A proposal to build a 20-bed residential disability care centre on Noosa Hill has locals concerned about impacts on their amenity and nearby wildlife.
If approved, the high care accommodation facility would be operated by Youngcare which provides support for people between 18 and 65.
Neighbour Michael Byrne said his accommodation complex’s body corporate was lodging an objection and he was also preparing his own submission.
The development would entail four buildings offering a mix of special disability accommodation with two onsite overnight rooms for carers.
The centre would cover 1297sq m or less than 42 per cent of the site.
Mr Byrne said the property development site was a nature refuge.
“We hear owls in there at night, we hear all sorts of animals, but what concerns me is that obviously we’re going to lose all that nature reserve,” he said.
Mr Byrne said one of his neighbours who was a physical therapist was opposed to the application as well.
“One of the reasons she’s against is this facility is in the middle of nowhere for these people,” he said.
“This is the top of Viewland Dr, they’re in wheelchairs, they’re not going to be able to get out and go into the Junction.”
Mr Byrne said the facility would be located on a blind spot in the road and the increased traffic volumes generated by the development would increase the road risk.
“People speed down from the national park and there’s so many near misses it’s unbelievable,” he said.
“Now they’re going to increase traffic into the area.”
Mr Byrne said he supported what Youngcare are doing and commend them for their support services.
“However, the council need to be clear and upfront with them around existing traffic and parking chaos currently in the street,” he said.
“There is also a safety issue that needs to be addressed.
“As the only pathway down Viewland Dr is on the other side of the road, this will mean crossing Viewland Dr in a very dangerous stretch of road,” Mr Byrne said.
He this could have serious ramifications for the tenants of the new development and would need to be addressed.
Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan said this project would respond to a significant need for purpose-built accessible housing for young people with disabilities on the Sunshine Coast.
“Youngcare will provide further information about the project as part of our commitment to engage with the Noosa community once approved,” Mr Ryan said.
“Architecturally designed, the proposed project complements the beautiful Noosa landscape and the other homes in the area.
“Our mission has always been to support young people to live young lives within integrated communities; our housing projects enable this freedom and choice.”
The application is being reviewed by Noosa Council.