By Margaret Maccoll
The value of views of vegetation to the sea seen by motorists travelling along David Low Way at Castaways Beach has been put forward as one of several reasons for Noosa Council to reject an urban subdivision.
Councillors agreed on Monday to reject an application by Kenlynn Pty Ltd for a six lot subdivision at 2 David Low Way, Castaways Beach due in part to its “unacceptable impacts on the visual amenity and character of the area”.
The applicant told council an environmental assessment concluded “the site was degraded, had a high level of weed infestations, significant exotic plantings and limited vegetation worthy of retention apart from the northern section of the site”.
They proposed clearing of about 62 per cent of the site due to UXO clearance requirements and the use of only low growing vegetation for fire protection and stormwater management.
Council’s report found the proposal was an overdevelopment of the site, was contrary to the Overall and Specific Outcomes of the Eastern Beaches Locality Code of the Noosa Plan and the proposed clearing was contrary to the Locality Code and Biodiversity code.
A traffic engineers report showed the proposal did not demonstrate it provided a safe access in accordance with required standards and the engineer could not see a solution to the problem.
Mayor Tony Wellington said Council had a long and proud history of limiting urban development on the ocean strip while Councillor Brian Stockwell said he was confident the ratepayers would like them to defend the area from the proposed development.
Council will officiate their decision at its Ordinary Meeting this evening.
