Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort development gets green light

A controversial five-star resort will go ahead with an extraordinary condition to manage odour concerns from a nearby sewage treatment plant.

The Noosa Springs hotel development has been approved by Noosa Council.

A controversial Noosa resort has been given the green light despite ongoing concerns with possible odour issues from a nearby sewage treatment site.

Plans for the Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort were first lodged with the Noosa Council in 2021 by the property owner, GH Properties.

The council initially rejected the plans in 2023, prompting the developer to appeal the decision.

A number of deputations were made during the Noosa Council’s ordinary meeting held in December last year, all regarding the proposed Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort.

One deputation came from a Unitywater spokesman who said the company was in “firm opposition” to the proposed hotel development, with resort facilities set to be to built 150m from sewage treatment plants.

Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort owners GH Properties first proposed a five-star hotel in 2021.

At the council’s recent ordinary meeting on May 15, an additional condition was introduced requiring the development to have a real-time odour sensor to alert the resort’s management to close doors and bring guests inside.

The amended condition was supported by the council unanimously.

Councillor Brian Stock then encouraged the councillors to support the entire development, stating it was “the reasonable thing to do”.

Mayor Frank Wilkie, Mr Stockwell, councillor Karen Finzel and councillor Tom Wegener voted in support of the resort, while councillor Amelia Lorentson, councillor Jessica Phillips and councillor Nicola Wilson voted against.

The developer initially sought approval to build 109 units, however the final approval conditions reduced the number to 69 along with the removal of one entire building included in the initial design.

The final resort design includes four buildings, an international tennis federation standard tennis court and swimming pools, with the project set to address Noosa’s “growing demand for premium short-stay accommodation”, according to GH Properties.

Managing director of GH Properties, Ellen Guan, described the result from the council’s meeting as a “harmonious outcome”.

Project manager of the development Phil Starkey said the addition of the hotel to Noosa Springs was always a part of the master plan.

“This is a landmark project that will strengthen Noosa Springs as the premium place to live and visit,” Mr Starkey said.

“It will diversify and elevate the local accommodation market while creating long-term economic and lifestyle value for Noosa Springs and the region.”