Mooloolaba’s transformation gains clarity

Sunshine Coast Council’s vision to transform Mooloolaba into a world class beach destination has taken another step forward and the community is invited to have a say on future planning intentions for the popular tourist hub.

The council is proposing a planning scheme amendment to support the community’s goals for the area and the vision to grow the economy and increase employment through well-planned development in the area.
 

Planning Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said combining innovative urban design with the area’s natural assets to enhance our lifestyle was pivotal to Mooloolaba’s future success and the proposed planning scheme amendment would help advance those goals. 
 

Four key sites have been included in the proposed planning scheme amendment: the Club Eatery site (opposite the Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club); the Brisbane Road carpark site; properties in First Ave, between Meta St and Venning St; and properties in the Walan, Muraban and Smith Sts precinct where a new Mooloolaba Heart is proposed to be established.

“The Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan, developed after years of community and stakeholder consultation and adopted by council in December 2015, will deliver a world class beachfront destination at Mooloolaba,” Cr Dickson said

“To help achieve this, it will be critical to attract and deliver a five-star international standard accommodation hotel development at the Club Eatery site which requires additional floor area and building height.

“The proposed heights at that Club Eatery site are comparable to those of other buildings in the Mooloolaba Tourism precinct.

“Additional proposed road, pedestrian and cycle linkages will also enhance movement and connections.”

Divisional councillor John Connolly said now that the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project had been given State and Commonwealth Government ticks of approval, the region needed five-star hotels to accommodate an emerging new market.

“The redevelopment of the Club Eatery site at Mooloolaba is just one of a number of sites which will attract increased numbers of tourists in that market,” Cr Connolly said.

“It is incumbent upon the council to ensure the economy grows, that our standard of living is maintained, and that we remain a healthy, green and liveable region.

“Well thought-out and responsible planning will create the impetus for Mooloolaba to complement projects such as Maroochydore City Centre, the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, the proposed light rail system and submarine cable, all of which are game-changing projects in their own right.”

Cr Connolly said the council undertook a two-stage consultation process to develop the master plan, winning two 2016 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) State Awards for its Mooloolaba Place Making approach and the way in which it engaged with the community to deliver quality plans and infrastructure for the region.

“Following council’s resolution to adopt and further consider the vision and recommendations of the Mooloolaba Place Making Master Plan, council identified key priority sites that needed investigation in the planning scheme process,” Cr Connolly said.

“That is what we have focused on. We have done the work and now we are putting together the proposal to reflect the required planning scheme provisions to create that vision.

“Doing nothing is not an option.”

Cr Dickson said community consultation was required when a planning scheme amendment was proposed.

“The community now has an opportunity to make submissions and all feedback will be considered by council as required under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.”

The proposed planning scheme amendment can be viewed on council’s website at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/planningscheme  or in person at any Sunshine Coast Council office at Maroochydore, Nambour and Caloundra from Monday, October 31.

Submissions are to be received no later than 4.30pm on Monday, December 9, 2016.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Southern side of First Avenue between Meta and Venning Sts

Under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, the subject land is currently included in the High density residential zone with a maximum building height of 15 metres.

It is proposed to amend the maximum building height for the subject land to 25 metres, as provided for under the former planning scheme (Maroochy Plan 2000). This is more reflective of the predominant built form along the southern side of First Ave and provides an appropriate transition in building height from the Mooloolaba Esp through to the Mooloolaba State School.

New Mooloolaba Heart street activation Walan, Muraban and Smith Sts precinct

Under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, the subject land is currently included in the High density residential zone with a maximum building height of 15 metres.

It is proposed to amend the maximum building height to reinstate the maximum acceptable building height limit of 25 metres as provided for under the former Maroochy Plan 2000.

It is also proposed to include the land fronting Walan St in a new local plan precinct to provide for business activities such as small food and drink outlets and retail uses. This will support the activation of this street frontage.

The Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan identifies Muraban/Smith St as the Heart of Mooloolaba with the intent of this area providing for high density residential and mixed use tourist accommodation and a community hub with improved pedestrian connectivity.

Club Eatery site: bounded by Burnett St and Mooloolaba and River Esps (Opposite surf club)

Under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, the Club Eatery site is currently included in the Tourist accommodation zone with a maximum building height of 37.5 metres.  This is one of the last remaining beachfront lots at Mooloolaba with significant development opportunities.

It is proposed to retain the current 37.5 metre maximum building height. However, recognising the site’s landmark location, it is proposed to include height and site cover incentives for the delivery of a five-star international standard accommodation hotel on this site.

It is intended that this would accommodate rooftop facilities, an expansive lobby, architectural elements and streetscape works.

A maximum building height of 50 metres AHD is proposed. AHD (Australian Height Datum) is a height measurement from mean sea level as opposed to a height above natural ground level of a site. The proposed amendment will result in a maximum building height on the site of between 44.5m to 47.5m from natural ground level and only where a 5 star international standard hotel is proposed.

It is also proposed to include the subject land in the Mooloolaba Hospitality Area Precinct to provide for a range of business uses such as food and drink outlets, function facilities and hotels that may operate after hours and include live music which is consistent with the outcomes sought for this key site.

Brisbane Road Carpark site

Under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 the subject land is currently included in the District centre zone and identified as a key site in the Mooloolaba/Alexandra Headland Local Plan code. This includes specific provisions for the key site’s redevelopment.

The Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan recommends relocating and consolidating car parking along the Mooloolaba foreshore into a new Brisbane Rd multi-storey car park. This will free up open space along the foreshore.

To more effectively accommodate this relocated car parking in a multi-storey format, it is proposed to increase the site cover and podium height allowances for this key site.

 

SIMPLIFIED FLOWCHART FOR MAJOR PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT PROCESS

(Statutory guideline 02/14: making and amending local planning instruments)

Steps of Process

Step 1. Council decides to make an amendment to the planning scheme.

Step 2. Council supplies a copy of the proposed amendment to the Minister, requesting formal review of State Interests.

Step 3. Minister reviews proposed amendment in conjunction with State Agencies.

Step 4. Minister advises of State requirements for the proposed amendment. Council makes any changes to proposed amendment as necessary to accommodate State interests. Minister approves proposed amendment for public notification with or without conditions.

Step 5. Council publicly notifies proposed amendment for a minimum of 30 business days (1.5 months).

Step 6. Council considers all properly made submissions on the proposed amendment, making changes to the amendment if necessary.

Step 7. Council decides whether to proceed with the proposed amendment.

Step 8. If proceeding with proposed amendment, Council supplies proposed amendment to the Minister seeking permission for adoption.

Step 9. Minister decides whether Council may adopt the proposed amendment and whether any new conditions may apply.

Step 10. Council decides whether to adopt the proposed amendment.

Step 11. Council decision announced. If proposed amendment adopted, Council commences a revised version of the planning scheme incorporating the adopted amendment.