By JONATHON HOWARD
CONCERNS over the proposed removal of development restrictions on hinterland properties has sent shock waves through the ranks of the Noosa Biosphere Association Inc, with calls for Noosa Council to explain changes to the planning scheme.
Noosa Biosphere Association vice-president Aaron White has been writing to local newspapers and media outlets flagging the issue and expressing his concerns for what is described as changes to the “rural visitor accommodation type 3”.
“Potential changes outlined in the council’s ‘Potential Planning Scheme Amendments for Rural Areas’ suggest that on any property of 10 acres or over, tourism development proposals with up to six accommodation buildings are only assessed by council staff and would be automatically rubber stamped, without any impact assessment or community input,” Mr White said.
“Should these changes to the existing Noosa Plan proceed, unspecified ‘tourism’ activities with accommodation such as biker’s retreats, wedding venues or quad bike parks etc, could be approved without neighbours even being notified, or provided an opportunity to submit an objection to the council.”
Noosa Today sent Noosa Council a series of questions to gain greater understanding of the proposed changes and address Mr White’s concerns.
A spokesman for the council said the proposed planning scheme amendments would not go ahead without State approval and following three months of community consultation.
“The council is currently reviewing the Noosa Planning Scheme, in an attempt to improve the document and reduce any unnecessary regulation through an amendment process,” the spokesman said.
“Preliminary consultation on potential amendments occurred in April-May this year when the council released eight different consultation papers for initial feedback.
“The Consultation Paper on Rural Areas posed the scenario that guesthouses, lodges, cabins and cottages (all of which fall under Visitor Accommodation Type 3 Rural) could be made code assessable up to a certain scale providing the property was large enough.
“Various written submissions were received on this matter, some in support and some opposing the idea.
“Since then the council, through workshops with staff, has been giving close consideration to all the issues in the consultation papers and to submissions received and proposed amendments have been drafted.
“While no formal decision has been made, councillors are of the view that Visitor Accommodation Type 3 Rural should remain a consistent use subject to impact assessment in the Rural Settlement and Rural Zones, so that neighbours retain the right to make submissions on applications.
“The exception to this being B&Bs wholly contained within the operator’s home with no more than three guest bedrooms for up to six guests.”
The council defined Visitor Accommodation Type 3 Rural as allowing for short-term accommodation where accommodation has direct connection with the rural production, environmental or scenic values of the premises.
It includes a small-scale cabin park, guesthouse or retreat located in a rural setting and host farm offering rural experiences. The use, however, does not allow for weddings, functions or other events.
All the proposed planning scheme amendments will formally be reported to the council in August.
Should the council decide to proceed with amendments they will be forwarded to the Minister State Development, Infrastructure and Planning for State Interest Review.
Following approval by the minister, three months of further community consultation on the amendments would commence and all comments would be welcomed.
Approved planning scheme amendments would come into effect by mid-2015.
