Noosa Council refuses development application for 19 units, four office spaces at Tewantin

A Tewantin businessman has slammed council for refusing his proposal to build 19 units in a decision that “pained” the mayor because she said the development was needed.

A Tewantin resident of 16 years is taking Noosa Council to court for refusing his proposal for 19 residential units amid a housing crisis.

Chris Wright said he “lost faith” in the council process after his plan to build a unit complex – including four for specialist disability accommodation – and four office spaces was rejected.

Mr Wright said the complex would help address the affordable and social housing shortage but it was rejected because councillors felt there was no guarantee it would be delivered as promised.

He purchased the site six years ago and seven apartments were demolished to make way for future development.

Negotiations started earlier this year on a deed of guarantee between the council and Mr Wright to ensure the development delivered social and disability housing.

But they failed to come to an agreement on several issues.

Chris Wright is preparing to take Noosa Council to court after they refused his bid to develop units and office spaces at Tewantin. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Wright said he did not agree that the disability accommodation units should be located on one title so they could not be sold individually.

He said the council also wanted to enforce a $500,000 bond for 10 years, however, that was dropped to $100,000 for five years.

Council officers recommended the application be refused on several grounds, including the failed negotiations and that the proposal was not suitable for the area.

They said the project was also not in line with a proposed planning scheme amendment to provide social housing in the area.

“Without that guarantee we’re looking at another proposal for inappropriate development in the wrong place,” councillor Frank Wilkie said.

“Council is open to negotiate social housing on this site … to approve this in its current form we lose the opportunity to provide for the most vulnerable in the community and add real value to our housing needs.”

Mayor Clare Stewart said while the region needed more units she would not support it.

“Until we have a signed deed we do not have that security … it pains me that we haven’t been able to reach an agreement,” she said.

Mr Wright said he wanted to help deliver a residential project to address housing needs.

“I‘m a local, my kids grew up here, it’s my community and I’m not going to do anything to jeopardise it or my reputation,” he said.

“We’re trying to do the right thing but we’ve been given a lot of road blocks by a council that has made it too hard to negotiate an outcome without a common sense court intervention.”

Councillor Amelia Lorentson was alone in her vote against the refusal and said she did not think the deed was necessary.

She said the disability housing policy provided enough incentives for the developers to deliver what they promised.

Chris Wright is preparing to take Noosa Council to court after they refused his bid to develop units and office spaces at Tewantin. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“These 19 small units would provide affordable living options,” she said.

“In my opinion this is what we’re required to do in a housing crisis, take urgent action.”

It is the third application Doonella Street Pty Ltd – led by Mr Wright – has lodged for the block.

Approval was granted for a 16-unit complex in 2015 and in August 2017 new plans for 10 units and commercial businesses were given the green light.

But Mr Wright said due to Covid-19 there was not enough interest in retail and offices – which led to the new proposal with more units and less retail space.

The four tenancies were proposed to feature an indoor sport and recreation facility, health service, office and food and drink outlet.