NEW SCHEME SETS BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE

Reducing red tape and creating new opportunities for businesses are just part of the changes embedded in Noosa’s new planning scheme that was endorsed by Noosa Council this week.

The Plan now awaits sign off by the State Planning Minister.

The Plan has been developed by a whole team of experts over the past four years, which included a complete assessment and re-write of the more than 1250m pages that now make up the scheme.

The end result is a Noosa Plan that seeks to drive the economy through a business-friendly environment while maintaining the core planning and policy aspects that have been critical to Noosa.

“There are about 75 examples of how we have reduced the levels of assessments or red tape,” said Director of Environment and Sustainable Development Kim Rawlings.

“That means businesses can gain faster approvals or in some instances they no longer require approvals at all.”

 Ms Rawlings said the plan protects the fundamental values of Noosa.

 “Much of the debate over this scheme has focussed on how we are tackling short-term accommodation across the Shire, but the new Noosa Plan delves much further into a whole range of land use scenarios that guide the way we live, the way we approach development and what type of Noosa we want in the future.”

Council agreed to restrict further short-stay accommodation of whole houses that are unhosted in low density residential areas, however hosting guests in your own home like a traditional Bed and Breakfast is made easier.

Existing use rights are likely to remain for any short-stay accommodation activity already occurring in houses in the low density residential area.

Short-stay will be a consistent use in the zones for tourist accommodation, high and medium density residential as well as rural areas.

 Ms Rawlings said the Plan does a great deal to preserve the Noosa lifestyle and support our economy for residents and businesses into the future.

“It provides a master plan for the Noosa Business Centre next to Noosa Civic that will include new business and housing opportunities in a mixed-use village precinct.

 “In the industrial areas, there is greater flexibility which meets the growing need for co-location of complementary businesses, and the scheme also paves the way for new business models in the Venture Drive Enterprise precinct and Gateway West Makers Precinct.”

Ms Rawlings said a key inclusion is to maintain the boundaries and character of distinct towns and villages.

 “This is a blueprint for the future, which aims to preserve the look-and-feel of Noosa while responding to the need for greater diversity and housing options,” Ms Rawlings said.

“It does this without increasing our urban footprint and by considering our ageing population.

“The new scheme also provides for many enhanced environmental outcomes, including new mapping for koalas and protected zones such as riparian areas.”

 Council endorsed the plan at this week’s Special Meeting, which will see the document reviewed by the State Planning Minister before coming back to Council for final adoption.