Mayor urges community to join Council's call for State to respect Noosa’s planning scheme

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie is calling on residents to write to the Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon MP and the Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli MP seeking a commitment they will not force development on Noosa that does not meet the community’s expectations and the Noosa Planning scheme. 

The state government has refused to release details of a proposed 40-unit development it is considering for a site on the corner of Sidoni Street and Poinciana Avenue at Tewantin.

The State Government is considering proposals for a 195-unit residential and commercial development in Noosa Junction and a 40-unit project in Tewantin.

The new State Facilitated Development (SFD) pathway allows developers to bypass Council and the Noosa Planning Scheme if promising to include an affordable housing component.

“These over-scale developments look set to be fast-tracked by the State because 15 percent of dwellings on the sites are deemed ‘affordable’,” Cr Wilkie said.

“There is also significant concern and a lack of clarity from the State on how an “affordable” housing component will be delivered and maintained affordable over the long term.

“This just seems like a free kick for developers, rather than truly affordable housing for residents on low to moderate incomes,” Cr Wilkie said.

“The State department has refused to release the plans and any further details regarding the proposals.

“We calculate the Lanyana Way development may need to be substantially higher than current height limits to achieve 195 dwellings on that site,” Cr Wilkie said.

“We acknowledge housing is appropriate for these sites and we want to work with both the State Government and applicants to achieve a suitable development that meets community expectations,” the Mayor said.

But Cr Wilkie said the over-scale proposals threatened decades of careful planning and would place an unmanageable burden on infrastructure.

“Over-sized development would degrade the amenity of Noosa’s low-key built environment which makes it one of Queensland and Australia’s most liveable communities and visitor destinations.

“It’s important that not only Council, but individual residents too, send a clear message to the state that our community does not accept ad hoc development that upends years of careful planning and threatens to erode our shire’s character.

“I urge Noosa residents to join Council and make a submission through the State Facilitated Development Department website before the September 23 deadline.”

Cr Wilkie said Noosa Council was already on track to meet its housing targets as set by the state and had partnerships underway with the State and a community housing provider to deliver truly affordable housing for residents on low to moderate incomes.

“Truly affordable accommodation is usually managed by the state or a community housing provider, where rent costs no more than 30 percent of household income,” he said.

In addition to making a submission on the two developments through  the SFD department, Cr Wilkie encouraged residents to write to the Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon MP and Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli MP.

“I’ve written to both the Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli seeking a written undertaking that they will not approve State Facilitated Developments in the Noosa Shire except for those assessed against the Noosa Planning Scheme.

“I have requested both leaders provide the undertaking before the commencement of the Election Caretaking Period which commences October 1, 2024.”

Submissions to the State Facilitated Development Department can be made online.

Submissions to the Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon can be made by email to housing@ministerial.qld.gov.au 

Submissions to the Leader of the Opposition can be made via email to leader@opposition.qld.gov.au