The Sunshine Coast Council has adopted further amendments to the Sunshine Coast planning scheme. These amendments took effect on 11 November 2019. The amendments include changes to zoning designations for certain properties, increased building height for schools and retirement villages, changes to density provisions and further amendments to provisions relating to secondary dwellings.
AMENDMENTS TO ZONES, OVERLAYS AND/OR PRECINCTS FOR SOME PROPERTIES
There are 19 different areas affected by this amendment, including dozens of properties in Gloucester Road Buderim, Landsborough, Little Mountain and Dicky Beach. Some examples include:
- Subdivisions in the Low Density Residential zone in the Gloucester Road South precinct (Buderim) or the Homestead Drive precinct (Caloundra West) now require impact assessment (previously code);
- The protected housing area overlay has been added to Low Density Residential properties in Landsborough, effectively restricting future duplexes in this area;
- A Warehouse (where for the storage or caravans, boats, recreational vehicles and the like) is now accepted development in the Low and Medium Impact Industry Zones.
REDUCTIONS TO THE NUMBER OF BUILDING HEIGHT INCREMENTS
The planning scheme previously had 19 different height categories. These have been reduced to 11. In cases where a height increment has been removed, the next highest height increment has generally been applied (i.e. properties that were in the 11m height limit now have a 12m height limit, while properties that had a 23m height limit, now have a 25m height limit).
MORE HEIGHT FOR SCHOOLS, RETIREMENT VILLAGES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
The amendment provides greater building heights for schools (educational establishments), typically from 8.5m (2 storeys) to 12m or 15m (depending on location). This will allow additional height for sports stadiums and assembly halls and multi-level buildings, as required.
For retirement and aged care facilities, building heights have also been increased to 12m or 15m (location dependent). This allows for more efficient vertical retirement and aged care buildings (between three to five storeys in height).
DENSITY IN SOME RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Density in the Medium Density Residential Zone is now linked to building heights. The greater the building height, the higher the allowable density. The preferred density for land where building height is greater than 8.5m, is now 50 – 80 equivalent dwellings per hectare. There is no change to sites where an 8.5m height limit applies (i.e. 30-50 ED/ha).
- Density in the High Density Residential, Tourist Accommodation and Major Centre Zones has been increased to not less than 80 equivalent dwellings per hectare (from 50 ED/ha).
SECONDARY DWELLINGS (GRANNY FLATS)
Secondary dwellings are now subject to new and tighter “deemed to comply” requirements. The key changes are:
- If the Secondary dwelling is freestanding, the acceptable outcome states it must be within 20m of the main house
- Specification that single utility connections (water and wastewater) are shared for both dwellings as well as a single mail box, street number and driveway
- In the Caloundra Local Plan Area, the maximum gross floor area of a granny flat is reduced to 45m² (currently 60m²) with a height limit of 4 metres
For further explanation please contact Project Urban on 5443 2844.