AN APPLICATION to gain short-term accommodation (STA) status for two units in a dual-occupancy property in Noosa Heads has been narrowly voted down at Noosa Council.

The Angler St site, off Viewland Drive, sits in a medium-density residential neighbourhood that is predominantly used for STAs.

But the staff recommendation to refuse the application said “the introduction of additional short-term accommodation within a duplex unit is not consistent with the zone’s outcome to maintain the area as predominantly home to permanent residents”.

“The proposal seeks to establish a new short-term visitor accommodation facility within a recently approved dual occupancy and is not located within a well-established resort or holiday units,” it continued.

The development will include a total of five car park spaces, including visitors’.

Angler St already has six STA approvals out of 23 residences, while surrounding streets have a similar percentage.

Staff provided a map indicating the location of the STAs but indicated it did not include STAs prior to 2016, nor those approved after April 2020.

Cr Amelia Lorentson said the Noosa Plan allowed for STAs in medium-density residential areas, and asked if the Plan had received a change of policy, referring to the council’s recently tabled Housing Needs report.

“The [planning] scheme requires that medium density must remain majority permanent residents,” council’s development assessment manager Kerri Coyle said.

“The housing study was just a study; it does not include changes to the planning scheme.

“That will come in March this year.”

Cr Lorentson also asked if any similar refusals based on the same grounds were due to be appealed in the Planning and Environment Court, Ms Coyle confirming there were two.

Cr Joe Jurisevic proposed the motion to support the staff recommendation to refuse the application, Cr Tom Wegener seconding. The vote was Crs Jurisevic, Wegener, Stockwell and Wilkie in favour; Crs Stewart, Lorentson and Finzel voting against.