A majority of Noosa Springs residents and members support an application to build a boutique five-star hotel within the resort grounds, which comes before Noosa Council again this month, according to a recent survey conducted by GH Properties, the resort’s owner.
GH says its survey showed more than 70 per cent either fully supported, or had no objection to, the proposal to build the 106-room hotel on land currently vacant, or occupied by the resort’s tennis complex. A large proportion of the remainder would be in favour if they had comfort around other issues, which GH says have already been addressed in the material considered by council staff and its experts.
Tourism Noosa has written a letter of support, saying the development would generate employment, create ongoing economic activity, and provide a boutique hotel experience that is genuinely needed. Such a project would strengthen Noosa’s appeal to international and interstate visitors, and boost the region’s economy, it said.
The Noosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry also threw its support behind the proposal, pointing out that current short-term letting accommodation in the region was becoming aged, and quality five-star serviced accommodation was very limited.
GH Properties, which owns Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort, submitted an application more than two years ago to build a low-level luxury boutique hotel on its property. The hotel would be managed by a five-star international operator and integrate with existing resort facilities.
Plans were changed during the assessment period in response to requests from council planners and to issues raised by members of the public. Council planning staff recommended the proposal be approved and argued in its favour at a Committee meeting in July.
Ellen Guan, Director of GH Properties, urged Councillors to take notice of the present community sentiment: “We knew some concerns were raised before people really knew the details of the proposal – and certainly before the many modifications we made to the application. To test current thinking, we conducted a formal survey of more than 260 residents over the past several weeks. The results have been overwhelmingly positive … We have shared the results with councillors and passed on letters of support.
“We firmly believe the proposed boutique hotel development aligns with Noosa’s strategic interests and presents numerous benefits. It addresses the shortage of visitor accommodation rooms and, in particular, the chronic shortage of full-service luxury hotel accommodation. When combined with the existing sport and recreation facilities of Noosa Springs, the proposal provides a distinctive and enticing destination away from other congested visitor nodes within Noosa.
“Many Noosa Springs’ residents and members now also recognise the substantial benefits the hotel will bring, and the survey results demonstrate that support. We proceeded with the development proposal in good faith and have asked councillors to give us a fair go by adopting the council staff and experts’ recommendation to approve the hotel,” Ms Guan said.
“As we are advised that the application complies with the planning scheme and has considerable merit, it would be extremely disappointing if the Planning and Environment Court is needed to make a decision, which would come at great expense to ourselves and the ratepayers of Noosa.”
