Residents urged to have a say on State’s plan to increase Noosa’s population

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart has urged residents to have their say on the State Government’s draft South East Queensland Regional Plan and its implications for Noosa. 

Low-rise development is part of Noosa’s character.

Released this week, it calls for Noosa to accommodate an additional 19,100 people by 2046, and for Noosa to possibly accommodate increased building heights of between four and eight storeys in some locations.

“This raises major concerns for Noosa Council, and we will continue to advocate strongly to protect our community’s interests, both to the Minister and Premier directly, as well as through the SEQ Regional Council of Mayors. Residents too can make their individual voices heard,” Cr Stewart said.

Residents can view and have a say on the State’s draft South East Queensland Regional Plan online.

“As we understand it, the state expects us to accommodate more than half of the 19,100 population increase – around 10,000 people – in the next two-to-three years, which is very concerning,” the Mayor said.

“It’s unrealistic and will place huge strain on our infrastructure, environment and amenity,” she said.

“Similarly concerning is the state’s push for a relaxation of building heights to allow apartment buildings between four and eight storeys in some areas,” Cr Stewart said.

“If this were to occur, it would greatly impact the character and look and feel of Noosa. What makes us unique is our distinct lack of high-rise structures and this draft plan seemingly undermines something that we hold dear and have fought so long and hard to protect and maintain.”

Mayor Stewart said Noosa Council was disappointed with the way the state developed the draft regional plan.

“These unrealistic population projections and potential changes to our height restrictions bring with them immense development pressures that threaten to overwhelm our infrastructure, including our roads and services. They also pose a significant threat to the unique way of life and natural environment that make Noosa unique,” the Mayor said.

“It’s our view that there’s been a distinct lack of genuine collaboration, and they’ve disregarded the voices of individual local governments,” Cr Stewart said.

“Local councils are best positioned to understand the individual needs and capacities of their communities and yet our voices haven’t been heard in this process.

“There’s barely anything of significance for Noosa in the state’s draft regional infrastructure plan, despite the population increase they’re expecting us to accommodate in a short period.

“The state has shifted the burden of accommodating another 2.16 million people in South East Queensland over the next 20 years back on to the local councils.

“We made our concerns known on Tuesday in a meeting in Brisbane with state officials, mayors, and senior planning staff from across South-East Queensland.

“Unbridled growth is something Noosa Council and our community have fought hard to resist over the years, and we will continue to do so with great determination,” the Mayor said.

“It is crucial that our voices are heard, and that the state considers the individual needs and capacities of each of our own communities.”

Make a submission online.

The State Government will hold a local in-person consultation session where locals can talk to state planners about the Draft SEQ Regional Plan:

Venue: Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church (Noosa District) Parish Hall.
Address: 5 Moorindil Street, Tewantin QLD 4565.
Date: Tuesday, August 29.
Time: 4pm-6pm.
Registering is optional, and can be done online.