Jim Fagan
Noosa Springs resident John Cochrane has slammed Noosa Council and its chief executive officer Scott Waters for giving objectors to the controversial luxury hotel proposal at the resort only two days next week to bring their case to individual councillors.
“It’s taken almost 18 months for the development application to be finally on the agenda of the council’s general committee and, because of the way the council manages its application development process, we’ve been given next to no time to access busy councillors.
“This is hardly what could be described as a thriving democracy.”
The plan by Hong Kong developer Golden Horse Nine Dragon Lake Holdings to develop a 112-room hotel with three tennis courts and two swimming pools was announced in December 2021.
Within two weeks the $50 million dollar proposal drew objections from more than 450 residents, community and strata bodies.
Since then the residents have collaborated with Sydney hospitality experts Five Foot One Design to develop an alternative proposal which reduced the developer’s original plan by about one-third.
Mr Cochrane, an architect and spokesman for the objectors, said it was council policy that councillors may not meet with persons interested in a development proposal until the application report was published on the council meeting agenda.
“This means that anyone opposing an application may only have as little as one business day in which to speak to councillors prior to a decision being made.
“Objectors to the hotel have been well aware of the limitations of this policy and of its potential to shut down public debate on development proposals.”
He showed Noosa Today an email sent by objectors on February 14 to Mr Waters asking for assurance that they would have the opportunity to speak to all councillors before a decision was made.
“….. we respectfully request once again:
• That the application noted above be referred to the Planning and Environment Committee meeting prior to its listing on the General Committee meeting agenda (we understand that this may mean referring the item to the June round of meetings); and
• That Council ensure we, as interested parties, have access to all Councillors at some time between the publication of the agenda for the application noted above and the General Committee or Ordinary meeting at which the application will be considered.
We believe that this issue is central to both the proper conduct of the development process and the perception of Council as an open and engaging entity.”
Mr Cochrane said: “We didn’t get as reply from Mr Waters until May 8 in spite of several requests.
“In his reply Mr Waters said: “As Chief Executive Officer of Noosa Shire Council, I can advise you of the following decisions I have made.
• The matter will be considered by the full Council at the General Committee Meeting on the 15th of May and decided upon by the Council at the Ordinary Meeting on the 18th of May.
• This is an operational decision to ensure the full Council has the opportunity to consider and discuss at the General Committee.
• In relation to access to Councillors, this is a matter for yourselves to organise once the General Committee agenda has been released…”
Mr Cochrane said this left objectors to the hotel with limited time to arrange meetings with busy councillors.
“Normally there are three meetings at which an application may be mentioned, the Planning and Environment Committee, the General Committee and the Ordinary Meeting, the last being where the actual decision is made.
“If a matter bypasses the Planning and Environment Committee meeting, it will go to the General Committee meeting. This has the effect of reducing the time period during which the community may speak to their elected representatives.
“Clearly, in the case of a controversial development such as the Noosa Springs Hotel, the longer the community has to communicate its concern the better for our democracy.”
There was good reason to have an open discussion with councillors on this controversial application, he said.
“The proposal seeks to build a hotel on land zoned as open space and recreation land under the Noosa Plan 2020.
“Opponents say there are many irregularities and inconsistencies in the application and that impacts on the local environment are extensive and unmitigated.
“We understand the need to limit undue influence on councillors as they make important and complex decisions. However, the interests of the Noosa community must be more effectively integrated into council’s decision making.
“There can be no limits placed on communication and discussion in dealing with our built environment. The greater good will be served if councillors can speak directly to those so immediately affected by their decisions.”
He said council should consider again the words from the newly issued Noosa Corporate Plan:
“We remain committed to hearing and responding to the collective voices of our community.
This Corporate Plan outlines not only a collective vision but also provides a strong commitment from Council. It has an outward focus, putting the community at the forefront of all decision making.
“At our plan’s core is a commitment to making sure Noosa remains a great place to live, work and visit and where community comes first.”
