Following consultation and submissions from many in the Noosa community and Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP, the Queensland Government have released the final Shaping South- East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan 2023.
“Pleasingly, many of our concerns surrounding the draft have been addressed, including around mandatory requirements. In addition, that secondary dwellings have now been included as part of the housing stock amount which will assist in the need for diversity in housing options,” Sandy said.
“However, whether using the 2046 prediction of some 5,000 more residents than the top end projection for 2041 by the Queensland Government Statistician’s office, or the 900 extra dwellings required by 2046 in this Plan from what was required by 2041 in the 2017 Plan, there must be appropriate initiatives to ensure the amenity of residents and visitor experience is enhanced. This is especially important with recent, planned and further projected increases to our south which will also impact on the Noosa region” Sandy said.
Whilst supporting the State Government’s efforts for 20 per cent of new homes in SEQ being social and affordable, including the much-needed community housing for Noosa as Sandy has been advocating for, she remains concerned that the term ‘affordable’ can be misconstrued, leading to unaffordable offerings.
“We have all seen developments labeled as ‘affordable’ which are not, with subsidisation being one of the only methods to ensure low-income workers have access to housing. This I have raised multiple times via our Housing Action Group formed in 2020 and subsequent Noosa Council Housing Stakeholder Reference Group, which fed into Noosa Council’s Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Strategy,” she said.
“We must have the tools to ensure any affordable options are just that. As well for secondary dwellings such as granny flats and tiny homes to be utilized for long term accommodations, not short-term letting.”
Even though clarification is required on a couple of outstanding items as mentioned in their October Noosa 360 update, Sandy currently feels reassured that Noosa Council through its Housing Supply Statement and work with state government will see these resolved.
“As I have stated previously, local governments require flexibility to determine how best to manage their planning schemes as they are better placed to know their community’s needs. Overarching state government policy with a ‘one size fits all’ approach does not work. It has been a positive to see that we have been heard, with customization achieved, and I thank Noosa Council staff for their work alongside the state government team,” she said.
With two decades ahead of us in which to ensure that the projected population increase by 2046 is addressed appropriately, Sandy said there has been a number of ways touted to offset impacts including share car developments and carless visitations.
“This all requires innovation, vision and commitment, with improved public transport options and greater connectivity for walking and bike riding which all require proper investment from governments,” she said
Having advocated for years on a number of these including a rail service to connect to the Brisbane services, Sandy was pleased funding was secured for Department of Transport & Main Roads (TMR) to open consultation on a Northern Sunshine Coast Transport Strategy, and encourages all residents to submit to this, as it focuses on better connecting Noosa to our south including commutes to Brisbane and beyond.
“This is especially important given the additional strains put on our networks with the Brisbane Olympic Games just 8 years away” she said.
“We also recently funded an analysis of existing walking and bike pathways to identify where improvements are needed, especially road crossings through our Seeds for Change Grants with the results provided to both Noosa Council and TMR to assist in their planning,” she said.
For updates on state government matters Sandy is working on visit SandyBolton.com/Noosa360 or subscribe to her monthly newsletter at SandyBolton.com/Newsletters.
