A new five-start resort has been recommended for approval after significant changes were made to a development application.
If approved, it would be the first five-star resort built in the region in more than 30 years.
New designs have been submitted for The Calile Noosa, which is proposed across two lots within the masterplanned Settlers Cove precinct.
It follows a public notification period for the 2.4-hectare site at 3 and 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads, which garnered 107 submissions.
A development application for an other change was submitted to Noosa Council in October 2022 on behalf of Calile Malouf Investments by Project Urban.
It proposed an integrated resort featuring 178 rooms, 12 suites and 15 villas, plus a restaurant, bar, day spa, shop, meeting room and conference facilities.
An approval for a resort development comprising 109 dwelling units, 90 accommodation units and ancillary facilities already exists across the site.
That development, which is also the subject of a current application for an extension to the currency period, was approved by the then-amalgamated Sunshine Coast Council in April 2010.
According to documentation, “substantial” changes have now been proposed for the development, specifically a reduction in the number of units from 199 to 186.
This would lower the development footprint and retain vegetation.
Several buildings would also be relocated to the southern portion of the site and the pools relocated to the northern part of the site.
Additional basement parking and changes to the vehicle access were also proposed, as well as a rooftop garden.
During the public notification period, which occurred in August last year, of the 107 properly made submissions there were 73 against, 21 in support and 13 neutral.
Most of the arguments against the development related to environmental concerns and traffic management.
Noosa Council planning staff have outlined that traffic, parking, stormwater and environment impacts have been reviewed by consultants and were considered appropriate.
At Noosa Council’s Planning and Environment Committee meeting on October 8, council staff recommended the Other Change application with proposed conditions for approval.
The recommendation also suggested to approve the extension to the currency period for a further six years, expiring on October 17, 2030.
“The proposed changes to the existing resort approval have been reviewed against the current Noosa Plan assessment benchmarks and generally comply apart from some design requirements,” the staff recommendation read.
“Concerns as to the building meeting the Noosa Design Principles is raised and conditions have been included to address specific elements relating to the external appearance.
“The proposed change to the built form reduces the development footprint, the number of units and gross floor area previously approved and increases the amount of native vegetation to be retained.
“The proposed changes to the existing approval are considered to comply with the current requirements of the Noosa Plan and will provide for a resort development that will be consistent with the character of the area.”
During the meeting, Councillor Amelia Lorentson raised a question asking why there was such a focus on one-bedroom units, suggesting two or three-bedroom units could help ease the burden on residential homes being needed for short-term letting.
Other councillor queries related to nearby bike and footpaths, and who was responsible for managing the conservation and environmental areas around and within the site.
A motion was moved to refer the application to the upcoming General Committee meeting on October 14 for further discussion.
Calile Malouf Investments is the developer behind Brisbane’s five-star The Calile Hotel at Fortitude Valley.
Sunshine Coast News contacted Calile Malouf Investments.
A response from the company said there would be no further comment at this stage.
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