Sunshine Coast Council is proposing further amendments to the planning scheme. With public consultation closing at 4.30pm THIS Friday 7 September 2018, there’s only a few days left to get your submission in.
Here’s our summary of the proposed changes:
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. Click here to see maps of the land parcels affected.
These amendments aim to better reflect future land uses or character considerations, and correct mapping anomalies. Some examples include:
- Subdivisions in the Low Density Residential zone in the Gloucester Road South precinct (Buderim) or the Homestead Drive precinct (Caloundra West) will require impact assessment (currently code)
- The protected housing area overlay is proposed to be added to Low Density Residential properties in Landsborough, effectively restricting future duplexes
- A Warehouse (where for the storage or caravans, boats, recreational vehicles and the like) will become accepted development in the Low and Medium Impact Industry Zones
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BUILDING HEIGHT INCREMENTS
The planning scheme currently has 19 different height categories, which will be reduced to 12 categories under this amendment. In cases where a height increment is removed, the next highest height increment will apply (i.e. properties in the 11m height limit become 12m, while properties in the 23m limit, become 25m). The only exception will be properties in the 13m and 19m height category, which will be reduced to 12m and 18m respectively.
The table below shows the existing height categories, and the impact the amendment will have on each.
MORE HEIGHT FOR SCHOOLS, RETIREMENT VILLAGES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
This amendment proposes greater building heights for schools (educational establishments), typically from 8.5m (2 storeys) to 12m or 15m (depending on location). This will allow sufficient height for sports stadiums and assembly halls, plus multi-level buildings, as required.
For retirement and aged care facilities, building heights will also be increased to 12m or 15m (location dependent). If adopted, it will allow for more efficient vertical retirement and aged care buildings (between three to five storeys in height).
SECONDARY DWELLINGS (GRANNY FLATS)
The humble granny flat will be subject to new and tighter requirements. The key changes are:
- In an Urban Zone, the site will need to be a “traditional lot”
- 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, electricity) are shared for both dwellings as well as a single mail box 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
DENSITY IN SOME RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Density in the Medium Density Residential Zone will be linked to building heights. That is, the greater the building height, the higher the allowable density. The MINIMUM density for land where building height is greater than 8.5m, will be not less than 50 equivalent dwellings per hectare. There will be 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 will be INCREASED to 80 equivalent dwellings per hectare (from 50 ED/ha).
For more details on the proposed changes, go to council’s website, or call us. Remember, SUBMISSIONS CLOSE at 4.30pm on Friday 7 September 2018, so don’t delay.