Noosa’s mayor believes the state government needs to put its money where its plan is, if ambitious growth targets are to be met in the shire.
The newly released SEQ Regional Plan 2023 (ShapingSEQ) outlines growth targets for the south-east, including an additional 5000 homes and 18,800 people in Noosa Shire by 2046.
But Mayor Clare Stewart said the government needed to do much more to improve public transport and infrastructure before then to meet the “significant increases” in population.
“Given the projected growth for Noosa, investment in public transport options and infrastructure are still lacking in the plan and something that needs to be addressed by the state government,” Cr Stewart said.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
“We will continue to advocate for better public transport solutions, particularly to the Noosa Business Centre and to our hinterland.
“We acknowledge there is a need to grow as a shire responsibly, and it’s important that the state government continue to deliver infrastructure to support community and social needs at the same time.
“We want to see a genuine commitment by the state government to continue to listen to our community’s concerns and ensure solutions to achieve the housing targets are locally responsive, while respecting communities and their character.”
Cr Stewart said it was clear the community’s advocacy had been heard, considering the contents of the draft plan compared with the final plan.
Under the plan, about 5 per cent of Noosa’s future housing will be medium-rise, which covers buildings of four to eight storeys. That equates to less than 250 dwellings over the next 23 years.
Settlers Cove is a local example of medium-rise apartments.
Height limits continue to be set by the planning scheme and will not change because of the SEQ Regional Plan.
About 80 per cent of the new housing stock across Noosa will be low-rise within the existing urban footprint, which is seen as positive news for the shire.
“We will continue to strongly protect the look and feel of Noosa to ensure low-rise buildings remain a part of our shire and safeguard the planning controls needed to maintain our character and amenity,” Cr Stewart said.
Under the new plan, secondary dwellings such as granny flats are now recognised as individual homes.
“These are outcomes strongly advocated for by council and the Noosa community since the release of the draft plan and at recent public consultation workshops,” Cr Stewart said.
“Small, modest, comfortable dwellings within the current footprint will help Noosa retain its character while providing for sustainable growth.
“Our council is currently averaging about four secondary dwelling approvals a month.”
The regional plan expands the urban footprint slightly at Cooroy to support future employment. This area seeks to address a local and regional need for industrial land, well-located in proximity to existing industrial activities and the Bruce Highway.
Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
