A local mayor and MP have decried the state government’s last-minute decision to progress two state-facilitated development projects to the next stage of the approvals process.
Frank Wilkie said Noosa Council was notified via letter that Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon had made the declaration late on Monday night, just before the government moved into caretaker mode ahead of the state election later this month.
According to the advice, a proposed development at Noosa Heads includes up to 196 dwellings with a building height of five to six storeys. Meanwhile, a proposal at Tewantin includes 40 units over three to four storeys.
“This blatantly disrespects Noosa’s planning scheme, which has been developed on the back of extensive community input and been the backbone of Noosa’s unique character and appeal,” Cr Wilkie said.
“It’s also incredibly frustrating and disappointing that the state only released information on the proposed height of the developments after making the declaration, particularly when our staff have been requesting this information from the state at the commencement of the consultation period.”
The minister outlined that the applicants of the two developments were now required to lodge a detailed development application to the new State Facilitated Development Department for assessment within 40 business days.
The department then has 75 business days to assess and decide the application, which includes the requirement for the applicant to undertake a minimum consultation period of 20 days for the community to provide feedback.
The council stated that, under the declaration, no appeal rights exist for the council or the community.
Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton also criticised the move.
“The updated information now provided includes building heights of five to six storeys for Noosa Junction and three to four storeys for Tewantin, which is one to two storeys higher than what is in Noosa Council’s amendments to the Noosa Plan 2020,” she said.
“This goes against what our community, through its planning scheme, has decreed is acceptable.”
An e-petition to state parliament for a ‘Noosa area State Facilitated Development Application refusal’, lodged by Aaron White, has garnered more than 770 signatures in a week.
The petition outlines several grounds for objections to the two developments, stating that “the proposed high-density, multi-level apartment blocks far exceed the size, scale and height of development allowable under the Noosa Plan 2020.”
The council had requested a meeting with the state and developers regarding the two local proposals, which includes between 180 to 196 dwellings on Lanyana Way at Noosa Junction and a 40-unit development for the corner of Sidoni Street and Poinciana Avenue at Tewantin.
“The proposed developments, with their excessive height and density, disregard what our community has worked to preserve,” Cr Wilkie said.
“These proposals now threaten to undo decades of diligent work by successive councils and the Noosa community to create low-rise precincts our residents and visitors know and love.
“We have said all along that the sites are suitable for housing, but it should be done in a way that meets the expectations of our community.
“I encourage community members to make their opinions known when this consultation occurs because our shire is facing a radical change in the look and feel that has been highly valued for decades.”
But the state government has said it is focused on offering an accelerated approvals pathway for projects that align with affordable housing.
The creation of a State Facilitated Development Team was expected to fast-track the assessment of developments.
Ms Scanlon said it should lead to a streamlined approvals process to build more homes.
“We are making it quicker and easier to build more affordable, quality homes faster in the right locations, near services and transport,” she said.
The Planning Institute of Australia’s Queensland manager Nicole Bennetts said there was a great need for homes.
“Strong population growth is expected to continue in Queensland which, when combined with smaller household sizes, means demand for affordable and diverse housing will remain high, well into the future,” she said.
“Good planning is part of the solution to facilitate more well-located affordable and diverse housing, that meet the needs of the community.”
Ms Scanlon also said community consultation would still be an important process for proposed developments and “environmental protections are important”.
The declaration for the 5047sqm of land at Noosa Heads states: “This proposal has locational attributes, including but not limited to, its position on a key corner location within Noosa Junction which provides a mix of essential services, convenience retail, higher order retail (Noosa Fair Shopping Centre), commercial uses and entertainment uses (such as cinemas, restaurants and bars).
“The site is adjacent to the Noosa Junction Station (bus station), is within walking distance to the Noosa National Park, providing access to high quality green space, and is within 1km of a range of educational facilities including Sunshine Beach State School, Saint Thomas More School and Sunshine Beach State High School that makes it highly suitable for delivering more well-located homes for Queenslanders.”
The declaration for the 2385sqm of land at Tewantin states: “This proposal has locational attributes, including but not limited to its proximity to Tewantin Village District Centre which includes a major supermarket, health services, retail stored and food and drink outlets, Doonella House community centre, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Church, Tewantin State School and Tewantin Community Kindergarten.
“The site is also within 250 meters of bus stops that provide connections to neighbouring suburbs and key activity hubs, such as Noosaville, Noosa Heads, Noosa Junction, and Sunshine Beach, that makes it highly suitable for delivering more well-located homes for Queenslanders.”
