By JOLENE OGLE
HI-HO, it’s off to court we go … with Noosa Council expected to fight the Noosa Civic developers in the Planning and Environment Court over the rejection of the proposed expansion.
Noosa Civic developers, QIC, lodged an appeal against the council’s refusal of their development application on 23 October 2015.
At the time of refusal, the Noosa Council stated 10 reasons for the rejection of the application including conflicts with the South East Queensland Regional Plan’s (SEQRRP) desired regional outcome for employment, conflicts with The Noosa Plan, “undesirable” economic impacts on existing commercial centres and traffic impacts.
The appeal lodged with the Planning and Environment Court states the development application should be approved and is also calling for the council to pay the developers costs association with the appeal.
In the appeal, the developers argue the traffic report relied on by the council was informed by “advice from a traffic engineer engaged by the council, Mr Colin Beard”.
“The report identified Mr Beard had been involved since a pre-lodgement meeting with the appellant and Mr Beard’s assessment was, in part, informed by a study being undertaken for the council by Holland Traffic Consulting and by liaison with Mr Holland,” the report said.
The appeal documents also state an economic impact report prepared by the council’s co-ordinator of planning was informed by “and relied on, advice from an economic consultant engaged by council”.
Among a list of reasons for approval, the appellant states the council has “erred” in refusing the application as the development “will provide employment to support a strong, resilient and diversified economy”, and will contribute “to a diversified regional economy” within the shire.
A report by the planning co-ordinator will be presented to the Planning and Organisation Committee meeting on Tuesday 10 November and will recommend the council defend the appeal.
If the council agrees to fight the Noosa Civic developer’s appeal in the Planning and Environment Court, the case will join the current appeal against the council’s refusal of the fuel station planned for Myall Street, in Cooroy.
Creekgold Pty Ltd lodged an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court on 28 August this year calling for the development application to be approved.
