Noosa locals upset over changes to council’s proposed Delorme St plans

A tight-knit neighbourhood in one of the most sought-after suburbs in the country has been left reeling by a council’s proposed changes that would mean some future builds must be affordable housing options.

Residents of a Noosa Heads street have slammed proposed changes to the council's planning scheme. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Residents of a Noosa Heads street have slammed proposed changes to the region council’s planning scheme that would allow only multiple dwellings as future builds on some sites on their road.

Many residents of Delorme St in Noosa Heads, which is close to Coles Noosa and within walking distance to the Junction, say the change would stop them rebuilding a single home on their land if it burnt to the ground.

The petition, submitted by Suzie McDonald to the Noosa Council, stated that most of the residents “strongly” opposed proposed amendment number two to the Noosa Plan that would allow only multiple dwellings to be built on blocks more than 600sq m in a medium-density residential zone.

“Under the proposed amendments if a house in Delorme St was lost to fire, the owner would be prohibited from rebuilding the house,” the petition stated.

“This potential scenario is just one of many that underscores the direct and adverse effects these amendments could have on our neighbourhood.”

Delorme St, Noosa Heads. Picture: Google Maps

The document stated more than 75 per cent of the property owners had lived in the street for more than six years and, before duplex construction was allowed at three properties, “99 per cent” of the properties were owner-occupied with no short-term rentals.

“Delorme St embodies more than just a collection of homes, it is a tight-knit community of long-term residents,” the petition stated.

Many residents of a Noosa Heads street have slammed proposed changes to the council's planning scheme including Suzie McDonald. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Property records showed one of the properties on the street had sold for $2m in 2022.

The residents “called upon” the Noosa Council to “reconsider and reject” the amendment to the planning scheme.

“We recommend the council consider other areas of development for affordable housing with close proximity to central zones of Noosa,” the petition stated.

“We urge the council to engage in genuine dialogue with the residents of Delorme St and other affected communities before making any decisions that will irreversibly alter our neighbourhood.”

The Delorme St petition was one of four submitted to the council at the July 18 meeting.

More than 3000 people signed two petitions against a controversial plan for the Noosaville foreshore before Mayor Frank Wilkie vowed to go back to the community for further consultation.

Noosa Council Mayor Frank Wilkie. Picture: Iwan Jones

A petition calling for the end of what it called an “absurd” council project that replaced 40 car parks in the middle of Noosa at the height of the Christmas holidays with a pop-up people area was also presented nearly seven months after it was created.

The council had received more than 2100 responses to the Your Say Noosa online survey and more than 220 written submissions during the second phase of engagement on the draft Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan.

Apex Park has been proposed to include a grassed amphitheatre, river lookouts and new and enhanced park facilities in the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan. Photo: Noosa Shire Council.

Council staff said during the meeting that about 350 mostly detailed submissions were submitted to the council over the proposed planning scheme amendments during the public consultation phase, which some councillors said should be opened back up.

Councillor Amelia Lorentson said she was concerned Noosa residents had two complex documents, the Noosaville plan and the proposed planning scheme amendments, that demanded public feedback at the same time.

Cr Amelia Lorentson raised concerns about two complex documents being open for public feedback at the same time.

She said the Noosaville plan had also attracted significant media interest.

Concerns were raised the interest in the Noosaville plan had overshadowed the planning scheme document open for community feedback.

Mr Wilkie, however, said the public consultation for the proposed changes to the planning scheme was open for six weeks.

Councillor Brian Stockwell said it was important to remember why the amendments were proposed in the first place.

“I can tell you exactly who hasn’t made submissions in the six weeks,” he said.

Councillor Brian Stockwell says it is important to remember the people who have moved out of the Noosa Shire because they can no longer afford to live there.

“They’re the people who’ve moved out of town because they can’t afford to live here.”

The council extended the public submission feedback for 10 days and received an extra 100 submissions.

Mr Wilkie said the amendments were a response to help address the nationwide housing availability and affordability crisis and meet state-imposed dwelling targets.

He also said extending the consultation for the extra 10 days meant the council may no longer be able to submit the amendments to the state government for sign-off before the October state election.

Since the July council meeting, Ms McDonald created another petition again calling on the council to consult the community before considering the Noosa Plan amendment.

As of August 1, it had attracted more than 650 signatures.

“We call upon the Noosa Council to reject proposed amendment number two to the Noosa Plan 2020 and to engage with our communities before making any decisions,” the online petition stated.

“This is not just for us, but for the future generations who will call Noosa home.”

The Noosa Chamber of Commerce had also raised concerns regarding the requirement that 75 per cent of dwellings on sites more than 600sq m must be 75sq m dwellings in medium-density and high-density zones, stating that it was “not practical” for high-value coastal areas.

“This policy is likely to result in land banking or a rush of superseded planning scheme applications to utilise the old rules,” it stated.

“The incentives are insufficient, lacking effective market and financial modelling and fail to recognise the need for a variety of dwelling sizes.”

Some Delorme St residents refused to comment on the petition, the July 18 council meeting or the proposed planning scheme amendments.

Originally published as Noosa locals upset over changes to council’s proposed Delorme St plans