Design manual rewrite to preserve 'look and feel'

Noosa Council is rewriting the guidebook that has shaped the look and feel of the shire over the past 30 years. And residents are invited to help draft it.

“While our town plan determines the sorts of developments that can be built in particular locations, the Noosa Council Design Manual plays an important role in shaping the overall look and feel of our region, including our streets and open spaces,” said Noosa Council design manager Ross Sanderson.

“Since 1986 its contents have guided developers and Council planners on landscaping, carparks, signage design and a host of other visual elements to achieve the leafy, low-impact environment Noosa residents cherish and visitors envy.”

Council has launched an online survey and discussion forum at http://yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au for residents to offer feedback on the sorts of things they’d like to see included or removed from the manual.

Mr Sanderson said that with changes to design standards and legislation the time had come to update the design manual to take the shire into the future.

“The design manual aims to articulate all the little things that contribute to our unique environment. The end result will be a useful and vibrant document to guide the look and feel of our shire for years to come,” Mr Sanderson said.

“We’re inviting residents to upload photographs of design elements that they feel are examples of either good or bad design.

“This might include feedback on the types and amount of landscaping, materials used in street beautification, anything that influences the appearance of our local area.”

Residents can also download a copy of the 1986 Noosa Shire Council Design Manual, complete with hand drawn illustrations, from Council’s YourSay Noosa site at: http://yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au

Residents can access the online discussion forum and survey for the next four weeks.

13 January 2015