conditions? Why are we in a rush to endorse this today, is my question. Kim Rawlings 01:06:33.811
As I discussed when the Mayor asked the opening question, there are a range of reasons we're doing these amendments, one of which is to ensure that our amendments comply with state planning policy and any changes to a planning scheme has to comply with the regional plan, South East Queensland regional plan. Is there a timeframe to have to do this? No. No, this is, there's no set timeframe we need to do this by. There's a process we need to follow and there are timeframes within each step of the process but we're not on any deadline to have this. The deadline to have this done and to say that this has been rushed, I guess what I would say is this has been three years in the making. Amelia Lorentson 01:07:30.875
Sorry, I withdraw the word rushed. Probably what I wanted to say is whether the economic, social, cultural implications, have they been thoroughly understood by councillors? Kim Rawlings 01:07:46.111
What I would say is that as we talked about in the last meeting, those issues are all considered in the process. They have to be in compliance with state planning policy. State interest check has been achieved. The minister has signed off on them. Our state strategic framework seeks to balance all of those things. We've got a raft of strategies and technical background information, feasibility analysis, all of those things. things have gone into a very considered and comprehensive package of information. I can't comment on whether Council has understood those. Frank Wilkie 01:08:28.225
Do you wish to speak for or against the amendment? Amelia Lorentson 01:08:35.920
A little bit. I am supporting the amendment in front of us because I think it presents a better option than what is what has been proposed in the report. I do want to sort of note to sort of note a couple of things that are really concerning to me. I asked before whether the residents that are impacted, have they been notified and the answer was no. So the issue that I have is the word compromise. Compromise can only be achieved when all the parties have been engaged and agree on a course of action. That hasn't happened, councillors. And that's where I'm sitting really uncomfortable with any of these on the run type of amendments. The fundamental problem we've got today is that those are impacted as Councillor Phillips said, the ones who actually don't even know this is happening. And I'm going to reference what happened in 2020. Five councillors by majority approved the Noosa Plan in 2020. Changes in those plans resulted in medium density zonings, areas that were traditionally affordable housing for our central workers, places in Noosa Hill, places in Sunshine Beach, were made into exclusive hotel zones. Council through the Noosa Plan 2020 amended the plan to make short-term accommodation a consistent use in medium density zoning. These are the dangers. We've got an application at the moment in planning an environment where again in 2020 the unintended implications of decisions, significant decisions that we're making around the table, we see certain surface in our planning environment. Residents who purchased 20 years ago, 15 years ago, residents who left kin-kin to seek a quiet rural lifestyle have just been informed that Noosa Council in 2020 twinning. Frank Wilkie 01:10:46.690
I will. Amelia Lorentson 01:10:48.450
So my question is that I came speaking to the motion and I will support this because it's better than been proposed and I have some fundamental issues with what's being presented in front of us. I will speak to property rights and medium and high density residential zones because again this is really This is really important to our community. Changes to property rights and even changes, this is still presenting changes in property rights in medium and high density residential zones. Challenge our core responsibilities as councillors. Our core responsibilities to protect community interest, uphold democratic integrity and make decisions based on evidence and transparency. Changes have ignited Transparency. Changes have ignited widespread concern as Councillor Nicola alluded to. We've had a lot of opposition and that's been reflected in a petition that was presented to Council signed by over 1,000 residents We've had extensive feedback from residents in Pomona, from residents in Noosa Hill. We've had deputations, we've had coffee meetings, there's been business chamber forums, there's been community meetings out in Pomona. the message from our community is unambiguous. They do not support these amendments. Residents, again, they're not rejecting the need for housing solutions. They're rejecting an approach that unfairly places the burden of resolving the housing crisis on them, while threatening their values or evidence that these changes changes Noosa, Tewantin, Cooroy, Doonan, Kabi Kabi, values or evidence that these changes will in fact increase housing supply. Noosa, Tewantin, Cooroy, Doonan, Kabi Kabi, furthermore the social consequences such as the erosion of neighbourhood character and community values have not been adequately assessed. Tewantin, Cooroy, Doonan, Kabi Kabi, furthermore the social consequences such as the erosion of neighbourhood character and community values have not been adequately assessed. I can't understand how council can proceed with such significant amendments without this essential information. Acting in the absence of thorough understanding of consequences in my opinion undermines trust and creates undue anxiety and stress within our community. Post amendments even the one in front of us still will diminish our property owners, some of our property owners future rights to build single dwellings or duplexes in medium and high density zones. This impacts not only the current owners but also future generations, their kids. This issue transcends housing policy. It represents a broader erosion of property rights and democratic processes. The community has clearly stated their desire to preserve the unique character and identity of their neighbourhoods. Values that are at risk of being of being permanently altered without sufficient justification, or more importantly, without community endorsement. Council must take into serious consideration the lessons of past decisions in the 2020 Noosa Plan that I've just referred to. There is no state and post urgency requiring immediate... Hasting decisions, to me, are irresponsible. As councillors, our role is to protect and preserve our residents' rights, not diminish them. It's our obligation to listen to our community and ensure that their voices guide our decisions. is not about just housing, it's about maintaining trust and respecting the democratic rights of our residents to shape the decisions that directly affect their lives. Again, I'm going Again, the debate i'm going to support Councillor Nicola and I thank you and I understand the intent and it's better than what's been put forward. Brian Stockwell 01:15:07.506
Yes, Councillor did a really good job. Councillor did a really good job of identifying the two competing objectives. There is a perception that change to land use rights, land use provisions in a Provisions in a planning scheme changes property rights. Property rights are actually based on planning schemes. There's been a perception that the current homeowners rights are diminished and the opposite view is that the current settings of the planning schemes have diminished the ability to find housing for far, far more than many Noa people in our Shire. So since we deferred this meeting the 2024 Homeless Monitoring Report came out and I came out. And I think one of the reasons why we're debating this, it probably wouldn't have been two years ago when the housing process really was front of mind, is people think it might have got better. It hasn't. So in fact, homelessness in Australia, people registering for support has grown 10,000 people per month. 15% of those people have jobs. So we're not talking about the traditional view of a homeless person. So we're not talking about... We're talking about society having this fundamental crisis in its social provision of housing, but also its flow onto the economics. I'm not rushing any decision. I have a full understanding of the social and economic impacts of the proposed way ahead. And our job is to balance the public interest. And yes, there is the argument, so beautifully captured in the movie, The Castle. No doubt, but everyone lying into a medium density residential zone should aware that those zones' primary purpose is for multi-unit dwellings. It has always been the case. So why do we have to change the settings if it's always been the case? Well, the reason is, historically what happened is you have your old houses there. One gets ready to be redeveloped, goes into units. And then gradually as the redevelopment occurs, the intent of the zone is achieved. That's changed. That's changed with the shortage supply of housing. That's changed with the value of land in our coastal area such that now instead of going to multi-unit developments, there is a greater drive to change from the old house to a very large house. And in this case what this amendment would mean is a total potential yield from the medium density and high density residential zone. Diminishing the potential houses for 2,400 people. I'll repeat that. That's diminishing the housing yield by 2,400 people. They're what this scheme's about. We won't ever get to that figure. Now, we won't ever get to 100%. But this is why I think it's such a significant change, is we have fundamental social and economic instability in Noosa that is driven by the current housing crisis. We have to consider how best to achieve regulated targets within the scheme of amendment. We have to... The amendment also doesn't think about the perverse implications... doing this. The amendments are set up to achieve those dwelling targets set in the SEQ regional plan. If we don't achieve them or can't demonstrate we can achieve them in the medium density and high density residential zone, continues. Will the State come back and say that's fine but you have to have duplexes in all your low density residential zones and up to three storeys? Then how many of our existing residents and character amenity are going to be challenged? Or are they going to say that's fine but it can be greenfield development, we're going into all that constrained land whether it be environment, flooding. There are implications for changing the settings as recommended by staff that will lead to potential perverse incomes, to outcomes. So I understand that for those residents who are in a single dwelling home who may have views that they want to go to a much larger home, that they might find this a confronting proposal. We do have to make hard decisions but sometimes the right decisions are hard and to me the right decision is increasing housing choice and ensuring the purpose of the medium density, high density residential zone considering the current trends and trajectories can be met. Frank Wilkie 01:20:00.032
I ask a question through the Chair? Amelia Lorentson 01:20:04.452
So just follow on with what Councillor Stockwell said. Do we still have opportunity to explore other housing solutions other than what's been presented to us today? Reading the 137 pages and the submissions there were some very good ready to go submissions. Thank you. Kim Rawlings 01:20:25.696
We've always got opportunity to explore other housing solutions and like I said previously, there's not one solution to this. It requires multiple solutions and multiple stakeholders to address the issues that we are facing. This is just but one of those. Frank Wilkie 01:20:54.820
Not everyone would be aware of the external pressures being put on Noosa Shire to provide the greatest supply of available housing and affordable housing. I accept Councillor' argument on that. A lot of people are unaware. way But those of us that are in the sphere and charged with protecting the values of Noosa Shire, the livability we all love, our right to good standard of living, are painfully aware that during the recent SEQ review, we were looking at possibly four or eight stories. We were looking at of us We're looking at possibly in the medium to high density residential zones. The threat of duplexes up to three stories on low density residential lots if we don't meet our growing targets. To achieve that, making sure our medium and high density residential zones work as intended under the planning scheme are absolutely key to that. In terms of having the right to live in live in a house and expand that house, there are up to 20,000 lots in the low density residential zone, the rural residential zone and the rural zone where you can have a house and expand it to whatever The arguments we've heard do not The response made in the planning scheme, the names that are currently before us, to the community feedback. We have heard that requiring anything but a small so that's being reflected in the many messages on it that's being accepted and reflected the request to be able to have a duplex on a lot up to a thousand square metres has been reflected and respected but the majority of lots remaining in the median and highest areas and central zones have to deliver multiple dwellings in order for us to meet our dwelling targets so that the State to lessen the likelihood of the State intervening, not having confidence in this council to make the decisions it needs to make its housing zone work as intended and will impose something that will disadvantage more people. It is a hard decision. We've already seen the State come in through the State facilitation in, through the State facilitated development process, move legislation that gives them the right to totally bypass the council planning scheme to deliver affordable housing. Fortunately, we've had a reprieve, but the SEQ planning process, regional planning process, still looms, and with Noosa Council, we've been told by staff, it's been put on notice that if it does not meet its growing targets, then there is a Then there is a far more less palatable outcome that could become a reality. The reality is that we need to understand is that local government is subject to the strictures and imperatives of state government. Government: I would much rather take proactive steps now rather than have our planning rights taken away from the State because we cannot make our planning scheme, zonings or workers intended. I would much rather... We've also heard that property rights are protected. There are existing use rights. A house can be replaced life for life on the lot. You can renovate it if you wish to can ratify it. If you wish to expand and build a bigger house and a medium density or high density residential zone, you can make an application through a superseded planning scheme in 12 months and then you have picture data and you've got six years to do it. councillors totally valid. But please think of the long-term future of Noosa Shire. The threats that we do face, the realities, the every VR fair run determination of federal and state governments to make sure that all levels of government play their part in addressing the housing affordability and availability crisis. None of this is saying that this is saying that allowing units on medium-density lots is going to necessarily be affordable housing in the strict technical sense of the word, but it will be able to provide drawing support drawing supply that doesn't exist if only a house exists on that property for a wide variety of essential workers. I'm talking people in the middle, as Councillor refers to, teachers, police, paramedics, Councillors, it is a hard decision, but please think of the long term future of the Noosa Shire. I still recall the few rule when the planning scheme, Noosa planning scheme, was heightened instead of a proper Instead of a property owner being able to build to six storeys, they were limited to two or three. That was a loss of property rights. But it has made Noosa of what it is today. We're talking about the long term future of the Shire. Let's make a decision today that makes the planning scheme That endorses amendments that take on board feedback and has that reflected in it. also helps us meet our dwelling targets so the State doesn't take our right to self-determination away. Thank you. Jessica Phillips 01:27:11.100
Please ask a question Mr Mayor, just in relation to dwelling supply that you just It's a weird question to start in but I just need to circle and give some context. Because dwelling supply in high density, I don't believe will achieve essential worker affordable housing. As the previous place I'm sorry I still won't be able to afford a unit in a high density area. You may be honest, councillor, please. My question is, is, when when I I refer refer to to Noosa Plan's strategic framework regarding infill and underutilised land, my question is, have we looked at, in these amendments, utilising that strategic framework that was mentioned in the 2020 plan about infill and underutilised land, please? Kim Rawlings 01:28:08.408
So, what these amendments do to utilise the zones in the way they're intended is infill, that's what infill is, so yes. Using zones as intended is considered infill development. In terms of looking at underutilised land, absolutely. So, since we've had a housing strategy we've looked at lots of different parcels of land and what might be considered underutilised land. And when you underutilise a zone, a piece of land, it could actually achieve greater outcomes. That is looking at underutilised land. So these absolutely align with those two objectives. These amendments are both about infill and about underutilised land Jessica Phillips 01:29:02.972
Sorry, just to follow up because it probably wasn't as clear, the idea that you utilised When was the last time we tested community's appetite around height changes given the comments from the Mayor around staying imposed and have we gone out and really tested where our current community sits with areas that might be appropriate to create some higher housing? When was the last time Is there uptight? Do we know that as evidence? Kim Rawlings 01:29:37.772
So the issue of height is always an issue in our community. It's always been an issue that's held very firmly in terms of achieving the Noosa lifestyle and character and held very dear to anyone who's dear to anyone who's lived here and has been you know an important part of the DNA of who we are and why Noosa is the place it is. So it's always part of the discussion. As you would know in these amendments we are proposing some bonus height provisions in areas that we think will have the least impact. So in our major centres. So in the Noosa Junction and in the Shire Business Centre there are bonus provisions that an extra 2 metres of height to achieve more housing, affordable housing outcomes. And you would know that through the submissions we got a lot of feedback on that around people's concern. You know, height is sacrosanct in Noosa. Why, why is this being looked at? So again, you know, it's a weighing up. It's a weighing up of what we need to achieve, how to incentivise getting these outcomes, and providing some development bonuses to try and get affordable housing outcomes. Otherwise, we're not going to soon. The Noosa Plan process definitely had the issue of height as a key issue that was discussed and debated in the development of the new plan. And there's, you know, there's, I mean, this is a massive generalisation, but general statement. But generally, people are not keen on increasing height limits in Noosa. Generally, like I said, that's General, like I said, that's a massive generalisation, so we need to put a whole lot of context around that. Yeah, so, you know, it's always an issue whenever we seek to change the planning scheme. Frank Wilkie 01:31:57.852
I have a follow-up question. Can you give a sense of the feeling, community feeling, during SEQ planning? The recent SEQ planning process when two places, up to three levels, were proposed in the Eldie residential zone and apartments four to eight storeys were proposed in other zones. What was the community feeling about that sort of height increase? Thanks for that prompt, Councillor Wilkie. Through the Chair. I want that question answered, please. Amelia Lorentson 01:32:25.436
Is that relevant to the No, it's a follow-up question to Councillor Phillips's question about the community's feeling about height. Kim Rawlings 01:32:35.932
Yes, so we, there was a lot of community angst about the South East Queensland regional plan process around, across South East Queensland, not just in Noosa, but very much in Noosa. We had lots of community feedback, submissions. I'm sure there was petitions, there was a notice of motion by council. And, you know, staff were very much given, you know, the direction to ensure our involvement in that process reflected those, those concerns. Very much, a lot of concern about, about potential of concern about potential increases in height and when the Drive South East Queensland Regional Plan came out, it came out with some wording and images that did talk to eight stories and yeah, there was great concern from the community around that and we also saw just recently around the SFD development processes in the absence of information provided to council on those developments by the State government through that process. There was a lot of speculation I guess about the heights of those developments that again caused a whole lot of concern in the community. you. Amelia Lorentson 01:33:58.040
A follow up question given that we're a little bit off track. I'll be quite specific. Has the question been asked in terms of Noosa Civic? Is there an appetite in the community to densify, provide more than what we already are offering in terms of height bonus provisions to that Kim Rawlings 01:34:27.176
There's probably two responses to that. We significantly increased the housing and at Noosa Civic during allowed and densification of Noosa Civic through the Noosa Plan process and then we've done that again through these amendments. So these amendments do allow increases in height, bonus provisions and density allowing more housing. In the housing high density residential zoning and also in the village mixed use zone above the commercial and retail. So we are already using our major centres and same with the Noosa Junction to cater for the more significant amount of growth. Have we specifically asked the community that question? Not specifically asked that question but we are already doing, providing for a lot more housing that can happen out at the Shire Business Centre. Amelia Lorentson 01:35:24.118
In terms of another specific site, TAFE site, is there opportunity to explore bonus provisions there? I think that's why we're out of SCOBA council licence. I accept that. Councillor Wilson, do you wish to close? Councillor Wilson, do you wish to close? Councillor Wilson, Tom Wegener 01:35:43.328
I really appreciate your motion. Councillor Thank you. Of the Lord today. I appreciate your steadfast articulation. Jess and I feel the pain. I get it. But this is not the new to us. We knew for two and a half years that we were going to face this. This isn't a new issue. This isn't a new. We've been talking about this. In my mind, I've been wrestling with this for years. So we have to make hard decisions. And this is a hard decision we have to make. And when you when you go you're going forward to make Noosa more perfect, you're always going to take rights away from people. You're going to injure people. People come out a little bit less than what they wanted. But we have to do it for the greater good. to do it for the greater good. We must actually think about the greater good for Noosa in the long term and that's what our planners here have done and that's what we have been talking about for years. There's nothing new here. So I'm sorry I won't support the end of it. Nicola Wilson 01:36:52.680
Residential amenity, safety, sense of community and belonging. amenity, safety, sense of community and belonging are maintained. That's a new strategic outcome in the community well-being section of the plan that has been added as a set of amendments. of community and belonging. That's what our residents in the medium density zone want to maintain. Yes, I agree the medium density zone, as Councillor Stockwell said, is intended for greater densification, but a house has always been... intensification, but a house has always been a consistent use till now. Anyone who's moved into that zone had no expectation that that would ever be any consistent use. Whoever saw a housing shortage coming did not expect that they would have less rights on their piece of land to build a bigger house. As I said in the earlier version of this meeting, last week, my concern is that we're putting the burden of the housing shortage onto existing homeowners. I don't believe that's where the burden should lie. We're talking about different ways that we can that we can increase the housing supply, I do want to address the homelessness and provide affordable housing for everybody in the Shire, but I don't believe this is the way that we'll really be able to achieve that. Individual homeowners Individual homeowners are probably not going to be able to afford to put two extra units on their block on the order they want to. So what's going to happen? They're probably either not going to do anything, they might renovate their home but they're probably not going to be able to extend it. Extending their home would give a greater yield on the site, it could house more people and extended families. But what probably what's going to happen is nothing. No development, no new houses. What's the other option? They sell to developers. So that residential amenity community sense of belonging disappears. This doesn't help housing choice. Most likely there will be no development on those smaller sites of between 500 and 1,000 square metres. Hence my amendment. I'll close there. Frank Wilkie 01:38:56.848
You can put the amendment of those in favour. Those for Councillor, Lorentson and Wilson. Those against, Councillor Wegener, Stockwell and Wilkie. The amendment is lost on the council vote of the chair. Does anyone have other amendments? they'd like to... Yes, this one. Jessica Phillips 01:39:17.698
Mine is in relation to this junction, but before I go on to my amendment, can I ask a couple of questions that will start the roll roll? Since we're going from one topic to the next. Can you explain more to people watching around the level playing field that the amendment is trying to achieve? Specifically in relation to, and I'll be very transparent that you and I have had this conversation so you could clear it up for me so that the people watching understand that. What I'd like to hear is what you explained to me about when it was a new application coming in and existing businesses, please. Kim Rawlings 01:40:06.620
Through the Chair, thanks Councillor. Councillor. So the proposed changes to the Noosa Junction area relate both to hours of operation and amplified music. It's important to note that these changes aren't retrospective, so that they don't relate to businesses that have already approved and have hours of They already have liquor license, like the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, but that's their established. These are going forward. So if there are new businesses established, so if there was a new food and drink outlet to open up, the changes, current situation, many of the businesses are able to operate until midnight. We had requests for a level planning field because existing businesses both in the Junction and Hastings Street can operate until midnight. At the moment our planning scheme says until 10pm. So if there was a new business, if these amendments get in, new business wants to start, a new drink outlet wants to start, they open up. The businesses next door can operate until 12pm. Under the current arrangements they can only operate until 10pm. Under these amendments they would be able to then operate until 12pm. Level planning field. So when we talk level planning field, that's the answer. the outcome we're trying to achieve. In terms of amplified music, if they wanted to do amplified music, they could, but only if that new business treated their facility acoustically in a way that met the requirements for amplified music. So it is about the new businesses coming in. coming in. It's not about what's there existing. Jessica Phillips 01:42:12.335
So my amendment, and this is why I did say at the point I might have to add something on the floor so bear with me everyone. the additional part about having a new application having to acoustically treat will need to be included in my proposed amendment. But my proposed amendment starts with proceed with the proposed extended hours of operation for food and drink outlets to 12 midnight Saturdays Kathy. Include new applications needing to acoustically treat. Nicola Wilson 01:43:02.900
So that's everything we need to talk about music? Definitely. Jessica Phillips 01:43:10.580
No doubt. SPEAKER_08 01:43:20.320
Acoustically treated to the appropriate level. No. No. That's why. Jessica Phillips 01:43:26.340
I'll keep it. Thanks. To be acoustic. Treated. And then delete proposed changes in. Nicola Wilson 01:43:43.387
That was you then. You don't know. Jessica Phillips 01:43:46.527
Yeah, I do. Delete proposed changes at 1.2 or 1.3 and remove the definition of the end point of music. And I'll tell you why. Bye. We probably need to include new applications where amplified music is proposed to be used in the future. After including new applications where amplified music SPEAKER_01 01:44:34.680
So proceed with the proposed extended hours of operation for food and air callers to 12 to 9, seven days per week including new applications where amplified music is proposed. proposed to be acoustically treated and including new applications. Kim Rawlings 01:44:59.060
It only applies to the new applications. SPEAKER_08 01:45:03.880
And it should be and where amplified music is proposed to be acoustically treated. Frank Wilkie 01:45:09.160
Including new applications and where. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:45:15.886
We don't need so many questions. If I second, I can still move in the main act because it's a main act. I'm happy to sit on it. We'll just get the wording on. Are you happy with part four? Yes, because Yes, because we're taking out... we're taking out the restrictions around, although I won't say restrictions. Apologies, I don't have a point to all of them. I just make the point now with that little addition that if in point four you delete the definition of amplified music, we don't have a definition of amplified music. I thought that that's probably sort of, you Jessica Phillips 01:46:04.720
Yes, we're going to need to keep the definition and just remove one point two then. And one point three is the definition. Kabi, just include the definition of amplified music. I did say this would have to roll and I'll tell you why. proposed changes at one point two, which is include the provision that no amplified music is located onsite, indoor or outdoor beyond 9pm from Sunday through Thursday unless the site has been acoustically treated to the appropriate levels. If I may be able to play with the wording, can I give you why, what's the time? Can we do that? And I think it will be very clear. Brian Stockwell 01:46:45.094
Oh yeah, definitely. We've had a segment, but I've got a range of concerns about the construction of this. We have to play it out, it's in a general meeting, we can't. Frank Wilkie 01:46:56.364
Okay, Councillor Stockwell is quite right, but we can test this and question it, and if it's lost, we can redraft and that suits what you're trying to achieve. Jessica Phillips 01:47:05.064
There is a reason why we had to do it on the floor, and that was because there was still questions around what I wanted What I want to do is keep it simple. It's a KISS approach. I think what has happened with this particular amendment in our, what we've been proposed is actually complicating what is currently there. I really agree with equity. I want to see new businesses and businesses have a level playing field. I want to make that really clear. What I don't want to do is step council into a lane where we don't belong because I see huge issues with starting to look at legislation that fits with OLGR. We are not compo not compliance in music, we are not police. I am worried that we are putting a false expectation on staff, on community. I feel there will be a false sense of hope. That potentially council, someone can call up customer service and get someone to go and, a team of local laws to go and enforce something to do with music down in the junction, which is absolutely outside our remit. I think once we start putting levels of government in a local council that is already being done by state, we are not keeping it simple. So my intention specifically around this amendment is for clarity for anybody that owns a business down in the junction to know that they've got a level of planning field, but also that somebody a member of the public understands what is in our remit and what is not. I don't know if I can make it any clearer. I don't want false expectations from our residents about what is in Council's remit and what isn't. I don't want to complicate things. I really want to see that this amendment can start looking at keeping it simple and understandable. Last week was a perfect example when I watched back the meeting that there is confusion around music, training hours, what's OODR, what's Council's remit and I want that really clear in Questions? Brian Stockwell 01:49:26.520
I suppose it's a question to the mover. Were you intending that all new applications had to be acoustically treated because it's not limited to any particular timeframe and when that music is played? Frank Wilkie 01:49:46.866
You could have amplified music at the moment up to 9pm and not require acoustic treatment. It's only outside certain areas. My understanding of this amendment actually takes away that Jessica Phillips 01:50:03.400
So my question to clear that is that are we getting on a level playing field or will this mean that someone that already has those operating hours is allowed it? Can you see what I'm trying to achieve? I don't, I want to make sure that I want to make sure that everyone has a level playing field. New applications have to acoustically treat because that's a condition that we as council can set on an application. We're allowed to do that, that's not stepping outside our remit. What I don't want to see is a confusion for community where we are imposing complaints. Kim Rawlings 01:50:47.120
What I understand you're seeking to achieve is to revert to the current provisions of the Noosa Plan regarding operating hours. Sorry, sorry. To create a level playing field. So to revert to the provisions that were advertised in these amendments, not the current provisions. The advertised provisions which sought to extend the operating hours of food and drink outlets from 10pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight Friday to Saturday to midnight seven days a week. So that was as advertised. And then to remove any specific requirement for amplified music that relates to hours. That blends those two issues to remove anything that's proposed in the changes relating to that but to still include the definition of amplified music. Thank you for watching this video, and I'll Is that correct? Jessica Phillips 01:52:07.096
Yeah, because we need the definition to give council clarification when there's a new application around acoustic treatment when they're putting in air. That's right. Kim Rawlings 01:52:21.476
Yeah. Yeah. So the first part of that amendment does what you intended. The second part of the amendment. Frank Wilkie 01:52:38.460
Can I propose that we have a, we've been going for two and a quarter hours. I hope I can get this right. We adjourn for a comfort break and give Councillor an opportunity to talk to staff about the party's wording and also for a fresh hour. Jessica Phillips 01:52:56.544
It's fine as long as I'm on the record. I haven't tried to do this on the floor. We have been working on it. It's just because it's not clear is why we're here. And I want clarity after it. So by consent of the meeting, can we adjourn? 15 minutes. I've been working on it. Frank Wilkie 01:53:18.012
We're back. We're in the middle of an amendment. Councillor, is there something you wish to... Jessica Phillips 01:53:39.940
I'm going to let this motion fall so we can have a go. Now we've got some wording clarity. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:53:47.220
So I'll put it to the vote. Motion to feed it. Councillor. I have an amendment that I'd like to move and the amendment... The amendment is that item 3 be added to item C, 3 delete section 1.1 to 1.4 and replace with 1.1 not proceed with proposed amendments as advertised and retain the current provision Noosa Plan and 1.2 as part of the next round of amendments anticipated to be initiated in 2025. Further investigations occur considering aligning noise related provisions to state requirements such as those by the office of liquor and gaming and the Environmental Protection Act and that these investigations inform any future amendments if appropriate. Is anyone going to second that? That we not proceed with the amendment package? Tom Wegener 01:55:05.502
Did she talk about the junction amendment? Nicola Wilson 01:55:53.880
If I have another amendment. Frank Wilkie 01:55:58.140
Look, um, you, you can. I'm just checking to see that it's not what the outcome of this amendment is seeking is not the same as what we, was discussed last week. Amelia Lorentson 01:56:13.476
For clarity purposes, last week, I moved an amendment to defer consideration of the amendments, um, and to allow these discussions to take part of our precinct management plan, which was endorsed by. Council in October 2024, um, and that, um, was not supported. It went down 5-2. Um, the motion, the amendment that I've put in, in place here is to seek clarity with, in fact, whether there are any conflicts. I've been, um, notified that there are potential conflicts with what we advertised. Um, and with what is, in fact, state, um, noise parameters and regulations, um, that are contained within state legislations, um, office of litter and gaming regulations, and the environmental protection act. So what I'm asking asking is just if we can have just some time to ensure that what we're proposing is in alignment with State. Frank Wilkie 01:57:23.122
Okay, I've got the amendment that was moved which was to retain the current hours of operation in the hospitality which is the current provisions of the planning scheme, until investigations have been undertaken into suitable precinct management and once these investigations have completely considered any recommendations, including changing operating hours for food and drink outlets in the Noosa Junction hospitality precinct, it's part of the future planning scheme amendment to the Noosa Plan. So that seems largely the same as the amendment that we discussed last time. I cannot see any difference. Amelia Lorentson 01:58:18.069
I think there's the chalk and cheese, Mayor, and I'm happy to explain. This amendment seeks assurance that we are actually aligned with state. Frank Wilkie 01:58:30.919
Yeah, I think you said the same last time Amelia Lorentson 01:58:34.979
So this is... No, I made no reference to alignment. I've just had some new information that's come to me over the last three days. That information was not available to me. So what I asked last available to me so what I asked last time was if we can make this part of the amendments if we could include that as part of the precinct management framework investigations. Frank Wilkie 01:58:59.726
Yeah so this is not received with the proposed amendments as advertised which means no changes to the hours of operation or the music or the definitions of amplified music and conduct further investigations about noise related provisions. Look okay look we'll allow it and let it either fall stay. Do we have a seconder to this? I just have a question to staff. If we were allowed a discussion of this to pass, would it preclude any further changes to the hours of operation of amplified music in the junction? In terms In terms of any other amendments, it would stop other amendments about amplified music or hours of operation being discussed, isn't it? Kim Rawlings 02:00:03.411
What this seeks to do is delete any of the proposed changes and just maintain status quo in the next plan. So that relates to hours of operation, amplified music and acoustic treatment. So if there was to be any... So if there was to be any further amendments, if this amendment was passed, it would delete those and we'd go operating what we've got now. If councils want anything different, we would then have to move an amendment to bring... Tom Wegener 02:00:36.999
So what Jess was proposing, if this got up, that wouldn't, we wouldn't be debating out of Iraq, it would be non-moving. So what Jess was proposing, if this got up, we wouldn't be debating out of Iraq, it would be non-moving. Kim Rawlings 02:00:47.129
So what Jess was proposing, if this got up, that wouldn't, we wouldn't be debating out of Iraq, it would be non-moving. So what Jess was proposing, if this got up, that wouldn't, we wouldn't be debating out of So what Jess was proposing, if this got up, that wouldn't, we wouldn't be debating out Procedural impediment, I'm moving another amendment that brought things back in. It's alright. Frank Wilkie 02:01:06.195
But wouldn't that be a direct negation of what this... Brian Stockwell 02:01:09.155
No, it's not a direct negation of the original motion. So you can change an amendment. Are you still only amending the overall motion? Yeah. Frank Wilkie 02:01:17.755
Okay. We'll allow it. Okay. Looks like it's lapsed for one second. The amendment is lost. Jessica Phillips 02:01:48.320
So reverting back to just for the break around why my amendment is there is to seek clarification. We know that there is work to be done and coming from the notify motion from Councillor Lorentson in October about. To make another decision but for my amendment now is that the item 3 be added to item C in section 2 in the attachment 2 that the proposed changes in 1.2 to be deleted. So all I'm asking for is in the proposed changes that we remove the bit that seems to be complicating the music verse operating hours. This is what this amendment Frank Wilkie 02:03:03.740
So just for clarity, the provision that's going to be deleted from proposed changes to the Noosa Junction Hospitality Precinct is that the action would have been include a provision that no amplified music is located on site, indoor or outdoor beyond 9pm from Sunday through Thursday unless the site has been acoustically treated to the Jessica Phillips 02:03:33.120
Yes, because that's the provision that I believe keeps getting us caught up in a debate about where music and operating hours is linked when they're not. So I'm seeking to clarify these amendments. Frank Wilkie 02:03:55.420
All right. We have a seconder for this one. Councillor Wegener, Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 02:04:04.040
I'm going to probably repeat myself significantly because of the situation just earlier. What I aim to achieve is keeping it simple at the moment, knowing that there's work to be done in July. And I believe that that will give us some clarity around responsibility and who, whether state, OOGR, Senate, in compliancing and where council sits in its remit. My purpose directly relates to not complicating things that council Is it in our lane? Is it not in our lane? I just believe that this gives some clarity for everybody around the table and the community business owners that we're seeking a level playing seeking a level playing field for operating hours and we're going to have new applications that we can put provisions around acoustic treatment, which makes sense. The 1.4 that includes requirements for acoustic treatment for new dwellings in the high-density residential zones. We're immediately adjoining the major centre zone. Absolutely makes sense that new dwellings, that provision can apply. I'm just seeking to take out any confusion for everybody and for everyone. Brian Stockwell 02:05:52.660
Is there any current provisions in the existing News Plan 2020 in relation to hours and relevant noise limits? Or amplified music? Is there anything that says currently it's 10pm, or 9pm, or 12pm? SPEAKER_08 02:06:11.690
Through the Chair, there are provisions within the Business Activities Code and the Entertainment Activities Code that relate to music and hours of operation of music, not hours of operation of venues. Amelia Lorentson 02:06:31.880
So for clarity, Environmental Protection Act allows noise levels no more than 5 decibels above background level until 10pm, and no more than 3 decibels above decibels above the background level from 10pm to midnight. So, I'm confused if that was the intent of my previous amendment to seek clarity. Does our clause confirm Does our clause conflict with the Environmental Protection Act? SPEAKER_08 02:07:04.323
Through the Chair, those provisions are different state legislation which we have no control over. As stated, we can only really look at operation hours and how buildings are treated. So, Office of Gaming and Liquor and those acts supersede, like they're not mandated. They're not related to the planning scheme. They're outside the planning scheme. So, obviously, if someone's playing music, they're under a liquor licence or selling alcohol, they're under a liquor licence. Therefore, OLGR would be examining noise issues. Council would not be. So, we don't look at noise. We don't monitor or complain. Frank Wilkie 02:07:48.380
So, I'll ask the question, how would this amendment if passed impact on 1.3, which is amend amplified music provisions to apply to inside and outside the venue unless acoustically treated to the appropriate levels? Yeah. If 1.2 was still in, I think, if I recall correctly, about hours of amplified music stopping at 9pm Sunday through to Thursday unless the site's been acoustically treated, is that consistent with what the Office of the Living Endowment? That consistent with what the Office of Legal Endowment Regulation currently apply to the deduction? How does it sit with that? And is it complete with conditions that OLGR imposes? SPEAKER_08 02:08:50.876
OLGR look to the planning scheme for guidance around operationals, so they would use planning scheme as a guide. Generally, they would have the music to align with the provisions in the planning scheme. So separate to operationals, that's separate to how they do live-life music. So there's no conflict. Okay. If Frank Wilkie 02:09:17.995
If this was... this amendment was passed, what would the hours of operation, what hours where live music could be played, what would they be? And how would they be determined? Through the chair, I would revert back to the planning scheme where we have already had hours of operation for amplified and acoustic music, which is... It's a double up, I guess. So it's not going to make any... Much difference. much difference. Music through that scheme. through that scheme. Yes. So that wouldn't, this wouldn't stop that. Yes. So that wouldn't, this wouldn't stop that. Yes. So that wouldn't, this wouldn't stop that. No. No. But if this was to fall, there would be a more consistent, the intention was a more consistent standard. To fall, there would be a more consistent, the intention was a more consistent standard. applied to the venues in the junction. Is that what the outcome you're seeking to achieve? It was in attempt to provide clarity, but understanding that it hasn't. Obviously from the discussions we've been had. SPEAKER_08 02:10:26.725
So yeah, it's still covered. It's just removing that double up and that confusion around operation hours of a venue. It was in attempt to provide clarity, but understanding that it hasn't. Obviously from the discussions we've been had. So yeah, it's still covered. It's just removing that double up and that confusion around operation hours of a venue. Kim Rawlings 02:10:36.941
If I can add to that, the essence of this change in 1.2 was really about being clear about indoor and outdoor. That was the essence of the change. So the current scheme already talks about amplified music and specific hours and all that, so that's covered. It was really to provide a bit more clarity about both what amplified music means and where. So it was the indoor /outdoor piece that was trying to seek clarity, but if this amendment gets through, there are still provisions in the scheme that will guide this issue. Brian Stockwell 02:11:16.052
I'm going to talk to her because I don't think the amendment achieves don't think the amendment achieves what's intended to achieve. The current business activity code in section 13 talks about noise, visual and odour impacts. They don't, it doesn't have any time limitations there, it just says, you know, POs, undesirable visual or odour impacts on public spaces and residential uses are avoided and etc. And it talks about where a business activity requires the use of acoustic attenuation measures to mitigate adverse impacts on nearby sensitive land use. Such measures are designed and constructed to be compatible with local streetscape. Then it goes on to live music. And the 9pm limit. It's not a change. The scheme says, and it relates to acoustic live music, and says acoustic live music not reliant on electric electronic equipment ceases to operate in outdoor spaces by 9:00pm. Sunday to Thursday and 10:00pm. Friday and Saturday, except if located in Hastings Street Mixed Use Precinct or Noosa Junction Hospitality Precinct, where it can operate till 10:00pm. Sunday to Thursday and by 12:00 midnight. The amplified live music ceased to operate in outdoor spaces by 7:00pm. I'm not going to go into it. There's another one there in 14.3. Amplified live music ceases to operate in outdoor spaces by 7:00pm. seven days a week. If it's in the Noosa Junction, where it can operate until 9:00pm. Sunday to Thursday, 10:00pm. Friday and Saturday. Amplified, one was acoustic, one was amplified. Acoustic got to go an extra hour. That's the current scheme. Okay? What the amendments do is keep those settings, but realising that noise emanates from any machine that makes music, not necessarily a player. That's the key difference in terms That's the key difference in terms of what the change is. It's about saying whether it's live or whether it's recorded, we want that 9pm limit. It's not increasing any further restrictions other than to say you can't have a disc jockey there, producing more noise. a live musician. It's fairly simple, and yes, 9pm is different to the 10pm that's in EPP noise, but it's in the scheme currently. Frank Wilkie 02:13:57.286
Thank you Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 02:13:59.526
Can I ask, have any business owners, landowners, and the Noosa Junction Association, have they been consulted with Through the Chair, no. So no, because I received phone calls from business owners totally oblivious to these proposed changes. Can I ask why they weren't consulted? SPEAKER_08 02:14:28.940
Through the Chair it was... The, the, the. The changes as a result of the submissions, no they haven't been notified, but the changes that were previously were advertised and notified to, to the Noosa Junction Association and traders. So, so these changes that we've made consequential to submissions, no they have not been notified of. Amelia Lorentson 02:14:52.756
In October 2023 we endorsed a notified motion that allowed these sorts of discussions to be considered as part of a precinct management framework investigations. We've also been yes there's the question coming we've also been in consultation with the Noosa Junction Association we've met with a lecturer in tourism events president Tourism events, president of YIP. We've already started a process investigating how. Point of order, clearly debating, not answering the question. My question is, is the amendments in front of us, do they contradict the notified motion and the, and do they, are Are they also a breach of good faith, given that we've already begun. We've already begun conversations with the Junction Association. I'm not going to allow the question about whether it's a breach of good faith. Frank Wilkie 02:15:52.780
That's a comment. The question will be is it does it in any way contradict the Notified Motion? Kim Rawlings 02:16:02.012
No, I don't think it contradicts the Notified Motion. The issue of music and operating hours and when hours and when that can happen is already dealt with in the planning scheme you know this this is not a new issue that what these amendments seek to do is refine refine that and provide some level planning based on feedback from the industry so no I don't think it it no I don't think it contradicts that motion. I think, you know, councils can amend the planning scheme at any time they like. If there's further work done that makes changes to what's considered appropriate, balance industry, business, the association and residents needs, then changes, further changes can be made to the amendment. And what I will say again is that these changes are for new businesses. They are for new. They do not impact existing businesses. They don't, they're not retrospective. So, you know, in terms of the question, has the current business has been notified, they already have approvals. They already have liquor license. They already have operating hours. They already have, you know, these, these are not retrospective provisions. They are going forward. Frank Wilkie 02:17:22.996
So it doesn't change the operating hours for existing businesses? Kim Rawlings 02:17:27.916
No. No. If they were lawfully established and have approved operating hours. Okay. Frank Wilkie 02:17:34.816
Thank you for the clarity. All right. The other councillors wish to speak to the amendment? Tom Wegener 02:17:45.668
Here's the question. So does that really make a change? Does this amendment actually change what's being proposed in the planning scheme amendments? Let's see, in the, in the, as if, Frank Wilkie 02:18:02.340
Or who would it apply to? How, what would be the impact? Kim Rawlings 02:18:07.080
So that's two different questions. It would apply to new businesses going forward, not retrospective. What it what it seeks to do is is to provide a little bit more clarity that amplified music relates to indoor and outdoor so there's a locational aspect to it and if it if it is either indoor or if it is either indoor or outdoor, that the place is acoustically treated. So it seeks to provide that. There are still provisions in an existing scheme around acoustic and amplified music. So there's a little bit of nuance. It's not that significant. not that significant if it doesn't proceed. Is trading hours still exist? SPEAKER_02 02:19:12.636
Increase. Kim Rawlings 02:19:14.716
That stays. That's not subject to this amendment. So the trading hours are not subject to this amendment. They stay. This is only relating to 1.2, which is around amplified music. music is located on site, indoor or outdoor, beyond 9pm. It's located on site. from Sunday to Thursday. So that doesn't happen unless the site has been acoustically treated to appropriate levels. That's the provision, the only provision that's coming out. If that comes out, then the existing provision of Noosa Plan... states which says amplified music ceases to operate in outdoor spaces by 7:00pm. seven days a week, ceases to operate by 7:00pm. seven days a week, except if located in Hastings Street or in the Noosa Junction Precinct where it can operate until 9:00pm. Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 to Thursday and 10pm. Friday to Saturday. So that's what would guide the issue of Amplified Busy. So there's not a major gap, nothing's majorly lost. I don't think it's hugely significant if this doesn't. Nicola Wilson 02:20:31.412
Sorry, just a question. I think what you just read out was only about outside, so that loses our ability to... 1.3 covers that. If the current provisions in the current plan were only about outside music, then by deleting this 1.2, do we lose the ability to... No, we don't. We don't, because 1.3 introduces a definition, which doesn't exist in the current scheme, that amplified music includes music that is played inside or outside. So that would be part of the definition. So the current provisions that when it says amplified music, you would look at what amplified music means in the definition, that would say inside and outside. Brian Stockwell 02:21:17.214
Can I actually look at 14.3 again, because I don't think it does, because it says that 14.3 only relates to... Sorry, 14.3 in the Noosa Plan, it talks about amplified music, but it ceases to operate in outdoor space, so it wouldn't control indoor spaces under that provision. Frank Wilkie 02:21:43.900
You're right. Michelle, do you have a question? so 1.3 talks So 1.3 talks to amending those provisions in the plan to apply to both inside and outside the venue So it would pick it up. Kim Rawlings 02:21:59.012
It would pick it up. It would pick it up. It would amend the definition and 14.3.3 in this game. Tom Wegener 02:22:04.226
Can I speak to that? Yes, Tom. It actually appears that, Jess, what you want is to make things clearer. But this doesn't seem to be doing it because we maybe perhaps didn't realise... That it reverts back to the planning scheme that's there right now. And so that this... Am I getting this right? The new one, it's a pretty clear... This actually does... The amendment, the way it's written, does level the playing field. But if you take that out, it doesn't revert to the State for governance. It actually falls back on the already existing planning scheme. planning scheme. So it's actually a step backwards. So it's actually a step backwards. Because I know that we want to say, okay, sound belongs to the State. That's the remit. We don't need to get it there. But I don't think getting rid of one point is going to do it. I think what that means is that the old planning scheme kicks back in again. It doesn't actually achieve the think that's right. Is that right? Well, anyway, that's my interpretation of what's happening right now. Frank Wilkie 02:23:06.472
Any other councillors? Yes, councillors. Kim Rawlings 02:23:08.792
At the risk of influencing the debate... I would be comfortable if this amendment proceeded. Brian Stockwell 02:23:24.556
Doesn't seem what she was arguing. It doesn't seem. Okay, sorry. Did I get it wrong? Frank Wilkie 02:23:34.056
Councillor, do you wish to close? I will. Jessica Phillips 02:23:38.442
Put the financial report in front of me. Not so clear. This is some of my wheelhouse stuff. I'm clear on this. I'm asking for clarity for the community and for everyone around the table which is what this achieves. around the table, which is what this achieves. Thank you. I'll put the amendment. Those in favour? That's unanimous. Do we have any other amendments? Frank Wilkie 02:24:02.968
Thank you. you. Yes, Councillor Wilson. Nicola Wilson 02:24:08.174
I'd like to bring up an amendment relating to the bonus provisions. So coming back to how do we What was put forward in the advertiser amendments was optional development bonuses Brian Stockwell 02:24:31.100
In the... I think you need to move and have a seat. Oh sorry! Sorry! Nicola Wilson 02:24:39.725
Item 4 was to... I'm removing some of the recommendations in the report. So, amend the affordable rental premises definition to reduce the long-term affordable rental time to 20 years and remove bullets two to four. So, amend the affordable... So, only the top bullet point that was in the bonus provisions as advertised would remain... Frank Wilkie 02:25:07.903
So, you're not saying remove the affordable rental bonus provisions? Nicola Wilson 02:25:13.203
The recommendation at the moment says to remove them. I'm asking for them to stay. Richard MacGillivray 02:25:19.243
Thank you. Frank Wilkie 02:25:38.280
Yeah, sorry, that's not wording quite right. So there were four bullet points. I was keeping the top one and then deleting the other three. So the recommendation at the moment says it's recommended that a change be made to the proposed amendments in response to submissions 2 and then that's 4. So I wanted to keep that recommendation. I wanted to keep that recommendation in to amend the affordable rental premises and remove the bullet points. Brian Stockwell 02:26:09.512
For clarity are the bullet points actually 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 Frank Wilkie 02:26:20.800
This is about removing the incentives for product landowners to provide... Nicola Wilson 02:26:42.720
I'll second for the purpose of today. Frank Wilkie 02:26:44.860
Okay, Councillor. Councillor Wilson. Nicola Wilson 02:26:47.060
Thank you. So, the advertised amendments proposed. The definition of affordable rental premises requiring management by a registered housing provider is long-term rental for a minimum of 30 years. We're now proposing to change that to 20 years. Optional development bonuses in the medium and high density residential zone if providing 10% of the total GFA as affordable rental premises. These recommendations now say take those away, so remove the affordable rental bonus provisions except on key sites being the former Noosa Bowls Club and Noosa Business Centre. We then also We then also had optional development bonuses including an additional story in height on key sites of providing 20% of the total GFA's affordable rental premises and now they have only been limited to the major centre zone at Noosa They have now been recommended to be removed or only retained at specific sites and then there's a follow-on amendment from that consequential that the PSP 11 would be amended to reflect those changes such as the consequential. For me the boldest move in the amendments that actually went out to the public was some of these provisions. We were mandating multiple dwellings sorry where there were multiple dwellings in the medium and high density zone we were mandating at least 75% to be small dwellings and a bonus provisions And for bonus provisions to apply, at least 10% of those were affordable rental premises. So for me, that was potential for a clear increase in housing supply. But we've now dropped those mandated small dwelling provisions, even though we've changed the small dwelling definition from 75 square metres to 100 square metres, we now don't have those mandated anymore, and that would have actually increased housing supply. Interestingly, one of the reasons that that got dropped was because they wouldn't be feasible on lots of smaller 600 square metres, and so we need to get lots to be able to make that work. Also, if you were mandating small dwellings and you've got a house and two units on a block, then 75% of the dwellings would have been small dwellings because you've got a house, so the combination of some of the amendments have sort of meant that we lose some of the really good provisions that were in there to try and encourage small dwellings and more units. I know that we also looked at the impact of NRAS on the ability for some of those developments to be affordable rental premises because they wouldn't be subsidised by the government. That doesn't mean that the current government or future governments won't come up with alternate schemes that may make that actually achievable so what since they were only opting provisions I don't really understand the... really understand why we would put those away, because we may get a developer in sites other than those ones that have been specified that can make it work financially, so why would we not give them that option? Amelia Lorentson 02:30:31.604
Question to staff, why have the affordable rental bonus provisions been removed from areas like the major Like the major zones at Noosa Junction and Doonella Street? They haven't. Oh, they haven't? No. Brian Stockwell 02:30:49.866
No, such a good question. Excuse me. Can you explain more fully the rationale behind the recommended change? rationale behind the recommended changes, one was alluded to in terms of feasibility, but there is a broader rationale. Could you explain that so we understand? Richard MacGillivray 02:31:12.431
Through the Chair, the rationale behind having the VAR incentivised, so with the current scheme, provisions incentivise small dwellings and they were very successfully integrated through this plan 2020. But they weren't necessarily affordable. So then we took the bonus provisions and put them for affordable rental premises as an incentive. And that was to, and went through a whole process just to define it. There was funding that was needed for that to be feasible, and a whole other range of provisions as well to make those provisions work. When we did feasibility, which was the direct was, the Director Rawlings mentioned previously, that we did just a recent feasibility. It came back because of changes since 2020 with, you know, construction, etc, etc. They, and there was no funding available, then they became unviable for development to go forward. The motion here is saying to retain those provisions, there would be consequential changes to needing some sort of incentive because just generally most developers wouldn't come just on the back and then lose money over time because of that development. Part of that is that there's no funding available currently, which is called recurrent funding, so over a period of time the developer would need to have a return and they couldn't get that return unless they were working on far less margin and that's what that feasibility came and discussed. With the motion the This one before us? Yes, motion before us. Yes, this amendment. Nicola's amendment. Yes. Sorry. The consequence of that is it's probably unlikely to be taken up by developers. On one hand, it's not feasible, and on the second hand... And on the second hand there that it would be sitting in as a, not as a waste, but as a superfluous type of provision, particularly when it's unlikely to be taken up because of feasibility. SPEAKER_01 02:34:16.228
I might just add on to that, so the current provision which are, as Glenn said, are opt-in provisions for small dwellings, which give a small gross floor area bonus and site cover bonus. Since the amendments were we didn't have the benefit of seeing a lot of the developments coming through and picking up those provisions. So over the last two to three years, they've been very successful. We've got quite a few developments quite a few developments on Inquick Road that have taken up those provisions and we've seen small dwellings being developed, not necessarily affordable but providing a range of dwelling sizes, you know anything from 70 odd square metres up to 100 square metres. The proposed amendment sought to take those bonus provisions and require that you could only get those bonus provisions if you delivered 10% affordable housing and 75% of the total gross for area was small dwellings. So that was a mandate. The provisions also The provisions also mandated small dwellings for 75% of the gross floor area regardless of getting any bonus provisions. So we got feedback through the submissions that questioned the feasibility of that. We took that and tested that further and got some specialist advice on that and I guess since they were originally drawn up three years ago a lot of things have changed which we talked about construction costs, holding costs, lending costs, the market had changed and they weren't identified as being necessarily feasible anymore. But what we had seen was that the opt-in and there were questions around mandating the small dwellings and whether that would be feasible as in requiring As in requiring developers to deliver no more than 75 square metre dwellings across 75% of the gross floor area. So we further tested that. It came back and said well look, particularly on the smaller lots, that probably isn't going to work under the current market conditions. Better off looking at an opt-in provision, which is currently working right now. And that's why we've recommended we go back there. We're not going to mandate it. And we've also looked small dwelling size increasing back to 100 square metres as well. That provides a greater diversity of smaller dwelling sizes. So it goes from anything from a studio, but bedroom dwelling. So it provides a greater diversity and range of housing types. And it's considered that the current incentives are working and we should learn from them. Housing affordability in terms of where under the definition of affordable rental premises, where that is viable, it's on the larger scale sites. And that's why we kind of focus those into town centres where you can and how to make sites. And the bigger sites such as the former Noosa Bolts Club and the Shire Business Centre where the scale makes it more likely to be a feasible outcome for a developer to get a return on the 20% requirement. They're more likely to access funding, so infrastructure funding, as well as other schemes in the future. So we didn't say they've been particularly feasible on the smaller sites and the medium and high density zones, which are largely smaller sites. The only thing I would add to that is there's no reason no reason that anyone who may want to deliver affordable housing on the medium density and high density can opt in and use the opt-in provisions. that any... If there's new funding regimes that come through, the government, new funding programs... that could happen in the next couple of years that subsidise... I mean, the current government are talking about a subsidy for infrastructure, you know, that may subsidise a portion of development, that may make these incentives feasible. There's no reason why we still couldn't get affordable housing outcomes under the bonus provisions in the meeting to see if I can see it. Kim Rawlings 02:38:29.359
There's no reason why it Incentives feasible. Nicola Wilson 02:38:38.294
Yeah, just for clarity, I apologise actually, I misread that. One of the bullets is being removed on a separate But I still would like a bit more clarity on the one that says remove the affordable rental bonus provisions from the medium and high density residential zones, except on the key sites being the former Noosa Bowls Club site and Noosa Business If, I'm kind of confused because we don't generally consider whether a development application is actually viable or not for the development, so it seems like we're pre-empting that in saying, well, it would never be affordable, therefore we should take away the option. So, is that what this is doing? So, is that what this is? Or could, if someone did own land in the medium density residential zone and they believed they could fund a project for affordable rental properties, does this remove those bonus provisions for them? Kim Rawlings 02:39:41.748
So, a couple of things here. When we say remove those provisions, what we're saying is remove the provisions that were advertised which were mandating the requirement for a proportion of dwellings in medium density and high density to which, if you want to get the bonuses, you have to deliver affordable housing. That statement removed says remove the mandating. We're not going to mandate any more, but what we are going to do is provide incentives. If you provide small dwellings, you can get more potentially, more GFA, which often results in more. We've got numbers of incentives and more. Nothing in it stops that being affordable and accessing future funding from government. It just doesn't mandate it. And you're absolutely right about feasibility and economic assessment, but we had lots of questioning feasibility, and we've had numbers of councils questioning feasibility. So that's why we stepped into that space, to answer those questions and respond to it. But you're right, from a planning perspective, it is not something that is considered. Frank Wilkie 02:41:06.580
Yes, on that basis I wouldn't be supporting the amendment but it may be that we do do a future amendment to actually play with the words of 7.2 to make it clear towards all. I think I just spoke twice to the motion. Amelia Lorentson 02:41:23.650
I'll speak to the motion. I won't support it. It's probably one of the many amendments that I really support when we talk about appropriate development in appropriate location and incentivise incentivising developers to provide and actually be part of the housing solution. This is it. This is where we are actually going to see some yield and again in appropriate locations. So I won't be supporting this. Frank Wilkie 02:41:57.760
Any other councillors wish to speak to the amendment before... I want to speak in just thanking Councillor Wilson for actually putting the effort into... It's really what I'm trying to highlight is obviously the new councillors that people like to refer to us have just gone along with the ride and we've put in a lot of empathy. We've put in a lot of effort and time into this so that is probably what I'm going to acknowledge right now and the ones that came through in season four. Nicola Wilson 02:42:39.180
I will close because I'm acknowledging that I actually made an error in the motion in the first place so therefore I can't support it myself because I want to retain people and more mental health provisions. I'm just to clarify as well, I am seeking to maximise yield and I was concerned about bonus provisions being taken away. So I apologise for the bad reading last night. was concerned about options being removed that may help actually being able to generate affordable housing. But because it's partly worded and I don't know whether my question is answered, I think that very well. you. But I further understand this myself, then I will sort it against it. Frank Wilkie 02:43:24.316
Thank you, Councillor Wilson. Those in favour of the amendment? Those against? Brian Stockwell 02:43:33.276
Just for clarity, I suggest an amendment that makes a minor change to item 7.2 in the table to remove mandatory elements of affordable rental premise bonus provisions from the Mayhew removed and High Density Residential Zones and Business Centre. Frank Wilkie 02:44:12.840
Subtitles is that what you're saying? Yeah. Brian Stockwell 02:44:23.900
Oh, just mandatory elements. Yeah, it removes the mandatory elements. So that became the opt-in. Frank Wilkie 02:44:44.500
So does that mean... That will be mandatory on key sites in the form of old stuff in this business. Brian Stockwell 02:44:55.640
Yeah, it doesn't affect 7.3, which is the next one. I believe that's what it reflects the intent that I just heard but I'm seeing my questioning that. Kim Rawlings 02:45:12.160
Well, of course we're considering it. I'm not questioning it because you know when you throw words in and sorry words in. And sorry, Councillor Stockwell, I didn't mean to interfere. When we introduce words, you know, they could be consequential considerations. So I'm just weighing out whether or not it's necessary. When the intent of how it's drafted is that we remove the provisions requiring the specific boardroom and premises provisions, I'm not convinced it's needed. I know you're trying to just make it a bit clearer, only because we just haven't had full time to consider if there are consequential, there could be other mandatory provisions relating to size of dwellings and things like that, so. Oh, okay, I see what you mean, yes. Brian Stockwell 02:46:06.220
I'd better vote against because then it's already been moved into. Frank Wilkie 02:46:10.470
Any councillors wish to speak to the amendment that Councillor Stockwell just proposed? Any councillors wish to speak? Brian Stockwell 02:46:16.590
No. I just don't believe what I just said before. Frank Wilkie 02:46:21.050
Alright then, those in favour of the amendment, those against? Those against? Lost unanimously. Do we have any amendments that have been drafted prior to the meeting, considered amendments, that we could test? Amelia Lorentson 02:46:35.085
I'd love to test this one please, to retain car parks in... That council endorsed recommendation C with the exception of the proposed changes in response to public submissions identified as 3 in attachment 2 and include the following: remove Fort Albert Street, Noosaville Council car park from the high-density residential zone and the site remain in the tourist accommodation. I'll speak to it. Car parks. Something that we've been hearing probably for the whole term of this council. The importance of the value that our residents place on car parks. Starting 2024 the Noosaville foreshore management plan. We proposed then removing 103 car spaces and what we saw as a result was a public outcry. There were protests rallies, petitions, deputations, community meetings, emails and numerous, numerous conversations in community about car spaces. At the moment we've got the draft plan which scaled back and its plan has been scaled back to remove the spaces but the community still is strongly opposing the removal of even a few car parks. It's clear and that the community is sending us a really loud and urgent message that our community really values its car parks. I've gone to Albert Street and I've actually met the residents who live adjoining the car park and I'm unsure if anyone else around this table has. I've gone there at two o 'clock in the afternoon, midweek outside school period. You can't find parking. It's an opening and you've got trailers parking on the street and there's a monster overflow. There's people parking on verges and footpaths. So that particular car park also accommodates car parking trailers. Early this year I moved a notified motion which highlighted the critical shortage that we've got in boat trailer parking. And the numbers are, just to remind everyone, we've got 36 spaces for boat trailer parking available for over 4,900 registered boat trailers in Noosa. So even if we just reduce the two that are available at the moment Albert Street, we're going to worsen that shortage and further clog our neighbourhoods with cars and trailers. I think what I'm asking is that before we consider removing any car parks, let's make sure that we have sustainable alternatives in place first. And that includes, you know, in terms of boat that includes, you know, in terms of boat trailer parking, upgrading facilities like the Doonella Street boat ramp, improving public transport with more frequent buses. Brian Stockwell 02:50:10.657
Point of order. We're dealing with a amendment that relates to changing the zone, but we're having a discussion on car parking. It's totally irrelevant. Frank Wilkie 02:50:19.737
I disagree. The issue of car parking is pretty central to this discussion because that site is used as a car park and it's being raised as an issue in that location. So any discussion regarding car parking in that location and... The capacity of this particular lot to contribute to that is central to this motion, so I'm going to go out. Brian Stockwell 02:50:56.295
Parking implications of whether it's a high-density residential zone or a tourist accommodation zone are no different, so the amendment makes no difference to the... Yes, I would like to stop there. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 02:51:11.817
I might start all over again because I find point of orders disrupts the flow of argument, so I would like to start all over again with the Chair. Frank Wilkie 02:51:21.517
This is going to be Councillor Lorentson and Couture. Couture, please sit down. Excuse me. Points of order are part of standing orders and part of the natural flow of any debate or discussion. So we've heard you for what you said today, so please continue from where you left off. Amelia Lorentson 02:51:40.807
Thank you, Chief. Frank Wilkie 02:51:40.932
Sure. Amelia Lorentson 02:51:42.587
So removing car parks like those up for Albert Street is going to only exacerbate an already important issue, the shortage of parking in Noosa. Without these spaces, more cars trailers are going to be pushed out onto already crowded streets, placing added strain on residential areas. Again, this is not sustainable. Residential streets can't absorb the overflow of parking in an unregulated way. Again, before considering removing car parks, let's make sure that we have sustainable alternatives in place. Upgrading facilities like the Doonella Street boat ramp, improving public transport with more frequent buses and and express priority bus lanes. Activating waterway transport, the new jetty in Noosa Woods. We also need to prioritise providing car parking infrastructure in strategic locations and it's also time that we we think beyond just building upwards and start considering the possibility of underground parking. Removing car parks before solutions are implemented is only going to shift our parking problem onto our streets and making the situation worse for our residents and visitors. My other argument in terms of retaining car park at Albert Street is not only about respecting community wishes and the very many submissions on the value of car park but it's also to allow our workers, our essential workers, our Noosa's that work night shifts, our hospitality workers that work night shifts who rely on their cars because our public transport system don't meet their needs. This is a busy tourist area. This is where our restaurants are, our small businesses are, so again removing the car parks is critical not only for our residents who value their car parks but also for our workers and boaties in this busy tourist area and for our visitors. And for our visitors who help our local families pay the bills. So I ask that we put this one maybe on hold and revisit it when we consider further amendments. And maybe understand or maybe give some consideration into if we densify our urban areas, let's start actively looking at alternate transport. at alternate transport solutions first. Jessica Phillips 02:54:28.887
And I'm going to make it really clear about some stations we've all had around connectivity and cycleways. So in particular, families that want to cycle into Hastings Street to avoid the traffic usually come out from... usually come out from Tewantin and Nooseville into land and they park where they can flat cycle into busy parks. Taking away car parking when we haven't even connected, we've already identified gaps in our cycleways, we can't take away car parks until we've got connected the town so that we can reduce traffic. I'm not saying this isn't something to revisit down the track, but right now we just don't have the cycleways to support removing any car parks at the moment, I am down the river daily with family, there's not enough car parks as it is. We want to encourage... We want to encourage families that could only afford a house out in Tewantin, and want to drive into Hastings Street so they don't drive, we want to encourage them to park closer and drive in, and if we take away car parks, they're just going to sit in going to sit in their car and create all traffic conditions. It makes no sense to me. I hope the rest of the councillors can see that it's not the right time to be removing car parks. Frank Wilkie 02:55:54.595
Just a clarification, is there any talk about removing car parks from this site? Kim Rawlings 02:56:01.722
Thank you for that question, Councillor Wilkie. No, it does not. Nowhere does any planning scheme amendment talk about removing car parks. This is simply a change in zoning. As part of the strategic review of Tourist Accommodation Zone, this site is currently zoned Tourist Accommodation. Looking at it, is that considered an appropriate zone for this site? No, we don't believe it is. It sits within a residential area. We believe it's better to be... believe it's better to be more appropriately zoned for residential, as a residential zone. Nowhere, anywhere is it suggested that this car park will be removed. Nicola Wilson 02:56:40.556
Can I just ask a question, Kim? Jessica Phillips 02:56:42.816
4 Albert Street, can we bring it up on the map, please? If it did go to higher residential on that lot there, which is 4 Albert Street... Does that include higher residential provisions for public car parking, or will that have a provision in high density for the residential car parking that is associated with what will go on that site? Kim Rawlings 02:57:08.389
Firstly, it's council-owned property, so it's up to council what the council will do with that property going forward. As you know, in the housing strategy, sorry, may not, but in the housing strategy, there's a recommendation to look at council-owned properties for housing outcomes, which we have been progressively doing, including looking at council-owned car parks, such as the Donal Street car park. If, early investigations, which we haven't done a lot to advance Amelia Lorentson 02:58:05.629
So to clarify when we talk about volumetric leasing I think is the term so building above a car space is is that what you're referencing as a potential option with this amendment with the proposed amendment? Kim Rawlings 02:58:24.848
No, what I'm saying is this proposed amendment proposed amendment a piece of land picked up as part of the tourist accommodation zone review is that the most appropriate zone for it given what's happening around it and the issues we're trying to resolve no we don't think it is it should be changed to high density residential zone okay so separate issue then I reference that as part of the housing strategy council has an action to look at council owned land and potentially look at public car parks need to be retained, and if there was development to happen above. would then need to deliver the car parking requirements for the housing. There's no proposal to do that here at this stage. I don't know what future councils might do. Amelia Lorentson 02:59:18.015
So can I request help in... I request help in the wording to give community assurance that that car park will be retained even with the change in zoning? Can you help me with some wording that can assure retention of that car park? Happy for this one to fail and move another one. Frank Wilkie 02:59:41.272
Can propose another adjournment at some stage in the near future. Apologies, thank you. We can test other amendments in the meantime. Before we have a break, perhaps that can... That's a great idea, thank you very much. Shall we move this one first? Oh well, just, Councillor has requested a comfort break now, so perhaps this one can fail. I'm happy for this one to fall and revisit different wording, thank you. So we'll put the amendment, those in favour? Against? It's lost unanimously. the consent of the meeting we'll adjourn for another 15 minutes? 10 minutes. Welcome back everybody. We've just had an amendment... an amendment voted upon and it was lost. We have a new amendment. Amelia Lorentson 03:00:42.892
I'd like to move an amendment. That item 4 be added under item C. 4 include an item 3 additional item 3.12. Proceed with the proposed high density residential zone over 4 Albert Street, Noosaville Council owned car park while noting its... current important role in the provision of public car parking. I'll second that. Just to prove I was here. So basically this just reflects the discussion we've just had in terms of car parking and also the intent of just provide some clarity around intent of, just provide some clarity around the intent of the provision, which is not to remove the car parking space. And I think the wording acknowledges the discussion we've just had. Frank Wilkie 03:01:39.662
Other councillors wish to speak to this amendment? Wish to close Councillor Lorentson? No. We'll put the amendment to vote. Those in favour? That is unanimous. Are there any more amendments that people would like to test? Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 03:01:55.008
No, just some questions if we can just continue a couple of questions. Yep. Thank you. Just in terms of short-term accommodation, in terms of superseded planning scheme applications, in 2020 when the amendments were endorsed, can I ask staff how many superseded planning scheme applications for short-term accommodations were lodged Kim Rawlings 03:02:31.580
Yes, you can, if you just bear with me a moment. Just to... that I can get those numbers up. From recollection, it's about 200 and... it was about 250 applications Amelia Lorentson 03:02:49.304
So... So it's single dwellings, and I think that was single dwellings, is that correct? No. And in terms of units, how many units were lodged? Were lodged after the 2020 amendments and endorsed for short-term accommodation existing use rights. SPEAKER_01 03:03:28.546
Sorry, do you have those figures? I'd have to have a look at the short-term accommodation monitoring report which did identify what those figures are, so if you bear with me I can have a look and get back to you. Frank Wilkie 03:03:42.144
We would be fair to say that the difference between the changes made for the MDR and HDR as opposed to the changes made for STA and LDR is that in the MDR and HDR, Council is already refusing applications... STA and HDR and HDR, there is likely to be far fewer, if any, applications approved under the superseded financing for STA and those applications. SPEAKER_01 03:04:10.264
I'd say that's correct and there is no advantage really because they would have to be assessed under the current provisions which is in fact accessible anyway. So if they haven't come forward now, I can't see them suddenly making a rush in that 12 months because it's already in fact accessible. Frank Wilkie 03:04:31.080
That brings us back to the original motion which has been amended. been amended several times to which only myself has spoken to. Councillors wish to move further amendments or speak to the original motion. With the amended motion, which is now an Tom Wegener 03:05:02.380
Director Kim Rawlings spoke about the evolution of the planning scheme through the eyes of the staff, and it just shows the enormous, ridiculously enormous amount of work that staff went through to That staff went through to bring this to us. I'm just going to talk to everybody out there in TV land and to the councilors about the journey that we've gone on, from my perspective, of the history of Noosa. Four years ago, Claire Stewart, the previous mayor, made a motion declaring a housing emergency in Noosa and she was supported unanimously by the councilors. Staff was asked to remedy, to find ways to remedy the situation of housing crisis. Soon after, council investigated whether Airbnb or STAs were displacing our long-term rental market. Council prepared prepared two reports showing a link between the housing crisis and the rise of Airbnb. This is back in 2021. Council began to kerb Airbnb approvals and it began the process of creating local laws to regulate them. But back to the issue of the housing crisis. But back to the issue heritage. Council embarked on two huge pieces of work: the Comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis and the Noosa Housing Strategy 2022, which set the vision for the future housing in Noosa. In the public consultation, there was overwhelming support for Noosa Council to take a role in creating affordable housing. Councillors were a part of this evolution and unanimously supported the strategy. And this is the strategy, and we all went through Line by line, and it says right up front at the front, Noosa Council is committed to planning scheme amendments and policy development that support real change and outcomes for a genuine, social, affordable, inclusive housing. So for a long time, we've been, this has been on the radar. I've found the key elements of the housing strategy to include stopping the spread of Airbnb in the hinterland and to keep short-term accommodation in the tourist zones, not in the residential zones. Mandate that new development in medium and high density zone include units, not single homes. Review the tourist zones to consider if some may be more appropriate as high density zones. This helps create more permanent housing versus tourist accommodation. In adding, some incentives And adding some incentives to developers to include 20% social or affordable housing in large developments. The clear vision was more housing for residents and more housing in the best locations in Noosa, like along the foreshore. But the best places in Noosa should not all be for tourists. That was the goal. These elements were then made into the planning scheme amendments, which would give them force or effect. And here's the planning scheme amendments so that the staff, this is what Kim was talking about, the amount of effort that goes into the various planning scheme amendments that bring force to our strategy. The staff at each of The staff, Anita, Rowena, Glenn, Michelle, and Kim put an enormous effort into this planning scheme amendments and the mayor and councillors were again broad on the journey with plenty of opportunity for input. Finally, the amendments were endorsed by council and sent to the State for sign-off in February 2020.2023. And we waited and we waited. But in the meantime, we put it in the corporate plan. So again, it seemed like the nth amount of time we were discussing social housing and the livability section of our corporate plan. Number one, the number one signature project: deliver the Noosa housing strategy. And 2.1: facilitate greater housing choice, which means the changing needs of the community, improves livability and affordability, and includes partnering to increase provisions of social housing and affordable housing. So in the corporate plan, we again went through all the amendments, we knew what we were doing, there was no surprises, and the corporate plan was finalised, it was unanimously accepted. Finally, a year later, the State signed off on the planning scheme amendments, and they could finally go out to public consultation. Noosa residents are very engaged with local issues, and there were many hundreds of submissions and feedback. Staff had enormous tasks sorting out and evolving the planning scheme amendments to respond to the needs and the wants of the community. And of course, we were a member of Green Sheets. Like this, again, lots of organisation, we know what's going on, we've read the sheets, so on and so forth. And so we're, we're all aware of that. And these were great, these were absolutely fantastic pieces to help the community understand what we were doing. In the meantime, the State also recognised the housing crisis and began investing we began investigating how we could remedy the situation. One thing the Labour government could do is cut red tape that local councils use to stop development. Hence, the State Facilitated Development, or SFD, came about in Noosa. Noosa was soon facing the risk of high-rise development. Then we got an absolute reprieve when the Labour government lost the election and the LNP said it would not impose the SFD upon Noosa and would only support development within the planning scheme. So we dodged a major bullet there. However, the new government clearly supports population protection for growth and supports increased housing in Noosa. So I'm not utterly believed that we're out of the woods yet. So here we are today contemplating the vote on these planning amendments. The way I see it, there's three possible outcomes in general. First and best, we pass these amendments and prove Noosa is doing its job in supporting our own housing objectives and the State will leave us alone. This is the path we're looking for because as we've known, the whole time we were doing this, the State was looking at what we were doing and we were actually working in conjunction with, we were ahead of the states with our amendments. And so that was fantastic. The second option we can do is not pass the amendments and hope the State does not impose FDS-like measures which override our planning scheme. The second option, fantastic. And that could happen, you never know. The third is the worst scenario, and the State comes in with new SD, FSD-type scenarios overriding our planning scheme, and we face very unusual-like development. So what is going to happen? I believe our strategy that we've held all along as councillors, as staff, with our planning scheme amendments, that are the strategy of passing these amendments, doing what we can, pulling our weight, knowing the The whole time that the day would come when we were going to look at people and say, you're going to perceive that you're going to lose some of your rights. We knew that was going to happen. We've known it for years. But it's the right thing to do. It's what we have to do. And it's the best way to maintain Noosa the way we all love it. So please support the 92nd Amendment. Brian Stockwell 03:12:49.140
It is an amendment largely driven by the housing strategy and the conditions imposed on council in the adoption of the 2020 plan. It was mentioned that the housing strategy emanated from a notice of motion but my recollection was actually Karen, Councillor Finzel in the adoption of the 2020 plan actually added a clause to identify the housing A clause to identify the housing crisis and it's important to understand that while affordable and social housing is part of the mix these amendments go broadly across the spectrum of housing to create opportunities for increased supply across the spectrum and we've heard today how different councils today how different councillors represent different demographics and lived experiences and I flipped into that 2024 homelessness report and found a demographic that I'm part of and that is that there has been an increased spike of people over the age of 65 experiencing homelessness. Up to 30% in some regions and we know in our Shire that single women over 50 are one of the fastest-growing demographics in need of housing. Really, a significant growth. But that's really not what I'm voting for today. The demographic I'm voting for today is people like me who've got kids who historically would have been the first home buyers. When I moved here in '81, I saved for two or three years. I had enough to buy a seven-acre block of land 15 minutes up the hill, and for the cost of two to three median wages at the time, I had seven acres plus a solar power house, and you could pay that off. My son's that age would cost him, if he could find a block of land, 20 to 30 times the median wage. The prospects for our young people entering the housing market. In Noosa Shire, they are the people who will historically have bought first homes, will be buying first units, and that's what a lot of these recommendations are about. That the pathway into the housing market is different from all of us when we enter the market. And a lot of the people submitting to planning schemes are people who are in the housing market, not those trying to get into it or those calling off it. And that's what I think about a lot. Is how do we make this scheme improve the lot of future homeowners and future renters for the life of this scheme. As we said, we're looking at things that will take five, ten years to It's also important to note that we have taken some hard decisions. We've talked about one and we talked about the importance of height and when we had that SEQ regional plan and the four to eight storey graphic going up there, it really generated some raw emotion and what we did through raw emotion and what we did through this advertising period is show how in a few locations and it probably would be less than a handful of sites in the junction that a sensibly designed four-story building could maintain the Noosa look and feel, could provide a type of housing that's in demand and will not I suppose offend the principle that you know Noosa buildings don't And I suppose we've had a lot of talk about economic implications and have we done enough of that economic modelling. What I find a lot of people asking for that economic modelling really just want development economics or development finance. Is it feasible? The economics behind plans are far more complex, far more big picture. It's about resource economics. And if we looked at the of the current housing crisis, we know, for example, that overall government expenditure on homelessness has increased 31% in four years leading to 2020-23. We know that direct expenditure on homelessness is not the only cost. There's costs in housing, there's costs in law enforcement, there's costs in the welfare organisation. So I mentioned last week again, one of the biggest employers saying housing for our staff is one of the biggest issues trying to retain them. So I mentioned last week again, one organisations. I've talked to a couple of welfare organisations since the last meeting and housing is their number one issue that they deal with day in day out trying to support people. If we don't focus our planning effort on a community in the future, that is community in the future, that is somewhere where people can live, whether you're a hospitality worker having a part-time job or whether you're an executive who wants to live reasonably close to your place of employment, then we're probably we're probably not doing our job properly and I acknowledge that we've had to make some hard decisions. The last one that hasn't had much airing is there has been some suggestion that we're going against the principles of the population cap. Can I say the principles of the population cap is about a sustainable carrying capacity. When they first reviewed it, and it was probably Rowena who did it, when they first I think went from 59 to 63 there was a table produced about what the future populations of all the eastern beaches, suburbs were. And I looked at that data and we're still, a few years ago, we were still nowhere near what was projected for 2009 because our population growth rate has gone down and the number of people per house has gone down. So that gives us the ability to work within the envisaged sustainable caring capacity. But creating the houses where people don't necessarily have to have the two-car family, but people who want to save, you know, you can save $180,000 in 11 years off your mortgage if you want to buy a unit without a car park. unit without a car park. So these are all the things that we have to think about. We have to retain the values of Noosa, at the same time adjust our planning settings to reflect the real world as it is today and I think where we've up is a good mix. Nicola Wilson 03:19:32.420
Priorities. In our term I talked about housing. So I'm not going to stand in the way of anything that will help to produce more housing. What we're facing here today is we're voting on a package and that has a number of recommendations. The short version of that is three pages of A3 with multiple recommendations and I do support most of those. I've made pleas about how to support houses being in consistent use in the medium density zone and I will continue on that path. the journey that we've just gone through to be able to distill that down to just a few recommendations or one recommendation that I'm very much against is that we've had the existing planning scheme, the planning scheme amendments that were published, pages and pages that were published, pages and pages of submissions, and that's distilled down to a few pages of recommendations, so I do want to say thank you to the team for all of your work in going through all that journey, and for all your patience this last week or so with all of our questions. that I really wanted more time to go through all of this is because we do have an existing plan scheme, an amended plan scheme draft, and all of those submissions and all the recommendations, and you can see today from some of the motions we've put through, those recommendations we've put through, those recommendations form a set of instructions that will be flowed through various sections of the Noosa Plan, we didn't necessarily get section numbers of where they would relate, so it's referencing back between all of those documents has been quite challenging. foundations. me to then go how will that actually look once implemented, so that's been some of the useful additional time to be able to do that, but obviously still not completely successfully on that last motion, but it is a package. And as I said I do agree with most of the recommendations and appreciate all of the work that everyone has done to try and achieve more housing outcomes, we stated that part of the reason for these amendments is for the provision of long-term security of housing supply for residents and that's ultimately what we need to aim for. To aim for, as well as that other strategic outcome that I mentioned earlier, residential amenity and safety, sense of community and belonging must be maintained so I just always want to be mindful of that sense of community in all of our decisions but this is a continuous process and I'm glad that we will continue to have more input into this in the coming years. Frank Wilkie 03:21:58.074
Thank you Councillor Wilson. Jessica Phillips 03:22:05.440
Okay, firstly, I would like to thank Kim for the many hours and calls and emails over the last week especially. So I have walked in here with, you know, and even just through the question and hearing every single councillor and listening to the debate has been very informative. So I'm really sitting comfortable. I want to talk about my Noosa. My Noosa is a Noosa that reflects the character and the lifestyle and the environment that we all love. A place where thoughtful planning preserves what makes Noosa unique while ensuring our community continues to thrive. I lived here before Noosa was cool, before anyone could #NoosaBerryPools and it didn't then and nor does it still in my mind include high density living in areas where it fundamentally changes what we love about this place I'll say it again but I'm standing here as Jess, which everyone around the room will now know is the same Jess that you're going to see every day here. The same Jess the community meets for coffee, at the shops, maybe some of the parents on Noosa will drop off depending on how the kids have got ready for school, but I'm unapologetically authentic and someone who leaves with my heart, a my heart. I trust my very high moral compass. And I believe in doing what's right, even when it's hard. I really noted that as an ex-first responder for 15 years, I deeply understand. the very real housing need in our community. I was a police negotiator for a decade, and I've seen faces of our community struggling. I've seen Noosa at 3am, driving around a.m. driving around or returning from a fatality back to the station to start a coronial report so I have seen the struggles of the families at first hand and I carry that empathy into chamber and every day with me so housing is not just a goal it's a necessity it's about providing stability opportunity for the people who make Noosa the vibrant diverse and beautiful place we all cherish. Over this past week I've worked in close more closely with Kim Rawlings to ask some pretty tough questions tough questions, reflected on the concerns posted by our community, or on Facebook, posed by our community, searching for answers to the ones that have kept me up most nights. I sought clarity, perspective, and solutions because Deeply personal because they represent the dreams, the futures and stability for families who, like me, call Noosa home. We need housing. Let me be unequivocal in my support for that goal. support the incredible work that's going into these amendments. I support the intention behind every hour that workers, that the staff have worked on and their commitment behind it. And I support the acknowledgement of our community's needs. But what I can't support is achieving these goals by taking away fundamental rights. But what I can't support is... But I've also reflected deeply this week about what I stand for. I'm just someone with a much higher EQ than an IQ, someone who knows my strengths and understands where I need to grow. But one thing I do not need to work on is trusting my moral compass and that compass tells me. We cannot ask people to sacrifice their rights, their dreams and their futures without exhausting every single avenue and I just don't believe these amendments are going to achieve the outcomes that we so desperately want to see. I want to find another way. I support the work, the goal, and the need. But today, as they stand, my integrity demands that I listen to my heart, my head, and my community. And today, I'm making a very informed decision to choose the principles that have guided me to this point: empathy, fairness, and a trust. Amelia Lorentson 03:27:02.520
So I want to begin by acknowledging and thanking the staff for the enormous amount of work and effort that's gone into the plan. The strategies proposed aim to address critical issues and there is clear intent to provide solutions to this growing crisis. These efforts are really appreciated and many of the elements of the package have my total support and genuine merit. However, what we have been asked to prove today is not just a set of amendments, it's an entire package that will fundamentally shape Noosa future. It's a decision, in my opinion, with profound and far-reaching consequences that once made cannot easily be undone. So I can't support the package in its entirety. As councillors, our responsibility is to ensure that every decision we make is based on a clear understanding of its implications. I do not have that clarity here. The proposal extends beyond Towson. It potentially threatens to compromise the very character and values that make Noosa special. The risks to me are too great and what we're gambling me are too great and what we're gambling with is our identity, our lifestyle and our economic foundation. What do these changes mean for our small businesses, the mums, dads and young When we move tourism zoning into medium and high density residential zoning, what safeguards are in place to protect the jobs and businesses that depend on those areas? Without answers to these fundamental questions I believe we're moving forward blind. Community support is the cornerstone of any successful initiative and I'm unsure if this plan has secured that. Residents have repeatedly asked tough valid questions and I'm taking this straight out of the submission. Why is the responsibility fixing the housing crisis falling on them? Why should their property rights and democratic rights be sacrificed? And why aren't we focusing on areas like Noosa Civic or TAFE where infrastructure already exists and increased density could make sense? Despite extensive consultation, when I go out into community, the feedback from the community is constant. but we gave it to you and you haven't listened. They say you ask for The amendments in this package have left the community divided. It's left them confused and distrustful. And without community support, my belief is this plan may not achieve what it's set out to achieve. back to past experiences. In 2020, by a majority of five councillors, affordable housing located in medium density zones, a critical resource for our essential workers was rezoned into exclusive hotel zones with the stroke of a pen. This decision made it impossible for many essential workers to afford or rent near their workplaces. Similarly, our rural zone, rezoned again in 2020, is now allowing a 150 person wedding venue in a small quiet rural area. These decisions made without adequate foresight have had lasting consequences. So my question is, what other unintended consequences are we overlooking now? There are alternatives worth exploring. This is not it. We still are moving amendments and we're still seeking other options for housing The decision that we're going to have in front of us today is something that we need to live with and we need to sleep well at night. Again, once the changes are made, they can't easily be reversed. We need to be able to sleep at night knowing that we made the right decision for our community. Again, there is no mandated time frame. there is no mandated time frame or specific time frame to complete these amendments and provide housing solutions. What we're asked today is not just about meeting housing targets. The decision we're asked to be made today is about making informed, thoughtful decisions that respect our community, protect their rights, and preserve the lifestyle that makes Noosa such a special place. special place. I stand here today with the people that oppose the amendments. I stand here today with those who were not consulted. I stand here today with the people who have no idea that these changes are even being made that impact their rights. I stand with small businesses who don't understand the economic implications of these decisions. Again, I support very many parts of these amendments but again the decision we've been asked today is to support the package in its entirety. I cannot in good conscience support this package in its entirety. Frank Wilkie 03:32:36.240
Sometimes the role of the councillor is to look beyond your own particular narrow focus. The role of the councillor is to look at the entirety of the package. A vote against this package is a vote against the further restrictions on short-term accommodation in the medium density high density, rural residential and rural zones. We all know when we endorsed the housing strategy that we knew this action was going to be part of the part of the planning scheme amendments. We unanimously endorsed it. To suddenly vote against it at the final hour, that's the final test of whether councillors mean what they say and say what they mean. We cannot at this eleventh hour suddenly reverse our decision to support amendments that would further restrict short term accommodation in all our remaining residential zones. There are other aspects of this amendment package. We listened very carefully to the feedback from very upset Tewantin residents who were seeing sheds the size of seeing sheds virtually the size of a two-storey house appear at their site boundary. This planning scheme amendment, which all councillors would have seen if they read the clear material, clearly presented material, which had been available for the best part of the year, we know that those sheds will only be up a maximum of 3.6 metres now in And allow these two-storey sheds to be appearing, continue to appear in backyards, blocking people's views and destroying amenity. You cannot vote we know very well that there's an amendment to those zones. And as part of the Tewantin Noosa Sporting Complex to allow an integrated health hub. A narrow focus to vote against this package would be a vote against this significant Teresa advancement to improve the services that could be provided to every member who enjoyed the Tewantin Noosa Sports Complex. And that's a lot of young people, that's a lot of families in our heartland. A vote against these amendments at this moment would be a vote against providing a greater range a vote against providing a greater range of housing choice in a national housing crisis. It would be a vote against the commitment we made when we endorsed the housing strategy. This was one of the clear actions which was to make sure that the medium density and high density residential zones function. As they should to suddenly turn their back turn our backs on that at this 11th hour. I don't understand how anyone could have any confidence in what we say or do. To have a narrow focus at this narrow point of time in such a vast amendment package would be to ignore the very real threat that has been spelled out as part of this SEQ regional planning process, that if we do not meet our dwelling targets, then if you're worried that three-storey duplexes could be a reality, a mandated reality, on all low-density low density residential lots. Then you can really validly talk about people's rights being taken away. We'd have no say in it because the real politic of this is that local government is at the mercy of state government. That's a real, that's the political reality. I really am pleased that we're going to see these amendments passed because finally after a three and a half year process which is, I understand some, the new councillors have only been part of it for the best part of a year, we can give some certainty to the community and industry. and industry and they're waiting on that. Lack of certainty is not something we want to give the community. To go back to the Noosa Plan 2020, yes some councillors voted against the Noosa Plan 2020. They're also voting against a hundred pieces of red tape reduction intended to help all the businesses that we always purport to help. So to have a narrow focus when you are a duly elected local government councillor I think is almost an abrogation of your responsibility. So to to help. We're not here just to be ourselves and see things through our own particular personal lens. We're here to see things through the lens of informed, educated, opinions and advice provided by professional staff. We're only as good as the advice we get, not what we might hear from a friend. And yes, we do have to make hard decisions. I think there's always implications there's always implications from planning scheme changes. The Noosa Plan 2020, it was the first step in reducing the spread of short term accommodation in low density residential zones. It was a good start. We've learned a lot since then. We know that if we bring in these changes about short term these changes about short term accommodation in medium and high density, there's likely to be a flood of superseded applications that are going to be approved because we're already knocking them back in those locations already. We can talk about thanking staff for their work. I don't think we'll fully understand the impact. A decision not to support this package at this late stage will really have given the quality work that they've done. The housing strategy was also endorsed by the community. We went out to a community consultation, the public gave the feedback and they unequivocally said yes, do the work. work. Today councillors... Today councillors is the test about whether you mean what you say and say what you mean when you say you endorse a strategy with the clearly articulated actions in there which are embodied in this planning scheme package. But I guess that's the test and that's what we'll all be judged on. So I recommend this package I recommend this package of planning scheme amendments to my colleagues here and the community and I'm sincerely hoping that everyone around this table will reconsider just seeing it through. through a particular narrow lens and getting, and taking on board that it's not just about our particular focus, it's about all the other benefits that will flow from this package. Including. Including the mums and dads and kids that will benefit from the changes at the Tewantin Registered Sporting Complex. And those who will no longer have their backyard. Backyard views overshadowed by sheds the size of two-storey homes on their boundary fences. I'm not going to make a start because I don't know how I'm going to feel. And anything we say today I think will be inadequate. So I'm going to be voting for this package and I encourage all councillors please reconsider and consider the whole package. Thank you. I'll put the motion. Those in favour? Councillor Wegener. Stockwell, Wilson and Wilkie. Those against? Councillor and Councillor Lorentson. The motion is carried. There are no further items on the agenda. So I declare the meeting closed. closed at 1:30, and thank you everybody for your patience and your contributions to the work that's been delivered today. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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