Community concerns over the environmental value of land at Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach, the survival of Glossy Black Cockatoos, bushfire threats and a shortage of social housing has led Noosa councillor Brian Stockwell to propose planning scheme amendments that will impact an aged care development.
The proposal comes after Uniting Care submitted a Material Change of Use application for an extension on the construction of their proposed 102-bed aged care facility on Lot 6 on the north side of the street and residential care facility on Lot 9 across the road, and years of local protests.
Cr Stockwell proposes Council consider zoning map changes, remove the listing of residential care facility on Lot 9 and add social housing use to the listing of residential care facility on Lot 6.
In his proposal, Cr Stockwell said there had been no formal opportunity for public comment since the initial development application was approved 10 years ago and there was growing concern in regard to the threats to the Glossy Black Cockatoo which is listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act. The species is being considered this month for listing under the Australian Government Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act because the threatening processes (fire, climate change and habitat loss) have resulted in alarming species decline nationally.
In 2007-2011 when the ecological assessments and approval for the aged care and retirement village was given, the site was not mapped by the state as Essential Habitat for species of conservation significance, but it was now, Cr Stockwell said.
Previous ecological assessment has identified 71 feed trees of the Glossy Black Cockatoo (Allocasuarina littoralis) on Lot 9 with records of up to 40 birds coming to feed, drink and rear their young in the locality and glossies using Lot 6 and Lot 9 for more than 20 years with its significance increasing as other habitat has been cleared for urban development.
Cr Stockwell said Noosa Council’s Environment Strategy had a clear target that “by 2030, populations of key threatened indicator species remain viable,” and specifically commits us to act through the planning scheme to achieve this aim.
Since the 2019-2020 bushfire season there is also heightened community concerns about the bushfire hazards to communities adjoining the Noosa National Park as a result of our changing climate creating conditions that are forecast to lead to more frequent extreme hazards.
“Council’s Bushfire Hazard Mapping rates a large portion of Lot 9 on Grasstree Court as having a high bushfire hazard and it is contiguous with the Girraween section of the Noosa National Park which has a history of human induced wildfires,“ he said.
Council’s Climate Response Plan commits us to taking measures to “be a well informed and prepared community that considers climate change in making day-to-day and business decisions” and clearly identifies the increased risk from bushfires, he said.
The applicant (Blue Care) proposes 102 residential aged care beds on Lot 6, however, currently hold no place allocations for the site. Construction has not commenced and there is ongoing community protest about future development of the site.
In 2021 Noosa Shire Council recognised the Shire as being gripped by a housing crisis, which was having a significant social and economic impact on the community, he said.
“The current situation demands a rethink about priorities for available Community Facilities Zoned land and Council owned properties as is currently occurring as part of the development of the Housing Strategy,“ Cr Stockwell says in his proposal.
“I believe it is important that Council ensures the Planning Scheme adequately reflects the community’s aspirations for the future, their desire for involvement in the development application process and the current ‘planning need’ for social housing in the area.
“While there are potential sites within the locality to accommodate new aged care facilities, there is very limited supply of Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat.
“Considering the high conservation value and bushfire hazard ratings on Lot 9 on the south side of the street it is proposed that the current scheduled use be removed. This would mean that future applications for the vast majority of community uses would require Impact Assessment which triggers the advertising for public comment and appeal rights for submitters.
“Further, considering the current largely cleared status of Lot 6 on the north side of the street it may be suitable for a broader range of community facilities. It would be desirable to increase the scope of Code Assessable uses on that site to include a range of social housing options. This would allow for greater flexibility on this allotment should the current approval not proceed with the potential to help meet the current critical demand for social housing in the shire.“
