An application to build a three-storey house on a Sunshine Beach site mapped by Noosa Plan 2020 as being a landslide hazard, included in the coastal management district and in an identified erosion prone area, had Noosa councillors raising questions at council’s Planning and Environment Committee meeting on Tuesday.
The application submitted by Gavin and Catherine Deane is to construct a new house at 66 Seaview Terrace, the last remaining vacant block on the high dune on the ocean side of the narrow street, overlooking Sunshine Beach below.
The dwelling is to be constructed on the 576sqm lot over three levels. The lower level comprises three bedrooms, family room, gym, bathroom, powder room, laundry and an ensuite.
The upper level consists of the garage, master bedroom, kitchen, dining and living areas while an outdoor room and a large rooftop terrace which is partially covered, forms the upper level.
Council officers told the meeting the application had included a geotechnical investigation report and coastal hazard assessment
The material has been reviewed by a consulting geotechnical engineer and a hydraulic engineer with conditions being developed to address the risks of constructing within an area subject to coastal erosion processes, the officer said.
In addition, the plans included several planning scheme non-compliance issues including its three-storey site cover but officers considered them to be “reasonable“ and not detrimental to neighbouring properties and their recommendation was to approve the application subject to conditions.
Cr Tom Wegener asked how stormwater runoff from the property’s gutters, downpipes, driveways and pavings would be returned to the council stormwater system on Seaview Terrace, which was a condition of construction, and the impact of the extra runoff on the system.
Officers did not provide the answer to the question on Tuesday but said it was important the applicants not have runoff at the rear of the site or into other properties as the site was subject to erosion and it would increase the risk.
Cr Wegener also questioned the impact of vibration during construction on nearby properties and the impact of tradesmen on neighbours in the narrow street.
He was told due to the risk of instability of the dune site, vibrations had to be kept to a minimum and monitored, and any damage to neighbouring assets or services had to be repaired at no cost to the asset owners. And workers would have to be bussed in to the site to prevent clogging up the street.
If we get a serious weather event in the first 20 years of the property’s life are we going to look like the American Malibus with houses sitting over eroded cliffs, Cr Wegener asked.
“Potentially yes, depending on how soon that will occur,“ officers said.
Cr Wegener asked about council’s duty of care and liability if they supported the development application and other houses were damaged.
“It’s something I think is a real danger,“ he said.
The application was referred for further discussion and responses to questions to council’s general committee meeting next Monday.
