A proposed car wash for a hinterland town is likely to be rejected despite overwhelming support from residents.
A development application was first submitted to Noosa Council in November 2022 seeking a material change of use on a former motel site at Cooroy.
Located at 34 Elm Street, plans revealed it would include auto and manual car washing bays plus vacuum and dog wash areas.
A food and drink outlet and storage room were also proposed for the site, which comprises three parcels of land spanning a combined 2013sqm.
The applicant, Kings Group Pty Ltd, proposed the development would be eco-friendly by applying water harvesting, reuse and conservation measures.
The impact-accessible proposal was subject to 15-day public notification period, which ran in October 2023.
A total of 520 submissions were made during that time with 498 in support of the development, 19 objections and three impartial.
The applicant was active in community engagement during the campaign, holding an onsite information weekend and running a Facebook group to drum up support for the proposal.
The proposed site was once the home of Cooroy Motel, which was demolished around 2018 following the sale of the property.
Around the same time a separate development application for a small shopping centre with nine shops was lodged with Noosa Council and subsequently granted via a negotiated decision notice in August 2019.
Property data revealed the block, located between two existing petrol stations, was sold again in July 2020.
While the currency period is still in place for the approved shopping complex, the development has not been acted on.
At a Planning and Environment Committee Meeting on August 6, Noosa Council planning staff recommended the car wash application for refusal citing inconsistencies with zoning and the character of Cooroy.
Located within the Cooroy Local Plan Area, the site is zoned District Centre, which allows commercial-style use.
In a report, planning co-ordinator Nadine Gorton said a car wash was deemed industrial use and therefore not suitable for that site.
“The application is not supported,” the reported stated.
“The design of the car wash … does not meet the design criteria detailed in the Noosa Plan as the access and parking arrangements dominate the street and do not contribute to vibrant and active streetscapes that are characteristic of Cooroy.
“Further, the design reinforces and expands the industrial character partially established by the existing service stations.”
The report also outlined that the proposed development would contribute to the “loss” of valuable District Centre-zoned land and would offer fewer employment opportunities than a shopping complex.
Feedback from residents during public notification outlined that a car wash would be welcomed in the town, noting the nearest was located at Noosaville.
Objections were raised regarding noise and potential water spray to neighbouring properties.
The report stated Noosa Council understood the community desire for the development.
“It is agreed that Cooroy and the surrounding area does not have a car wash facility and that such a facility would provide a service to the locality,” it stated.
“It is also acknowledged that many local residents are supportive of the use, with the applicant also demonstrating that any adverse impacts in terms of noise, traffic and stormwater can be appropriately mitigated.
“However, on balance when considered against the loss of the District Centre land, which is intended for commercial/retail uses, and the limited employment opportunities … the proposed development does not provide an improvement … when compared to how it is intended the site be developed.”
A motion to discuss the item further at the General Committee Meeting on August 12 was carried unanimously.
Kings Group has been contacted for comment.
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