New land asset and housing
Council is set to create a community land asset by remediating a former landfill site and facilitating promised social housing at Cooroy.
A subdivision at 62 Lake Macdonald Drive in Cooroy will include 25 architect-designed social housing units on a minority, 3000 square metre portion of the site (Lot 1), which will be purchased and built upon by not-for-profit community housing provider Coast2Bay.
The majority of the site, 14,000 square metres (Lots 2 and 3), will be the subject of community consultation to decide its future use.
A 10,000 square metre lot (Lot 100) will be set aside for cemetery expansion.
Rather than leave the hazard for future councils to clean up at an increased cost, Council will remediate the whole site, which was a former landfill, subject to securing a loan or grant.
Coast2Bay will need to lodge a Development Application for approval, providing the community with an opportunity to review the proposal prior to any formal construction.
Council are a key member of council’s Housing Stakeholder Reference Group.
The community will be asked to give input on what the remaining 14,000 square metres of land should be used for, including options such as open space, cultural heritage projects, housing, and other community purposes.
Responding to feedback from neighbouring residents, the revised layout includes a vegetated buffer that was doubled in size to 10-metres wide and an extra 2500 square metres of open space.
Council estimates site remediation will begin in May and finish in August, to be followed by subdivision works.
More information www.noosa.qld.gov.au/housing-projects
Residents feedback in review
New data from the regular quarterly updates measuring the effectiveness of Queensland’s first and only Short-Stay Letting (SSL) local law shows positive trends, with some room for further improvement.
The SSL Local Law December quarter snapshot shows Council has refused 97 short-stay letting applications, while 210 approvals were surrendered or not renewed, and 46 renewals expired since the law was introduced in February 2022.
Calls to the complaints hotline established with the new SSL Local Law in 2022 have dropped 45% from 592 in 2023 down to 266 in 2024.
Some 330 compliance notices and 160 infringements have been issued for breaches of the law.
There are still some disturbances and complaints that the hotline is not working as intended. The short-stay team is investigating why this may be happening as part of the local law review.
The SSL Local Law Review began in March 2024 to assess its effectiveness, identify weak spots and potential improvements.
Key residents’ groups and individuals are lodging submissions and returning surveys as an integral part of this process, as promised.
A report on the findings of the Short-Stay Letting Local Law Review is scheduled to be presented to Council early in 2025.
Go Noosa changes
With 50-cent bus fares now permanent and data indicating significant jumps in public travel as a result, funding used to subsidise free bus services can be redirected to other transport programs.
We’re investigating improved park-and-ride services, extra local bus services to support residents, improved pedestrian and cyclist pathways and options for more e-transport methods.
The Go Noosa Holiday Program, which includes the free weekend bus services, is funded through Council’s Sustainable Transport Levy. Despite rising costs associated with delivering the Go Noosa initiatives, the Levy has remained unchanged since 2018.
Council is also reviewing the Flexi-link and Council Cabs services to assess their value to ratepayers.
Public art call-out
Artist are called to create two new State-Funded public artworks for public, council owned sites, with a minimum life span of 10 years.
There’s a budget of up to $215,000 per artwork available.
It’s part of the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal Public Art Initiatives, a commitment under the $1.8 billion SEQ City Deal between the Australian Government, Queensland Government, and the Council of Mayors (SEQ).
Expressions of Interest to be lodged by March 2, 2025.
Up to six successful applicants will participate in a paid opportunity to develop their ideas, with final presentations on April 28, 2025.
For guidance on the application process email: procurement@noosa.qld.gov.au.
More information at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/seq-public-art-initiative
Living well Noosa returns
Kicking off in February there are a range of low-cost workshops to help you thrive – body, mind, and soul.
Yoga, breathwork, and meditation are back, plus new additions that respond to feedback, including: Youth Art Therapy Program – Cooroy Library (Feb 11); Mums & Bubs Meditation & Resilience Program – Tewantin (Feb 18) & Cooroy (Feb 19); Parents & Carers ‘Crafternoons’ – Cooroy Library (Feb 3); Kids Yoga – Cooroy Library (Feb 4); Meditation & Mindfulness ‘Serenity Walks’ – Noosaville (Feb 4).
• Find the full program & register for updates, visit: www.noosa.qld.gov.au/living-well-noosa
