Noosa Plan 2020 Amendments
On 18 September 2025, Council adopted Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020, which commenced 26 September 2025.
Amendment No.2 implements the recommendations of Noosa Housing Strategy(PDF, 2MB) and Short-term Accommodation Monitoring Report(PDF, 6MB). The amendment 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.
- Increase 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.
The amendment was publicly notified from 31 May to August 2024, during which 475 submissions were received. All submissions were considered at Council’s Special meeting on 12 December 2024. A full summary of submissions and Council’s responses can be viewed in the (PDF, 4MB)Consultation Report(PDF, 4MB) and for further information on Amendment No.2 view the YourSay page.