Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie has welcomed the planning minister’s decision to revoke the State Facilitated Development declaration for the proposed four-storey, 40-unit project in Tewantin.
Council was notified of the decision last Friday, marking a significant win for the local community.
“This is an impressive action, and I thank the Minister, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie for following through on his pre-election commitment to ensure SFD projects comply with the Noosa Plan,” Cr Wilkie said.
“The SFD process bypasses council and potentially allow developments of any height on any site, which if left unchecked could negatively impact the profile and liveability of Noosa forever.”
A total of 495 submissions were received from the community during the public notification period, including submissions from Council and Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.
Ms Bolton said the Minister for Planning’s decision to in effect reject the application for the proposed four-story project in Tewantin would provide relief for the community, who overwhelmingly opposed the project due to several factors including excessive height and lack of genuinely affordable units.
“There was confusion in the community as the words used in these types of applications of ‘affordable’ led some residents to believe this would address our ongoing need for affordable housing for our key industry workers, which is not the case,” she said.
“As I said when I opposed the SFD legislation in April 2024, there is a need for realistic, genuine thresholds of eligibility, and the current criteria of below $799,000 is insufficient and needs to be tightened substantially.”
Ms Bolton thanked the Mr Bleijie for his previous reassurances regarding and for this decision, demonstrating a commitment to Noosa. She looks forward to seeing upcoming projects where developers are working collaboratively with Noosa Council being realised, including the state-owned Doonella Street site.
“All levels of government understand the importance of delivering genuine affordable housing, and after years of inaction, then overreach through the SFDs, may we move to a space where projects that have ticked the planning scheme boxes swiftly move forward,” said Ms. Bolton.
With state government advising the Noosa MP that the Doonella Street project will not commence until the 2026/27 year, given this has now been three (3) years in the pipeline, there is a need to fast track this housing.
“Our new government has committed to addressing the issues that contribute to long delays in deliverables, and I can see no reason that sites nearly ready to go should not be prioritised. The review of the eligibility criteria for social and community housing also needs to be completed.”
“In addition, initiatives including projects for transitional accommodation for our workers until permanent housing is completed, need to be funded to alleviate the domino effect that our housing crisis has delivered, which has included an inability to secure needed staff,” said Ms. Bolton.
In the revocation notice, the minister labelled that there was significant community opposition to the application, including excessive height, the scale wasn’t in keeping with the village character of Tewantin and potential traffic congestion impacts at the Sidoni St- Ponciana Ave intersection.
Deputy Premier Blejie also raised the lack of reassurance that the affordable units were truly affordable.
Ms Bolton, in efforts to prevent further misleading applications, asked a Question on Notice (QON) recently in Parliament on whether the Government would review and revise the SFD legislation and regulations including the definitions for ‘affordability’ to deliver outcomes in line with community needs, with the answer due 11 April 2025.
“We thank the community for remaining clear on their expectations and the Deputy Premier for acting on them, and again, look forward to seeing our genuinely affordable projects prioritised,” Ms Bolton said.
Cr Wilkie said council strongly supported the need for truly affordable, quality housing but it was imperative these developments respect the Noosa Plan 2020 and reflect Noosa values.
“This decision clearly shows this government is listening to local communities and aspiring to work with councils as equal partners, as pledged, to deliver outcomes the community expects,”
The revocation notice gives five business days for the applicant and council to make representations regarding the Minister’s decision before it takes effect.
“I really want to congratulate our staff for their advocacy and collaborative efforts with state, which is fundamental in delivering responsible, workable development for the community,”
Director of Development and Regulation Richard MacGillivray said the decision highlighted the important role local planning played in our community.
“We are also continuing to work closely with the state government and developer in relation to the proposed development in the Noosa Junction to achieve a positive housing outcome that aligns with the Noosa Plan and community expectations,” Director MacGillivray said.
The developer can lodge a new development application with Council, which would be assessed in accordance with the Noosa Plan 2020 requirements.
