Noosa Plan 2020
Noosa Plan 2020 was originally adopted in July 2020 and has since undergone two amendments: a minor amendment on 25 September 2020 (Amendment No. 1) and a major amendment (Amendment No. 2), which commenced on 26 September 2025.
Amendment No.2 to Noosa Plan 2020 seeks to ensure sufficient land is available for permanent residential housing and facilitates improved housing security, choice, diversity and affordability to meet the housing needs of Noosa Shire residents. It also establishes a pathway for the delivery of affordable housing and prioritises permanent residents in Residential zones and key Centre zones by restricting further short-term accommodation uses.
Key elements of the amendment include:
- Restricting future development in Medium and High Density Residential zones and most Centre zones to permanent housing, excluding short-term accommodation.
- Rezoning parts of the Tourist Accommodation zone to Residential or Centre zones to support permanent housing.
- Increasing housing diversity and choice particularly around small dwellings.
- Allowing visitor accommodation such as cabins in Rural and Rural Residential zones, provided the permanent resident remains onsite in their dwelling.
Additionally, the amendment:
- Defines clear outcomes for Noosa Business Centre as an integrated village combining diverse housing and employment opportunities.
- Establishes guidelines for development within the Innovation Zone.
- Expands allowable trading hours for food and drink outlets in the Noosa Junction Hospitality Precinct, with a new definition for amplified music.
- Supports the future of sports medicine through the creation of a health and wellbeing precinct within the Noosa District Sports Complex.
- Improves the planning scheme’s operation by correcting minor errors and ensuring consistent terminology
For further information on Amendment No. 2 go to YourSay page.
What does Noosa Plan 2020 do?
Noosa Plan 2020 provides a long-term vision to guide the growth and development of Noosa Shire through to 2040. It aims to preserve the unique character and natural beauty of Noosa while planning for a sustainable and vibrant future.
Noosa Plan 2020 addresses how we will live, work, and play by:
- Enabling a broader range of housing and business opportunities
- Supporting future transport and infrastructure needs
- Encouraging rural enterprise and innovation
- Protecting the environmental and scenic values that define Noosa’s identity
Prepared in accordance with the Planning Act 2016 and Planning Regulation 2017, Noosa Plan 2020 comprises a Strategic Framework, Local Plans, Zones and Overlays, Tables of Assessment, Development Codes, Planning Scheme Policies, and the Local Government Infrastructure Plan.
It sets out clear requirements for all forms of development, including:
- New or changing land uses
- Subdivision of land
- Building works, landscaping, and vegetation clearing
- Engineering works and infrastructure delivery
Noosa Plan 2020 is available:
You can also look up your property to explore zoning, overlays, and other planning layers using Council’s online mapping system.
To support community understanding and implementation, Council has developed a range of user guides and factsheets to help navigate the Noosa Plan 2020.