Eight Noosa Council motions to the 2026 Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Conference have won strong support, putting key local issues such as housing, homelessness and environmental protection on the association's advocacy agenda.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said a key motion, developed with Sunshine Coast Council, tackled the growing loss of housing to short-term accommodation in the state's residential neighbourhoods.
"Noosa and Sunshine Coast Councils are by no means alone in facing challenges within low-density residential areas where a significant number of homes are being used for short-stay accommodation," he said.
"That can disrupt neighbours and is also reducing the number of homes available for local families, key workers and permanent residents during a housing crisis.
"In Noosa, more than 400 dwellings benefit from existing use rights for short-term accommodation despite the current Noosa Plan 2020 making it an inconsistent use in low-density residential zones.
"We're calling for legislative changes allowing councils to extinguish those existing use rights when a property changes hands. It's a fair and gradual approach that would help return more homes to the long-term housing market over time to help ease our local housing shortage."
Mayor Wilkie welcomed LGAQ member councils' support for a statewide safe parking pilot program to help people experiencing homelessness and living in vehicles with a safe space to sleep.
"Homelessness is everyone's problem and while housing is primarily a State Government responsibility, we need practical solutions now," he said.
"We're calling for the state government to use its suitable, vacant state land to provide safe overnight parking, with support services such as housing assistance and mental health support available. The goal is to help people move into stable housing instead of sleeping in cars on local streets."
Cr Wilkie said delegates also strongly supported Noosa's call for formal recognition and funding support for Queensland's UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and World Surfing Reserves.
"Queensland is home to three biosphere reserves, including Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Great Sandy, yet councils receive no dedicated funding to help manage these internationally recognised areas," he said.
Other successful Noosa motions included calls for greater local government input into gaming machine decisions, improved flood monitoring systems, beach safety drone programs, action on soil health and water security initiatives.
