The LNP on Monday announced they would “put the brakes on Labor’s approval of a 195-unit, six storey development, which was foisted on the community, in spite of strong local objection and a lack of community and council consultation” but Labor said LNP voted for the SFD laws.
Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said she welcomed the LNP commitment to ensure any development was compliant with Noosa’s planning scheme which followed her calls on the State Facilitated Development (SFD) applications.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie criticised the Labor Government’s failure to consult with Noosa Council and the local community before they progressed developments to a next stage of assessment.
“The LNP is committed to delivering affordable housing across Queensland, but we have consistently said our plan to provide more housing will be delivered in collaboration with local councils and the community housing sector,” Mr Bleijie said.
However Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlan said the LNP voted for these laws and now they were backtracking.
“What they are promising is already part of the process – the next stage involves further consultation with both council and the community as well as assessment against the local planning scheme,” Ms Scanlan said.
“We need more homes, especially affordable ones – for our frontline workers, our teachers, hospitality workers and young families.“
Mr Bleijie said the Premier and Labor have left Noosa residents in the dark and taken it upon themselves to push ahead with a 195-unit development in Noosa Junction and a further 40-unit development in Tewantin without any discussion with council and completely disregarding the community.
“The Independent Member for Noosa has demonstrated she is completely powerless to change the situation and has failed to stop this development, only the LNP will stop this development and ensure the community and council are consulted with plans for the future of this site,” Mr Bleijie said.
Ms Bolton completely rejected this, saying it was “totally incorrect, as the LNP announcement itself is testimony to the power of an independent Noosa”.
“The LNP announcement came after the stance I took from the beginning when I opposed the legislation that they supported, and the ‘vague’ responses from their candidate,” Ms Bolton said.
“Being Independent has led to this announcement, and remaining so will ensure that any party making election commitments such as these will be held to account and keep their word. This announcement demonstrates more than ever why we need to remain Independent, as when we have had an LNP government and sitting LNP MP previously, they closed our TAFE without community consultation and took away funds dedicated to replacing the dangerous Six Mile Bridge#7.
“Noosa deserves more than last minute campaign flip flops, ‘carrot dangling’ and commitments of funding already in existence. Both parties need to state they will not exceed the building heights within the amended Noosa 2020 plan, as well commit to other Noosa priorities that they have avoided including an end to commercial development and unsustainable management of Noosa National Parks. In addition, action all recommendations from the Youth Justice inquiry, and stop their ‘hoodwinking’ of voters through those postal vote applications that look like they are from the ECQ and are not.
“Noosa’s independence is our greatest strength. We are in an enviable position to call out the failings on both sides with credibility, hold them to account on any issue, and put parties on notice as we have done.”
LNP candidate for Noosa Clare Stewart said the LNP had consistently given a commitment to work with councils, not dictate to them.
“The LNP has met with Noosa Council and provided certainty an LNP Government will ensure that any developments are compliant within the local planning scheme,” Ms Stewart said.
The proposal in Noosa Heads aims to deliver 195 homes, and 50 per cent of them would be affordable housing managed by a community housing provider, Ms Scanlan said.
The other proposal in Tewantin is for 40 homes and 26 per cent of those, again, would be affordable housing that would be managed by a community housing provider.
