Noosa Council could soon implement a range of initiatives to address the region’s housing woes.
Planning scheme amendments, including expanding homes for residents and restricting short-term accommodation, have been put to the community for feedback.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said the proposed changes had been with the state government for 12 months undergoing a state interest check.
“We now have the all-clear from the state government to present the proposed amendments for feedback,” he said.
“These amendments will enable us to implement key recommendations of both the Noosa Housing Strategy – developed with input from our community in 2022 – and the Short-term Accommodation Monitoring Report 2022.
“We said we’d further limit the spread of short-term accommodation and do all we can at the local government level to improve the housing situation, and these amendments do that.”
The proposed changes aim to:
- expand housing choice by requiring and incentivising smaller dwellings, accessible dwellings, affordable dwellings and dwellings specifically built for permanent rental;
- pave the way for development of more social or affordable housing;
- prevent further short-term accommodation within medium and high-density residential zones and key centre zones to prioritise permanent residents; and
- rezone certain areas to increase opportunities for smaller dwellings and key worker housing.
“The amendments also propose to rezone some tourist accommodation zone areas in Noosaville, Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach for permanent residents and a broader range of local business uses,” Cr Wilkie said.
Council’s strategy and environment director Kim Rawlings said the amendments would also set clearer expectations for the future development of the Noosa Business Centre precinct.
“The changes will ensure it functions as an integrated village offering a diversity of employment opportunities, but also housing outcomes,” she said.
“The changes will establish clear guidelines for the development of the innovation zone at the Shire Business Centre to enable suitable and developable land for our growing innovation industries.
To find out more about the proposed amendments and talk to a planner, visit one of the upcoming pop-ups.
The proposed amendments are available online along with factsheets, frequently asked questions, maps of key proposed amendments and 3D fly-through imagery of housing outcomes.
Electronic copies of the proposed amendments are also available at council’s offices at 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin, and Noosaville and Cooroy libraries.
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