LNP makes firm promise over controversial Noosa housing development

After vague responses last week, the LNP has today promised to ‘put the brakes’ on a controversial 195-unit housing development in Noosa, if elected later this month.

Noosa property expert Kirstie Klein-Hunter (left) said changes to short-term accommodation letting were to go ahead they would result in a decrease in available holiday accommodation but the Noosa Council, led by Mayor Frank Wilkie (right), is hoping to further restrict short-term accommodation in Noosa.

After vague responses last week, the LNP has today promised to put the brakes on a controversial 195-unit housing development in Noosa, if elected later this month.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie announced on Monday the LNP would not continue with the state government’s progression of a 195-unit, six-storey development in Noosa Junction after considerable community backlash.

In an eleventh-hour declaration by the Queensland government last week, before entering caretaker mode, the controversial development plans officially progressed to the next stage for approval under the State Facilitated Development legislation.

The legislation bypasses local council consultation and disallows any appeals on future approvals.

Deputy Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Bleijie said the LNP’s housing plan involved working with local councils and communities.

“The LNP is committed to delivering affordable housing across Queensland, but we have consistently said our plan to provide more housing will be delivered in collaboration with local councils and the community housing sector,” Mr Bleijie said.

“The Premier and Labor have left Noosa residents in the dark and taken it upon themselves to push ahead with a 195-unit development in Noosa Junction and a further 40-unit development in Tewantin without any discussion with council and completely disregarding the community.

LNP vague on future of Noosa housing development plans

Noosa’s LNP candidate and former mayor, Clare Stewart, has stopped short of promising to reverse the state government’s move to sideline the council and push ahead with two large-scale housing developments.

Last week, the Noosa Council was informed the state government had proceeded to the next stage in a State Facilitated Development to build more than 200 units in Noosa.

The developments, if approved, would exceed local building height limits and allow no opportunity for the council to appeal the state’s decision.

When asked whether the LNP would reverse or amend the State Facilitated Development process that eliminates council’s input, Ms Stewart said it would seek to work with councils.

“Noosa residents are rightly outraged at the blatant disrespect Labor has shown their community time and time again. Rubber stamping a proposal in the dead of night without council consultation is just the latest on a long list of failures,” Ms Stewart said.

“The Independent MP has failed to fight for our community or deliver a fair result, only the LNP will deliver the change we need.

“The LNP will work with councils, not dictate to them.”

Six storeys, 196 units: Noosa mayor slams ‘radical’ Qld govt housing plans

An eleventh-hour declaration by the Queensland government to bypass the Noosa Council and push ahead with two controversial development plans been described as “beyond disappointing” by the region’s mayor.

The Noosa Council received a letter from the state government on Monday night, which revealed the two controversial housing developments proposed for Noosa Junction and Tewantin would exceed the current height limits.

The 196-unit proposal for Noosa Junction is expected to reach six storeys, while the 40-unit development planned for Tewantin could reach four storeys.

The developers behind the projects will now submit applications to the new State Facilitated Development Department within the next 40 business days.

Due to the State Facilitated Development process the council will not have appeal rights once the developments are approved.

The Noosa Council has hit back at the state government over development plans that “blatantly disrespect” planning codes.

Mr Wilkie said the decision by the state government was “beyond disappointing” and indicated a radical new future for the Noosa community.

“The proposed developments, with their excessive height and density, disregard what our community has worked to preserve,” Mr Wilkie said.

“These proposals now threaten to undo decades of diligent work by successive councils and the Noosa community to create low-rise precincts our residents and visitors know and love.”

Mr Wilkie said he believed the Noosa community would show their thoughts on the developments in the state election later this month.

“Whichever candidate can promise that any State Facilitated Development in Noosa will accord and align with the Noosa Planning Scheme and the scheme’s amendments will win the vote for Noosa,” Mr Wilkie said.

Short-term rentals, density: Battle lines drawn over Noosa’s housing crisis

A property expert has slammed the Noosa Council’s proposed changes to holiday rentals as debate surrounding the region’s housing woes reaches boiling point between the local and state governments.

The Noosa Council last week revealed its key priorities ahead of the upcoming election, calling on the next state government to amend recent legislation that allows certain developments to go ahead without council approval.

The council’s advocacy document was released as proposed amendments to the Noosa Plan 2020, which would introduce tougher laws surrounding holiday letting, were officially put before the state government.

The amendments would limit short-term accommodation to within a specific tourism zone in the region and encourage more medium density housing.

Noosa property expert, Kirstie Klein-Hunter.

However, Noosa property expert Kirstie Klein-Hunter said if the changes were to go ahead they would result in a decrease in available holiday accommodation, pushing up prices and demand.

“Many of my buyers prefer to buy in areas where they can maximise their investment through holiday lettings,” she said.

“The tourist accommodation zone is a relatively small area and if these changes are adopted, owners outside of the zone may not be able to holiday let their properties.

“Most existing and potential Noosa property owners are unaware of these proposed changes and there needs to be more awareness around what this means for individuals.

“The impact will see a reduction in the availability of holiday lettings, which in turn will increase demand and accommodation prices will follow suit.”

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie. Picture: Iwan Jones

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie’s calls for the state government’s co-operation on housing policy comes as more than 200 units are proposed under a state facilitated development process in Tewantin and Noosa Junction.

The recent legislation means the state government can bypass the council and approve the developments, which Mr Wilkie said appeared to be “substantially higher” than the current height limits.

“These over-scale developments look set to be fast-tracked by the state because 15 per cent of dwellings on the sites are deemed ‘affordable’,” Mr Wilkie said.

“There is also significant concern and a lack of clarity from the state on how an “affordable” housing component will be delivered and maintained affordable over the long term.

“This just seems like a free kick for developers, rather than truly affordable housing for residents on low to moderate incomes.”

A petition by the Noosa community calling for the refusal of the state facilitated development amassed more than 600 signatures in the five days since it was created.

Noosa MP Sandy Bolton. Picture David Clark

The former Noosa Mayor and LNP candidate, Clare Stewart, said she was concerned with the state government’s approach to the two housing developments.

“The Miles Labor Government has ‘notified’ Noosa Council of a state facilitated development pathway process for two residential developments – including a 195 residential unit, commercial and retail complex,” Ms Stewart said.

“I understand Mayor Wilkie is seeking information from the state government on issues including proposed building heights and carparking requirements.

“It is concerning that basic details including proposed building heights and carparking requirements have not been provided to Noosa Council or the community.”

As for short-term accommodation amendments, Ms Stewart said that was a matter for the council.

Greens candidate Rhonda Prescott said it was undemocratic to skip council and community consultation when it came to housing development approvals, while supporting the council’s “clamping down” on short-term accommodation.

Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said she strongly opposed the state facilitated development process and believed that in regards to short-term accommodation local government was in the best position to make decisions.

Labor’s candidate, Mark Denham, did not respond to questions regarding the state facilitated development process.

Originally published as LNP makes firm promise over controversial Noosa housing development