LNP and Labor clash over controversial Noosa developments

The housing developments have received little support from the region’s council as they would exceed height restrictions.

LNP and Labor clash over controversial Noosa developments. Pictures: file.

The LNP and Labor are once again clashing over an eleventh-hour declaration by the Labor Queensland government to bypass the Noosa Council and push ahead with two controversial development plans that last year were described as “beyond disappointing” by the region’s mayor.

The Noosa Council received a letter from the state government in October 2024, 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 was expected to reach six storeys, while the 40-unit development planned for Tewantin could reach four storeys.

The developers behind the projects then had to submit applications to the State Facilitated Development Department within 40 business days.

The LNP promised to put the brakes on the controversial housing developments in Noosa, before being elected later that month, after considerable community backlash.

Queensland opposition leader Steven Miles addressed media at the Sunshine Coast on Thursday, March 20, saying these developments would address growing housing affordability issues.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles, Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick, and Labor for Fairfax Naomi McQueen. Picture: Madeline Grace.

“Everybody knows that Noosa is one of the tightest property markets in the country and that means that teachers and police and other key workers simply can’t afford to live in the community that they work in. That’s not good enough,” Mr Miles said.

“There are 200 affordable state-facilitated units ready to be built here in Noosa.

“But the LNP is blocking those developments. They were scheduled to be approved and now they’re just waiting.

“We can only assume that’s because (Planning Minister) Jarrod Bleijie doesn’t support these developments here in Noosa and won’t approve them.

“They are really important to deliver the kind of affordable stock that will allow key workers to live here in Noosa.”

In response to today’s press conference, Mr Bleijie reminded locals that Labor already had 10 years to facilitate housing but only declared these projects two days before the caretaker period began.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie

“The former Miles Labor Government oversaw a housing crisis through a decade of inaction,” Mr Bleijie said.

“That’s why these blocks of land they are doing press conferences on are still vacant.

“The LNP’s plan to secure our housing foundation includes working with local councils and their communities under a reset planning partnership.

“While Labor steamrolled councils and communities with bad planning decisions, the LNP is working closely with local governments to plan and deliver more housing for Queenslanders.

“Better planning, local consultation supported by more infrastructure will deliver the new housing across our state.”

Opposition planning spokesman Cameron Dick said Labor had fast-tracked these projects to deliver more affordable homes for the Sunshine Coast.

Opposition planning spokesman Cameron Dick

“We know that that is important for this community. Queensland needs more housing and the Sunshine Coast needs more housing as well,” he said.

“But instead of getting on with the job Jarrod Bleijie and the LNP have put down the tools.

“Jarrod Bleijie is the spanner in the works. Jarrod Bleijie is the obstruction to construction.”

Steven Miles while “prices here continue to rise and that means its more expensive to buy and more expensive to rent”.

Originally published as LNP and Labor clash over controversial Noosa developments