In this acronym-laden time, SFD is one that Noosa residents should be particularly aware of.
It stands for State Facilitated Development, but it could just as easily represent Shortcuts For Developers.
You don’t have to live next door to be alarmed by plans for a massively over-scale plan for a four storey apartment block in central Tewantin, which – if it proceeded – would blow a large hole in our Noosa Plan, encouraging other developers to form a line to this very convenient shortcut.
With a last-minute election promise from the LNP, Noosa voters thought they had heard the last of this application and another one for high rise apartments in Noosa Junction, but it seems the State Government has decided to test the water and see how many residents actually object by the deadline of March 10th.
These are some of the talking points raised by a coalition of local community groups.
The proposed development does not comply with the current Noosa Plan and amendments in regard to building height, number of storeys, plot ratio, site cover and setbacks. The bulk and scale are not in-keeping with the character values of Tewantin.
- The proposed development significantly exceeds long-established height limits in the Tewantin urban area of 2 storeys and 8 metres. The proposal reaches twice those limits at 4 storeys and 15 metres.
- Noosa Council has previously demonstrated that it can provide sites for affordable housing where developments can be built that comply with the planning scheme. The need for this development must therefore be questioned.
- The proposal suggests that it can provide just 11 units at $799,000 or less, yet there is no guarantee from a registered Community Housing Provider that this will be the outcome.
- Noosa Shire’s history of low-key development has resulted in a unique locale. Noosa is a jewel in Queensland’s tourism crown. Noosa’s brand is reliant upon the differences that define Noosa. Those differences result from careful town planning, an avoidance of big city symbols such as high-rise buildings, a village feel, and infrastructure that is in-keeping with the natural environment. We expect the Queensland Government to respect Noosa’s points of difference and ensure that any development in the shire meets the dictates of a planning scheme that was developed in consultation with the community.
You can help protect the Noosa Town Plan and Noosa’s point of difference by making your submission here.
This Post Has 3 Comments
Ric, it’s a process that has to be gone through before rejection can occur.
Developer has lodged inappropriate application – in that it’s against Noosa planning scheme.
He is within his rights. Fees are waived I believe so doesn’t cost him to have a go as a test case.
State cannot reject unless they have an application. It’s that simple.
There’s no intervention stage that allows applications to be rejected otherwise. They need to be assessed against our planning scheme now due to legislative changes.
State planners work with Noosa Council staff on this together.
No other way around it. Shouldn’t take too long seeing it’s called a fast track system.
It’s not the State Government testing the water Ric. Nobody can prevent development applications. State or Council.
It’s my opinion that:
The LNP Commitment will be honoured to ensure SFDs comply with Noosa Planning Scheme after Clare Stewart worked hard to obtain it and the Mayor Wilkie negotiated Commitment in writing – signed by Deputy Premier – after calling meeting in his office.
It’s the developer trying to get around Noosa Planning scheme, not following Council staff guidelines and just giving it a go as a test case.
Changes to legislation enables State to reject it on basis it doesn’t comply.
I fully expect this LNP Commitment along with legislative changes will protect our planning scheme.
Thanks Barbara. Our understanding is that the state introduced legislation that would allow them to refuse or amend SFD applications, but they have not exercised that prerogative…leaving us to go through this process. We certainly expect the government to honour its commitment to support the Noosa Planning Scheme, but as Noosa was ‘carved out’ of this SFD free-for-all, it’s a pity the bureaucratic wheels are still grinding through this application.