Notification has been received that the two Noosa projects that have applied under the State Facilitated Development (SFD) process are now progressing to Stage two. Sandy has called for the community to remain focused on the details that have now been provided, even though they are still insufficient, and make a submission once consultation opens and she said she will broadcast dates as soon as they are available.
Sandy’s Question Without Notice (QWN) in Parliament on Thursday 12 September, sought a halt to the SFD process until detailed information became available to Noosa Council and residents on which to base their feedback, and for Government to not override local planning provisions.
The updated information now provided includes building heights of five to six storeys for Noosa Junction and three to four storeys for Tewantin, which is one to two storeys higher than what is in Noosa Council’s amendments to the Noosa Plan 2020. This goes against what our community, through its planning scheme, has decreed is acceptable.
Sandy, having spoken in Parliament during a Private Member’s Statement about the importance of communities not being overridden, has reiterated again the failings in this process, and how it has not done justice to anyone, including the applicants.
Having fought for genuine affordable housing for our workers and families for some seven years, this process should have been similar to Ministerial Infrastructure Designations (MID’s) where state government first sits with local governments to ‘hash out’ the projects and negotiate for an outcome that benefits all prior to community consultation.
Sandy remains adamant that whichever government comes to power after the October election must sit down with Noosa Council before making any determinations. The legislation that facilitated this development pathway was supported by both the Opposition and the Government with Noosa’s Independent MP being one of the only MPs to oppose.
Ultimately, it is residents, businesses and local governments who must deal daily with the fallout from poor or rushed decision making, including impacts to our economy, infrastructure and liveability. We need affordable accommodations for our residents, and Sandy has no doubt that this can be achieved by state working together with our community, not overriding it by broad agenda driven policy.
Further detail on both proposals can be found on the SFD website at www.planning.qld.gov.au/planning-framework/development-assessment/state-facilitated-development.
The Minister has outlined that the applicants of the two developments are now required to lodge a detailed development application to the new State Facilitated Development Department for assessment within forty business days.
Sandy is urging everyone to stay engaged, and when the full consultation opens, to submit. She will post information to her Facebook page and by subscribing to her newsletter via www.SandyBolton.com/Newsletters you will get a notification to your inbox.
In a recent media statement, Sandy said the following.
“Complacency is not an option, and should your voices go unheard, we will take them via busloads to the front of Parliament House.”
“Local planning decisions need to be made in Noosa not Brisbane. Changes like these remind us why it is so important to remain vigilant and independent of statewide political party agendas. This is what makes our community so special, as well unique beyond our natural attributes.”
Further information
For more information on Noosa Council planning and housing strategy, visit www.noosa.qld.gov.au/planning-development/home. To contact the Noosa Councillors, please find their information at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/927/contact-list-councillors.
Our previous Noosa 360 update on the SFD can be found at www.sandybolton.com/state-facilitated-development-process-housing-availability-and-affordability-planning-and-other-legislation-amendment-act-2024-may-2024
Updates on many local matters are available on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. To receive information straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters. This also ensures you receive any future Noosa related surveys or polls.