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6-8-3RuralZoneCode_102_08-Sep-2026 (4) · MCU26/0104
Noosa Plan 2020: Current - Amendment 3
Part 6 Zones \ 6.8 Other Zones Category \ 6.8.3 Rural Zone Code
6.8.3 Rural Zone Code
6.8.3.1 Application
This code applies to:-
(a) assessable development on land within the Rural zone as identified on the zoning maps contained within Schedule 2 (Mapping); and
(b) acceptable development subject to requirements and identified as requiring assessment against the Rural zone code by the tables of assessment in Part 5 (Tables
of assessment).
6.8.3.2 Purpose and overall outcomes
(1) The purpose of the Rural zone is to:
(a) provide for rural uses and activities; and
(b) provide for other uses and activities that are compatible with:
(i) existing and future rural uses and activities; and
(ii) the character and environmental features of the zone; and
(c) maintain the capacity of land for rural uses and activities by protecting and managing significant natural resources and processes.
(2) The overall outcomes sought for the Rural zone are as follows:-
(a) The establishment of a wide range of rural activities is facilitated, including animal husbandry, aquaculture, cropping, horticulture, roadside stalls, rural
industries, forest practices, wholesale nurseries and other primary production and compatible uses.
(b) The viability of existing and future rural activities is protected from the intrusion of incompatible uses.
(c) Areas for primary production are conserved and lot fragmentation is avoided.
(d) Existing extractive industries and key resource areas are protected from the intrusion of incompatible uses.
(e) Rural activities embrace sustainable land management practices and contribute to the amenity and landscape of the area. Livestock enterprises are
predominantly pasture fed, free range operations.
(f) More intensive rural activities including animal keeping, intensive horticulture and extractive industry may be established in the zone provided that adverse
environmental and amenity impacts including the generation of noise, dust or odour are avoided with sensitive land uses buffered from impacts.
(g) Lot reconfigurations are typically limited to instances of protecting remnant vegetation or riparian corridors or improving the delivery or function of regional
infrastructure.
(h) The establishment of outdoor recreation and small-scale tourism facilities in suitable locations is facilitated in a manner that does not significantly compromise
the rural productivity or ecological values of the land.
(i) The Rural zone provides housing for permanent residents.
(j) Visitor accommodation complements rural uses and promotes the sustainable use of rural land, with no resultant changes to the rural amenity or rural
production of the area.
(k) The home of permanent residents may be occasionally available for short term guests where it is in addition to the principal function of a dwelling house to
house permanent resident(s)
(l) Nature based tourism adopts exemplary standards of ecologically sustainable design and facilitates appreciation of the natural environment.
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(m) Rural activities provide for appropriate value adding to produce on site where adverse environmental and amenity impacts are avoided.
(n) Home-based businesses which add to the economic sustainability of the hinterland are established where the nature, scale and intensity of the activity is
compatible with the character and amenity of the surrounding locality.
(o) Development is reflective of, and sensitively responds to, the environmental constraints of the land.
(p) Natural features such as creeks, gullies, waterways, wetlands and vegetated hillslopes and ridgelines are retained, managed and enhanced where possible.
(q) Development maintains and enhances the significant scenic and landscape values of the area. The built form of development integrates with and
complements the rural character intended for the zone and sensitively responds to the landscape.
(r) Development does not reduce the vegetated open space and rural landscapes that frame distinct towns and villages.
(s) Development protects and provides for recreational trails.
(t) Development does not adversely impact on the continued operation, viability and maintenance of existing infrastructure or compromise the future provision of
planned infrastructure.
Alternate provisions to the Queensland Development Code
For the purpose of Section 10 of the Building Regulation 2006 and Section 33 of the Building Act 1975, nominated provisions in Table 6.8.3.3 below are alternate
provisions to the QDC.
Acceptable outcomes are provided for some, but not all, performance outcomes, and identify ways in which performance outcomes can be met.
Compliance with the performance outcome should be demonstrated and the acceptable outcomes are considered as one way to satisfy the corresponding
performance outcome.
6.8.3.3 Assessment Criteria
Table 6.8.3.3.1 - Criteria for assessment
Performance outcomes Acceptable Outcomes Comments
Role and function
PO1 No acceptable outcome provided. N/a for a dwelling house.
Land uses in the Rural zone are limited to those which
are compatible with agriculture and the protection of
environmental and landscape values, and which
showcase local food production and creative artisan
industries.
PO2 AO2.1 N/a for a dwelling house.
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Development does not result in the loss or diminished Development that is incompatible with agricultural
productive capacity of Agricultural Land Conservation activities is not located on Agricultural Land
Area. Conservation Area and an adequate separation area
Editor’s Note—Agricultural Land Conservation Areas are between the development and the Agricultural Land
shown on the Agricultural Land Overlay Maps in Schedule 2 Conservation Area is provided.
AO2.2
Where there is an overriding need for incompatible
development to be located on Agricultural Land
Conservation Area, the development does not have an
irreversible impact on the productive capacity of
Agricultural Land Conservation Area.
Editor’s Notes—
An irreversible impact on agricultural land includes a
permanent reduction or decline in the agricultural land,
notwithstanding that the land may be used for agriculture
post-development, e.g. land that could support crops pre-
development that can only be used for improved pasture
post-development.
Aquaculture is specifically permissible on Agricultural Land
Conservation Area.
AO2.3
Where located in the Agricultural Land Conservation
Area accommodation is of a temporary or semi-
permanent nature (such as tents, yurts, relocatable
dwellings or recreational vehicles) or it adaptively
reuses well-established rural buildings.
AO2.4
With the exception of a dwelling house, no sensitive
land use is established closer than 200 metres from
land on an adjacent property included in the Rural
zone and mapped as Agricultural Land Conservation
Area as shown in Agricultural Land Overlap Maps in
Schedule 2.
PO3 AO3.1 N/a for a dwelling house.
With the exception of one dwelling house, caretaker's Only the occupants of a dwelling house, compliant
accommodation or a community residence, any caretaker's residence or community residence reside
accommodation activity is limited to use by short-term on the property for any period greater than three
consecutive months.
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guests or seasonal workers employed in a rural activity or
on the same site or on adjoining premises. AO3.2
In addition to residents of the dwelling house, up to 10
people may reside on the site for periods of no more
than six consecutive months where they are:
(a) employed in a rural activity on the property; or
(b) a spouse or child of a person employed in a rural
activity on the property.
PO4 AO4.1 N/a for a dwelling house.
Visitor accommodation: Buildings and structures for visitor accommodation
(a) is at a small scale and low density that protects uses do not occupy more than 5% of the site area with
the environmental and rural values of the land; no more than 1,000m2 of gross floor area.
(b) is compatible with rural activities and nature AO4.2
conservation; For self-contained accommodation, site density does
(c) does not detract from the rural amenity of not exceed one accommodation building per hectare.
adjoining properties; and AO4.3
(d) does not replace the dwelling house for For a retreat, lodge or guest house not consisting of
permanent resident(s). self-contained accommodation, a maximum of two
guest rooms are provided per hectare of site area.
AO4.4
For Tourist Parks:
(a) site density does not exceed five camping or
caravan sites per hectare; and
(b) the total area of all buildings and roofed
structures associated with the use does not
exceed 250m2
PO5 No acceptable outcome provided. N/a for a dwelling house.
Uses such as nature-based tourism, outdoor
education, environment facilities and outdoor sport and
recreation may be appropriate where:
(a) they cannot be more appropriately located in
urban areas;
(b) they have an indelible connection to rural or
ecological values of the site;
(c) there is an overriding community benefit of the
development;
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(d) they are not located on Agricultural Land
Conservation Area as shown on the Agricultural
Land Overlap Maps in Schedule 2 or are
temporary in nature so as not to compromise
agricultural uses in the future; and
(e) they do not interfere with remnant vegetation or
ecologically important areas.
PO6 No acceptable outcome provided. N/a for a dwelling house.
Extractive industry operations are limited to designated
Key Resource Areas and at other known resources
deposits where:
(a) best practice environmental management is met;
(b) the amenity of residents in the vicinity of
extractive industry operations is maintained;
(c) they do not conflict with agricultural operations;
(d) the safety of rural roads is ensured; and
(e) the visual amenity of the rural area as viewed
from the major road network is protected.
Built form
Building height and scale AO7.1 Complies –
PO7 Buildings are no more than two storeys in height. The dwelling is one storey.
Buildings and other structures: AO7.2 Complies –
(a) are low rise; With the exception of Class 10 buildings or structures The dwelling has an overall height of 6.211m as
(b) minimise the appearance of bulk to adjacent used exclusively for a rural activity, buildings and detailed on the Section AA Plan.
properties, roads or other areas in the vicinity of structures are no more than 8 metres in building height
the site; and providing that they may be up to 9 metres where the
(c) respect the scale of surrounding vegetation and pitched roof but no other part of the building or
maximises opportunities to retain existing structure exceeds 8 metres.
vegetation on site. Alternative provision to the QDC
AO7.3 N/a – the proposal is for a dwelling house only.
With the exception of Class 10 buildings or structures
used exclusively for a rural activity, individual buildings
or roofed structures do not exceed 500m2 gross floor
area.
AO7.4
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Class 10 buildings used exclusively for the purpose of N/a – the proposal contemplates only a dwelling
animal husbandry, aquaculture, cropping, intensive Class 1a.
animal industry, intensive horticulture or rural industry
do not exceed 12 metres in height.
AO7.5
A structure, not constituting a building, used
exclusively for the purpose of animal husbandry, N/a – a dwelling is proposed.
aquaculture, cropping, intensive animal industry,
intensive horticulture or rural industry does not exceed
15 metres in height.
AO7.6
The exposed portion of the external elevation of the Complies – the dwelling is single storey and does
building cannot exceed the respective building heights not project above the required height requirements.
in AO7.1, AO7.2, AO7.3, AO7.4 and AO7.5 above and
do not appear to exceed more than two storeys when
viewed externally from any elevation.
Editor's note—refer to figure AP3-13A
Setbacks AO8.1 N/a
PO8 Buildings used to house animals, temporary holding
Notwithstanding that intensive rural activities may need yards, structures containing areas of animal waste or
greater separation distances, buildings and other by-product disposal are not within 100 metres of:
structures are appropriately sited and designed to: (a) the boundary of properties in a residential zone
(a) avoid environmental harm or nuisance to including the rural residential zone;
sensitive land uses, including adverse impacts on (b) a sensitive land use;
amenity values, over and above what could (c) the boundary of adjoining properties in the
reasonably be expected in the rural zone; environmental management and conservation
(b) avoid adverse impact on ecologically important zone, unless such land is in private ownership; or
areas including National Parks, watercourses, (d) a waterway shown on the Biodiversity,
and wetlands; Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Maps in
(c) mitigate risks associated with the use of Schedule 2.
chemicals or air pollutants; and AO8.2 N/a
(d) avoid conflict with rural uses and activities on Buildings or structures which are used for the storage
adjoining properties. of chemicals or machinery, stockpiling of composting
Editor's note- For uses that are subject to impact or organic fertilisers, or which support artificial lighting
assessment, required setback and separation distances will or irrigation sprayers are not within 100 metres of:
vary with the scale and type of rural activity. Relevant factors (a) the boundary of properties in a residential zone
that will be taken into account when determining appropriate including the rural residential zone;
distances include the type and scale of buildings and
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structures proposed, the use of buildings and structures, (b) a sensitive land use;
construction methods, level of containment and ventilation, (c) the boundary of adjoining properties in the
potential noise, odour or air pollutant nuisance, topography, environmental management and conservation
climatic variables, existing vegetation between land uses, zone, unless such land is in private ownership; or
and a range of management practices that can be employed
to mitigate off-site impacts.
(d) a waterway shown on the Biodiversity,
Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Maps in
Schedule 2.
AO8.3 Complies –
With the exception of a roadside stall, buildings and The dwelling is setback approximately 173m from
structures associated with a rural activity or industrial Louis Bazzo Drive.
activity are set back 20 metres from a road reserve or
40 metres from any part of the major road network.
AO8.4
In addition to the circumstances of AO8.1, to AO8.3 Complies – except for AO8.4(b)
above, buildings and structures meet the following (a) The dwelling is setback ~137m from the land
minimum boundary setbacks: adjoining the site to the east that is zone
(a) 20 metres from a property boundary of adjoining Environmental Management.
land in the Environmental management and (b) Performance Outcome sought – the dwelling
conservation zone, unless such land is in private is setback at a distance of 137m to the
ownership; Riparian Buffer of Lake Cootharaba.
(b) a distance greater than the width of the riparian (c) The dwelling is set back at a distance of
buffer area shown on Biodiversity, Waterways 173m from Louis Bazzo Drive.
and Wetland Overlay maps; (d) The dwelling is setback 159m to the north,
(c) 10 metres from a road frontage; and 137m to the east, and 53m to the south.
(d) 10 metres from the side and rear boundaries or 6
metres where the lot area does not exceed 1 Performance Outcome – The proposed dwelling is
hectare, with the exception that if the height of set back ~137m from the Riparian Buffer located on
the building or structure exceeds 9 metres the the adjoining lot to the east which contains land
setback to the side and rear boundaries is equal within Environmental Management Zone. An
to twice its height in metres. Ecological Assessment is provided and details the
proposed development will have no short term or
long term detrimental effects on the biodiversity of
the locality including Lake Cootharaba and the
surrounding National Park. The domestic use of the
site will not include chemicals or air pollutants and
will not impact on any “rural” uses in the locality.
AO8.5 N/a - not applicable to ADSR for a Dwelling.
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With the exception of a Dwelling house, on properties
over 2 hectares in area, a distance of not less than 200
metres is provided between any sensitive land use and
land on an adjacent rural zoned property with over 4
hectares of land mapped as Agricultural Land
Conservation Area.
Alternative provision to the QDC
Safety and amenity
PO9 No acceptable outcome provided N/a for a dwelling.
Development does not result in environmental harm or
environmental nuisance to sensitive land uses.
PO10 AO10 Complies –
Development does not compromise the safety, Safe vehicular access is provided to and from the site Access to the site is existing and considered safe for
capacity or operation of the road network. without adversely impacting on the safety of the road the purposes of the new dwelling.
network.
Environment, heritage and scenic amenity
PO11 AO11.1 Complies
Development does not have a significant adverse Development does not result in sediment, soil or other The site will be contain adequate erosion and
impact on the natural values of the site including material including building materials or waste products sediment control measures during the construction
through: being released into the road reserve, stormwater phase of the dwelling to contain and stormwater run
(a) loss of biodiversity values, fauna habitat and fish drains, waterways or adjacent properties. off and will be revegetated following construction to
passage; ensure on-going compliance with this element.
(b) changes to natural drainage;
(c) disturbance to any wetland systems; AO11.2
(d) erosion and the transport of sediments off site Natural Vegetation is retained wherever possible. Performance Outcome sought for this element –
(including pollutants and other contaminants Some clearing has occurred onsite as detailed in the
which would affect the capacity of agricultural attached Ecological Assessment by ESC Consutling.
lands); The clearing has not resulted in a loss of biodiversity
(e) worsening of landslide or fire risk; values on or off site, has not changed the natural
(f) on-site effluent disposal; drainage of the site, disturbed any wetland system,
(g) creation of dust and air pollutants; caused any erosion and sediment to be transported
(h) disturbance of buildings and features, including off site, worsened any landslide or fire risk, created
natural features, of cultural heritage significance. dust or air pollutants or disturbed existing buildings
or features or cultural heritage significance.
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AO11.3
Where there is a nominated building envelope on the N/a – there is no approved BLE on the site.
lot, clearing of native vegetation and building works do
not extend beyond the building envelope, except for
the purposes of a driveway access.
PO12 AO12 Complies –
Development and associated site works do not directly, Development and associated site works, including While the site is flood affected, the dwelling will
indirectly or cumulatively cause adverse impacts filling and excavation are designed and constructed to achieve the required habitable floor level. Minor
external to the development site by: ensure overland flow and/or flooding is not worsened, filling of the site has occurred however the site has
(a) causing ponding of water; impeded, or otherwise diverted to adversely affect been highly modified in the past through the creation
(b) increasing flooding, which adversely affects the other properties. of a series of interlined dams. The proposed
safety or use of any land upstream and development will not significantly impact on the
downstream; operation of the man-made dams on the site, nor will
(c) adversely affecting the flow of water in any the works have any impact off site.
overland flow path.
Scenic amenity AO13 Complies –
PO13 Development on land adjoining the major road The lot is adjacent to both a State Controlled Road –
Development does not detract from the scenic amenity network, Lake Macdonald or the Noosa River system Louis Bazzo Drive and the Noosa River system –
of the hinterland as experienced from the major road minimises visual impacts on the scenic amenity of the Lake Cootharaba. The dwelling has been
network or waterways. roadway or waterway by: thoughtfully located on the site. While some
(a) sensitive siting and design of buildings, vegetation has been removed, it does not detract
structures, driveways and works; form the scenic amenity of the hinterland or
(b) retaining existing vegetation; waterway network. The development is setback
(c) incorporating landscape treatments to visually from the road some 173m so will not be seen from
screen and soften development; and the road networks and is well screened by the
(d) incorporating building materials and external retained vegetation on the site. The dwelling is
finishes that are compatible with the site’s visual single storey and low set and is compatible with the
character and landscape setting. site’s visual character and landscape setting.
Editor’s Note— Residential buildings should be Council may condition a colour pallet should it
predominantly finished in colours and materials that blend believe necessary.
well with the colours and hues of the surrounding vegetation
and landscape without causing glare or reflection.
For agricultural buildings, colours and textures that blend
with the natural setting are preferred however if not practical,
buildings should at least be well maintained and/or visually
screened.
N/a for a dwelling.
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PO14 No acceptable outcome provided
The visual amenity of Lake Macdonald, its foreshores
and immediate surrounds are maintained or improved
including views:
(a) from the lake;
(b) to the lake and beyond when viewed from private
lands and from public areas, including the
Botanical Gardens.
Sloping sites and ridgelines AO15.1 Complies
PO15 To protect scenic amenity and other landscape The site is essentially flat, with elevations of ~1.0-
The landscape character and visual amenity quality of qualities, buildings, structures and associated 2.0m AHD. Development will not be visible in the
hill slopes and ridgelines are retained and buildings accessways are not constructed on land with a slope landscape.
and structures: greater than 25%.
(a) are visually responsive to the natural topography AO15.2 N/a – the site is not sloping.
of the site, sitting within the landscape rather On sloping sites or on ridgelines at the uppermost
than dominating it; edge of a hill slope:
(b) step down slopes or use suspended floor (a) roof lines are generally parallel with contours of
construction, minimising cut and fill and avoiding the land;
benching of the site; (b) roofs do not exceed a pitch of 15 degrees; and
(c) allow for retention of natural vegetation that (c) buildings do not protrude above the height of
assists in screening or visually softening prevailing vegetation.
development; and Editor's note- refer to Figure 6.9.1A and Figure 6.9.1B. and
(d) incorporate materials, finishes and colours that Figure AP3-3B.
complement the natural setting and integrate with AO15.3 N/a – the site is not sloping.
the landscape and skyline. On sloping sites and ridgelines, cut or fill is less than
1.5 metres in depth relative to natural ground surface.
Editor’s Note— On visually prominent hill slopes or
ridgelines residential buildings should be predominantly
finished in colours and materials that blend well with the
colours and hues of the surrounding vegetation and
landscape without causing glare or reflection. Broad
expanses of a single colour are less desirable and where
possible should be broken up by other colours or design
elements. Shades in the violet, blue, green and yellow-green
side of the spectrum, as well as greys or browns, should be
appropriate with whites or bright colours restricted to
trimmings.
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For agricultural buildings, colours and textures that blend
with the natural setting are preferred however if not practical,
buildings should at least be well maintained and/or visually
screened.
Noosa Trail Network
PO16 AO16.1 N/a for a dwelling house.
A comprehensive network of bridle trails and Development includes linkages to or between existing
pedestrian and bicycle linkages is established, or future components of the Noosa Trail Network, as
enhanced and protected incorporating road reserves, indicated on the Strategic Framework Map - SFM3
State forests, Council owned land and private lands Infrastructure
consistent with the lifestyle and outdoor recreation AO16.2
needs of Noosa Shire’s residents and visitors. Development does not have an adverse impact on the
access functions of the Noosa Trail Network.
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