Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton has called for the community to remain focused in readiness to make a submission when community consultation opens on two Noosa projects applied for under the SFD process after notification was received last week that they had progressed to Stage two.
Ms Bolton’s Question Without Notice (QWN) in Parliament on Thursday 12 September sought a halt to the SFD process until detailed information became available to Noosa Council and residents on which to base their feedback, and for government to not override local planning provisions.
“The updated information now provided includes building heights of five to six storeys for Noosa Junction and three to four storeys for Tewantin, which is one to two storeys higher than what is in Noosa Council’s amendments to the Noosa Plan 2020. This goes against what our community, through its planning scheme, has decreed is acceptable,” Ms Bolton said.
“Even though some extra details have been provided on the state government website, they are still insufficient, and at this time there is not a date as to when all details will be available.“
Ms Bolton, having spoken in Parliament during a Private Member’s Statement about the importance of communities not being overridden, has reiterated again the failings in this process, and how it has not done justice to anyone, including the applicants.
“Having fought for genuine affordable housing for our workers and families for some seven years, this process should have been similar to Ministerial Infrastructure Designations (MID’s) where state government first sits with local governments to ‘hash out’ the projects and negotiate for an outcome that benefits all prior to community consultation,” she said.
Ms Bolton remains adamant that whichever government comes to power after the October election must sit down with Noosa Council before making any determinations.
The legislation that facilitated this development pathway was voted for by both the Opposition and the Government with Noosa’s Independent MP being one of the only MPs to vote against it.
“Ultimately, it is residents, businesses and local governments who must deal daily with the fallout from poor or rushed decision making, including impacts to our economy, infrastructure and livability. We need affordable accommodations for our residents, and I have no doubt that this can be achieved by state working together with our community, not overriding it by broad agenda driven policy,” Ms Bolton said.
The Minister has outlined that the applicants of the two developments are now required to lodge a detailed development application to the new State Facilitated Development Department for assessment within 40 business days.
Ms Bolton is urging everyone to stay engaged, and when the full consultation opens, to submit.
“Complacency is not an option, and should your voices go unheard, we will take them via busloads to the front of Parliament House,” Ms Bolton said.
“Local planning decisions need to be made in Noosa not Brisbane. Changes like these remind us why it is so important to remain vigilant and independent of statewide political party agendas. This is what makes our community so special, as well unique beyond our natural attributes.“
Further detail on both proposals can be found on the SFD website at planning.qld.gov.au/planning- framework/development-assessment/state-facilitated-development
Information will be updated on Sandy Bolton’s Facebook page or newsletter via at SandyBolton.com/Newsletters
