An independent report into Noosa’s housing situation will be commissioned by Noosa Council.
The request for a “detailed, independent, data-driven analysis on potential short, medium and long term solutions“ to an identified “housing crisis“ in Noosa, in part due to an increased migration since Covid of almost 50 per cent, won unanimous support at last Thursday’s Ordinary Meeting.
The move followed Monday meeting’s vote to write to the state government for permission to make a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to make short-term accommodation an inconsistent use in medium and high density residential zones.
On Monday Cr Amelia Lorentson said the reason behind the request was that STAs were depleting the housing supply for permanent residents and posing a “significant risk of serious adverse economic and social conditions in Noosa Shire”.
On Thursday Mayor Clare Stewart said it was fundamental to obtain empirical data from industry, experts and government partners to find what was really going on in the housing market.
Where is the evidence STA has any impact on housing, what are the impacts to visitors, tourism, she said.
“We can’t assume it if we don’t know,“ she said.
“This is no time to make any policy on the run.
“We can’t fix this crisis on our own, it needs a lot more money from state and federal governments, but we are facing a housing emergency that is having an impact on the economy, on our businesses and affecting the liveability of our communities.“
Cr Brian Stockwell said while the responsibility of housing rested with higher levels of government, council’s involvement in community housing was new.
Cr Stewart acknowledged it was not council’s space but, in addition to advocating for more investment from state and federal governments, it was a space they needed to be in.
Council has been investigating options for community and emergency housing on community land to target the most affected demographics such as hospitality, health and other essential workers.
Cr Stewart said the independent report would investigate whether to supplement the ongoing research into this issue ahead of mid-term planning scheme amendments by also engaging an independent consultant to conduct an extensive 360 review of Noosa’s housing situation, collate existing data and conduct further analysis.
The report would consider whether adopting a Temporary Local Planning Instrument could help facilitate secondary dwelling units in appropriate locations, she said.
It will also investigate Ministerial condition requirements for the Noosa Plan 2020 relating to short term accommodation.
“It’s important to have the empirical research and conduct further consultation with key stakeholders before making any decisions,” she said.
Cr Stewart said all councillors acknowledged the current housing crisis was the worst in Noosa’s history.
“Apart from the already commissioned research being done, this report will provide us with a plan, identify potential solutions and give us the data and possible interim policy responses to address the shortage of housing availability in the short, medium and long term.”
Councillors have asked for the report to include a myriad of options in the hope it will provide a strategic process and necessary tools to help Council make informed future decisions.
“This is a global pandemic issue, this is unheralded, and it needs a committed tri-partisan approach,“ Cr Stewart said.
“We need to advocate for more state and federal government investment into social housing and we need to look at what planning opportunities are available to enhance the level of housing availability in the shire.“
