By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA Council says it hopes to put a stop to future attempts to flout the rules in relation to building setbacks along the Noosa River and in sensitive land parcels, after a waterfront home was found to be in breach of the Noosa Planning Scheme.
A measuring error in the construction of the waterfront property at Shorehaven Drive could have spelt disaster for its owners, during Noosa Council’s first general committee Meeting for 2015 on Monday.
The owners recently started construction on their home on a 722 square metre block, situated at 81 Shorehaven Drive, before a complaint was made to council.
A subsequent investigation by Noosa Council found parts of the building were in breach of the Noosa Planning Scheme, by being located too close to the Noosa River and within the required 4.5-metre setback.
Four concrete plinths, or tall pylons, which support a two-storey steel frame, are set towards the river by about 900 millimetres at the widest point and are therefore within the required 4.5-metre setback.
Noosa Council had established the 4.5-metre setback from the Noosa River following the adoption of the Noosa Planning Scheme which is based on the best information for flood measurements and issues relating to erosion.
The development application before councillors recommended the building be approved with conditions including fauna solutions to conceal the plinths and the planting of shrubs.
Councillors grilled the staff over why the building had been constructed inside the 4.5-metre setback and even posed questions around who might have been responsible for the accidental or deliberate error.
During the discussions, Councillor Bob Abbot reluctantly spoke in favour of carrying the motion while voicing his frustration.
“While there does appear to have been some deliberate or genuine mistake here, and it’s a shame council could not have picked up this issue before it was built, I believe the breach distance does not justify having to pull the building down and shift it back,” he said.
“However, the boundary line needs to be clear.”
Mayor Noel Playford agreed that it was unfavourable to contest the re-construction of the property for 900mm and whether other solutions could be found.
“The visual amenity is not that much and the required trees of up to three metres will help with the plinths,” Mayor Playford said.
Council is yet to make a final ruling on the agenda item during today’s ordinary meeting, where all final votes are made.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think the council would be right to avoid having to pull down the building and start from scratch at Shorehaven? Send your comments and letters to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
