By JOLENE OGLE
TWO of Noosa’s leading community bodies have slammed the Noosa Civic expansion plans claiming the extension is unwanted by the local business community and is in conflict with the planning scheme.
Noosa Parks Association last week announced their “strong opposition” to the planned expansion stating the increase in retail space conflicts with the town planning scheme and other planning requirements.
NPA honorary secretary Ingrid Jackson said the proposed development “unacceptably diminishes and may even destroy the capacity of Noosa Civic to attain its desired form and usage”.
“Our civic leaders should insist the developers go back to the drawing board and develop a proposal more consistent with the town plan and with what will be in the best interest of the Shire,” she said.
According to the NPA, the planned form and function of the Noosa Business Centre was to include the provision of a substantial amount of non-retailing development.
“This was intended to create employment opportunities that would diversify Noosa Civic Beyond the retail sector,” Ms Jackson said.
Ms Jackson said the planned development exceeds the expected retail floor space by an additional 23,000sq m.
“This contradicts all previous and current planning for the business centre,” she said.
CCIQ Noosa have also rejected the planned Noosa Civic expansion stating a poll of their members show the small business community does not want the expansion to go ahead.
CCIQ Noosa president Sarah Fisher said a poll revealed 39 per cent of respondents support the current development application while 53 per cent said they do not support the development and the remaining respondents were unsure.
CCIQ Noosa said the majority of small business owners objected to the proposal on the grounds it did not conform with the town planning scheme, would negatively impact current retail businesses and was not supported by the wider Noosa business community.
“The proposal does not provide development for SMEs and adequate skilled employment opportunities including technology and information based employment as originally planned for the business centre,” she said.
The current development application for the Noosa Civic expansion is before Council and includes two new supermarkets, a discount store and other specialty stores.
Ms Fisher said the overall feedback by the CCIQ Noosa members and greater business community was negative and unsupportive of the current proposal.
What do you think? We would love to know your thoughts on the planned Noosa Civic expansion. Do you think Noosa needs to development to help build the local economy? Send your thoughts to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au.
