At the FoN AGM this morning (16 December) members were reminded that the Sunshine Coast Regional Council has extended the period for submissions on the new planning scheme until 31 December (although their website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au still refers to the old deadline of 7 December).

The new Sunshine Coast planning scheme is crucial for the future of Noosa.  The former Noosa planning scheme is what maintained the so-called "population cap", kept out highrise etc.

So please send your views on the future of Noosa to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Technically, you will be commenting on the document "Planning for  a Sustainable Sunshine Coast - A Statement of Proposals".  Making a submission may seem bureaucratic but it is important.  The SCRC staff count the submissions and a small number from Noosa will  be interpreted as an indication that people are OK with amalgamation.

There is no need to write a long email and your own words are best but you may wish to draw on the following:

Noosa is one of the most desirable places in the world to live. This status has been achieved as a result of good fortune in terms of climate, amenity and natural resources and good management in terms of how consecutive generations have cared for the place and developed a set of community values and planning principles.

This community vision has been crystallised into planning schemes, which managed how Noosa developed.

In view of all that, I support a planning scheme based on “carrying capacity”, defined in Council's documents as “the population that can be supported indefinitely by its supporting systems”, and with a capacity to provide for new development that meets our requirements for economic, environmental and social sustainability.

However, I am concerned that the Statement of Proposals completely lacks local policy positions for the various localities across the Sunshine Coast, such as Noosa's Eastern Beaches, Cooroy, Noosa Heads, Pomona etc. It is essential for the character of the former Noosa Shire that this local "look and feel" be maintained, not lost in a search for "harmonisation".

Maintenance of this character is crucial not only for residents but also for the tourists who support the local economy.  Tourists come to Noosa because it is different from the higher-density feel of other resorts - not better, just different.

Thus it is very important that there be extensive community consultation before the draft planning scheme is submitted to the State Government, sometime in 2010.  Good planning schemes will come from a full understanding of community wishes. They include measures that:

• Ensure that the key drivers of development (population) cap be unchanged - urban development footprint, population densities and building heights
• Continue to encourage good design outcomes including acknowledging a 'village' scale and signage
• Continue with a centres strategy that avoids any larger scale shopping complexes and avoids any freestanding centres competing with existing business centres
• Encourages further sustainability outcomes in new developments
• Roads are generally 2 lanes with limited sections of 4 lanes; and roundabouts preferred to traffic lights
• Encourages a robust economy that is developed in a way that complements a vibrant community and conservation of our outstanding environment.

We know this is a busy time but making a submission will be a few minutes well spent.

Jim Berardo
President
Friends of Noosa