Friday, 16 July, 2021
Thinking of selling? You know who to call
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Celebrating 65 years of marriage PAGE 8
Aunty Judi welcomes NAIDOC week
Chad STEPS up
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36-page liftout Property Guide INSIDE
PR OP ER TY
Breathtakin g Rural Prope
Noosa Alive and kicking The other-worldly realm of BOOFF created from the beautiful mind of Clint Bolster is just one of the many wonderful acts to be enjoyed during the 10-day Noosa Alive festival which kicked off last night. There are more than 25 events spread throughout the Noosa region and each event has a story, a visual attraction and, while the stage is set in Noosa’s fabulous facilities from The J Theatre to local school facilities or our famous Main Beach, the festival has something for every genre. Initiated by playwright David Williamson and his actor wife Kristin with a group of friends in 2002 as the Noosa Long Weekend Festival and rebranded as Noosa Alive, the event is an incorporated association and a not for profit organisation governed by a voluntary management committee. David and Kristin are in integral part of the fabric of the Noosa Alive festival. A cornerstone of many festivals has been a David Williamson play, this year no exception with ‘Up for Grabs’. Like every other year since its inception the festival will this year host a dazzling array of performances including Queensland Ballet, Opera, Jazz, comedians, cabaret, circus performers, a film festival and restaurant events. To find out more visit noosaalive.com.au
The wonderful world of Booff is among the many acts on offer in Noosa Alive.
Housing crisis By Margaret Maccoll
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At an emotive meeting on Monday, Noosa Councillors voted to call on the State Government to gain approval to call a halt to providing property owners in medium and high density residential zones future approvals to use their properties for short-term accommodation (STA). With a General Meeting agenda that included four applications for STAs in medium or high density residential zones, Cr Amelia Lorentson proposed council write to the Minister for permission to make a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to make STA an inconsistent use in those zones. Cr Lorentson said the reason behind the request was that STAs were depleting the housing supply for permanent residents and posing
a “significant risk of serious adverse economic and social conditions in Noosa Shire”. Council officers are currently updating the Noosa Council Housing Needs’ Assessment prepared in 2017 by Briggs & Mortar Pty Ltd. The housing needs’ assessment is expected to provide information on the supply of housing for permanent residents, the impacts STA has on this supply and inform the assessment of future development applications for STA. While the housing needs’ assessment is still a few months from completion, housing shortages were described at the meeting as having reached a crisis situation after an unexpected influx of residents caused by a Covid-migration trend. There has been a 23 per cent increase in residents to the coastal areas of Noosa Shire,
officers said. “We have a housing availability crisis.” Cr Tom Wegener said council needed to act and questioned whether they already had the ability to do so. “We have the planning scheme. We have information. Do we have the tools to get this job done?” he asked. Officers said there was sufficient information in the planning scheme to refuse applications. “Noosa is one of the most desirable places to live. We have good amenity, good planning principles. We respect the community and have done a good job planning. We’ve had a huge influx of residents.,” Cr Wegener said “The circumstances have changed. There’s a tipping point. STA doesn’t meet our strategic outcomes. We have the tools to change it. It’s our job to step up and say this has changed.”
Cr Brian Stockwell said the housing shortage right now was the worst in Noosa’s history. He said there had been 340 STA applications since the 2020 Noosa Plan was introduced. “None of these applications are for key workers, low income workers or the elderly,” he said. Noosa chief executive officer Brett de Chastel said council’s draft law for STA under its Noosa Plan 2020 was under a two-year trial period required by the State Government. He said the housing needs’ assessment review could be used as a precursor to move it forward. Council heard there were 10-15 STA applications in various stages of progress in addition to the four applications before them. Conitinued page 5