Stockwell lodges appeal over Noosaville childcare centre after council refusal

A major developer will lock heads with council in court after its proposal for a childcare centre in a Noosa business precinct was rejected.

Early artist impressions of the childcare centre proposed by Stockwell at Hofmann Dr. Photo: Stockwell/Elevation Architecture

A major developer will go up against council in court to fight for a much-needed childcare centre proposed for a business district in Noosa.

Stockwell Development Group lodged an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court on July 22 this year after the Noosa Shire Council refused its application on June 25 to build a childcare centre.

The childcare centre was proposed to be built on a vacant 2597sq m site within the Noosa Business Centre at 63 and 65 Hofmann Dr, Noosaville.

Appeal documents state the development application was initially made in May 2022 and received one submission in support during its public notification period.

The application was refused on the basis the proposal did not include a 10m landscaped garden bed required at Hofmann Dr to “enhance the parklike, vegetated setting envisaged for the centre”.

Documents state the proposal was also refused as the building does not reach the minimum height of 2.7m, bicycle parking impedes access around the site and the purpose of the development is not consistent with “commercial and employment uses intended for the precinct”.

Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers on behalf of Stockwell declared the grounds of the appeal was council’s refusal was “wrong and contrary to law” in documents.

Stockwell have put forward the Noosa Plan 2020 does not require a 10m landscaped bed on Hofmann Dr and visual amenity outcomes outlined in the Noosa Plan has been achieved by a 4m wide bed.

Documents state the single-storey “modest” building has been designed to integrate with its natural surroundings.

Stockwell has argued a requirement of 10m for a garden bed is “unreasonable” and the childcare centre will provide employment to support workers in Noosa.

It has also been stated in documents the height of the building will be 2.5m, just 20cm below the requirement, and bicycle parking, which does not impede access, is an issue which does not warrant refusal and can be addressed in approval conditions.

Stockwell ended the appeal documents stating there is a clear need for a childcare centre in the area.

Stockwell declined to comment at this stage.

Originally published as Stockwell lodges appeal over Noosaville childcare centre after council refusal