A mixed-use development that will bring “a whole new vibrancy” to a riverfront corner has been unanimously approved.
The three-storey complex, which will include restaurants and units, was proposed for a site opposite the Noosa River in July 2024.
Located at 203-207 Gympie Terrace, with frontage to Thomas and Albert streets, the 3750sqm area is set to be transformed after Noosa councillors voted in favour of the development at a March 17 meeting.
The new-look ‘key corner’ will be home to four food and drink outlets and one unit on the ground floor, plus a further 15 units on the first and second floors.
The short-term accommodation units will have from one to four bedrooms, and five will have the capability of dual-key configuration.
A communal pool will be located on the ground floor, while two private rooftop terraces will have a pool each.
A basement car park will provide 45 spaces with a further 11 on the ground level.
Planning staff recommended the development for approval, with a series of conditions, during this month’s Noosa Council general committee meeting.
“Upon assessment, there is sufficient merit to recommend the application for approval, which will still achieve the overall outcomes sought under the Tourist Accommodation Zone and Noosaville Local Plan codes,” the recommendation stated.
The conditions pertained to the rooftop terraces, onsite waste management, car parking and shade structures, with some amendments to the conditions put forward at the meeting.
The pergolas on the rooftop will need to be capped at 2.2m in height, reduced from 2.7m in the original plans.
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This will reduce the overall approved building height to 12.9m, after taking into consideration an adjusted ground-level height required to comply with the flood hazard overlay.
Despite the development exceeding Noosa Council’s 12m limit, the planning officer’s report outlined the pergolas would be set back from street view and the height would be “consistent with surrounding rooftop terraces”.
Councillor Brian Stockwell said the development would be an “asset to the community”.
“The building form, design (and) mix of uses is very suitable to the site,” he said.
“I think the mix of downstairs eating and the commercial component being reduced from the existing (offering), together with the two storeys of short-term (accommodation), is compliant with the scheme.
“I think it is going to be an asset to the community and activate the open areas on site.
“(It will bring) a whole new vibrancy in Thomas Street as a result.”
A motion to approve the development, based on the recommendation, was carried unanimously.
An existing development on the site, which is home to restaurants such as Whisky Boy, 250 Grammi and Jimmy Fox, plus retail stores like The River Read and Noosa Flow Pilates studio, will make way for the new complex.
