Noosa councillors are expected to reject the Noosa Civic expansion application at their Thursday 24 September ordinary meeting with the Noosa Parks Association backing the call to scrap the development.
Noosa Parks Association (NPA) said it has backed a report by Noosa Council planning staff that recommends refusing the retail development application due to a number of issues.
In the report, council staff said the near doubling of retail space will negatively impact on the revitalisation of the Noosa Junction retail hub and also require expensive road upgrades including the installation of traffic lights.
NPA honorary secretary Ingrid Jackson said the proposal is inconsistent with town planning guidelines.
“The guidelines say any expansion should create employment opportunities that diversify Noosa Civic beyond the retail sector,” she said.
“The proposed development unacceptably diminishes the capacity of Noosa Civic to attain this desired form and usage.
“In addition, it threatens the ability of other retail areas in Noosa to renew themselves after a difficult few years during which the viability of many retail outlets has been under threat.”
Ms Jackson said NPA took the view that a sustainable community needed to be both environmentally and economically sound.
“Council planning staff have kept faith with both the Noosa Plan and the realities of the Noosa retail sector,” she said.
“At Noosa Civic, existing retail floor space already exceeds the original allowance by 23 per cent.
“Under the new proposal before the council, a near doubling would occur with an additional 23,000 square metres.
“NPA urges Noosa Council to accept the recommendations of its planning experts and reject the Queensland Investment Corporation’s proposal which fails to conform to the previously expressed wishes of the Noosa community.”
Noosa councillors were expected to refuse the application at the meeting.
There is a chance that the refusal of the development could lead to a legal challenge from the centre’s owners, Queensland Investment Corporation.
