9-3-2Caretaker'sAccommodationDwellingUnitandRuralWorkers'AccommodationCode_69_23-Mar-2026 · MCU26/0097

9.3.2	Caretaker's Accommodation, Dwelling Unit and Rural Workers' Accommodation Code
9.3.2.1	Application
This code applies to acceptable development subject to requirements and to assessable development identified as requiring assessment against the Caretaker's accommodation, Dwelling unit and Rural workers' accommodation code by the tables of assessment in Part 5 (Tables of assessment).
9.3.2.2	Purpose and overall outcomes
The purpose of the Caretaker's accommodation, dwelling unit and rural worker's accommodation code is to ensure caretaker's accommodation, dwelling units and rural worker's accommodation achieve an acceptable level of comfort, safety and amenity for occupants and are compatible with non-residential uses on the same site or adjoining premises. The overall outcomes sought for the Caretaker's accommodation, dwelling unit and Rural workers' accommodation code are: Caretaker's accommodation, dwelling units and rural workers' accommodation do not compromise the operation of the primary non-residential use of the site. Caretaker's accommodation is used for genuine caretaking or property management purposes. Rural workers' accommodation is used for genuine employees of a rural activity. Caretaker's accommodation, dwelling units and rural workers' accommodation remain ancillary to non-residential uses on the same site. An acceptable level of residential amenity and safety is provided for occupants of caretaker's accommodation, dwelling units and rural workers' accommodation. Caretaker's accommodation, dwelling units and rural workers' accommodation do not adversely impact on the amenity of the local area.
FOR ACCEPTED DEVELOPMENT The requirements for Acceptable Development are the acceptable outcomes listed in the Table of Assessment. Accepted development that complies with the acceptable solutions is considered to satisfy the requirements. If development complies with some, but not all, acceptable outcomes, an application for Code Assessment will be necessary and the application will be assessed against the relevant Performance Outcome(s).
FOR ASSESSABLE DEVELOPMENT 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.
9.3.2.3	Assessment Criteria
Table 9.3.2.3.1 - Criteria for assessment
	 Performance outcomes	Acceptable Outcomes	Comments  Location	 	 PO1 Development does not compromise the operation or viability of existing or planned non-residential uses.	AO1.1 A dwelling unit does not occur within 100 metres of land within the Low Impact Industry zone or the Medium Impact Industry zone.	Complies 	 PO2 Caretaker's accommodation is used for bona fide caretaking or property management purposes such that: in the Rural zone, or a Centres Zone caretaker's accommodation is required because of the need to caretake a non-residential activity on site; or in the Low Impact Industry zone, the Medium Impact Industry Zone or the Innovation Zone, caretaker's accommodation: demonstrates the need for 24 hour care of buildings, operations, plant or equipment; and is provided at a rate of a least 1000m2 of industrial gross floor area on a site to one caretakers accommodation. Editor’s Note—Council would require sufficient justification that the caretaker’s residence is required for the industry, rural or other activity on the site.	AO2.1 In the Rural zone, caretaker's accommodation is: located within 50 metres of the primary use of the site, for which the caretaker is responsible; on a site with a minimum area of 20 hectares, accommodating an existing rural activity; or the only residential use on a site accommodating a business activity, a community activity, an entertainment activity, an industry activity, an infrastructure activity or a recreation activity. AO2.2 In the Low Impact Industry zone or the Medium Impact Industry Zone, caretaker's accommodation is: directly associated with and subordinate to the industry activity on site; demonstrates the direct need for 24 hour operations of the industrial activity; the only residential use on the site; and not separately let for other accommodation activities. AO2.3 In the Innovation Zone or a Centres Zone, caretaker's accommodation is: directly associated with and subordinate to a non-residential activity on site; and not separately let for other accommodation activities.	Complies – The site is 20 hectares and includes pastoral activities across the property. 	 PO3 Rural workers' accommodation is located on rural properties of 20 hectares or greater for bona fide employees of a rural use carried out on site.	AO3 Rural workers' accommodation is limited to land in the Rural zone used for agricultural production.	NA  Effects of use	 	 PO4 A caretaker's accommodation, dwelling unit or rural workers' accommodation is ancillary to non-residential activities on the same site.	AO4.1 Caretaker's accommodation is occupied by a person or persons having responsibility for the required continued operation, maintenance or management of non-residential activities conducted on the same site over a 24 hour timeframe. AO4.2 No more than one caretaker's accommodation is established on site provided that where the site is subject to a Building Unit Plan or Group Title Plan no more than one caretaker's accommodation is located on the original parent parcel. AO4.3 Caretaker's accommodation and rural workers' accommodation are not excised from the balance of the site (or would cease to be this use). AO4.4 Caretaker's accommodation does not occur on the same site as a dwelling unit. AO4.5 In a zone other than the Rural Zone caretaker's accommodation is adjoining and where practicable shares an interconnecting door with the non-residential use for which the caretaker is responsible. AO4.6 Caretaker's accommodation and dwelling units are small dwellings. AO4.7 Notwithstanding AO4.6, no residential use in either the Low Impact Industry zone or the Medium Impact Industry zone has more than one bedroom or a gross floor area exceeding 65m2. AO4.8 Rural workers' accommodation has a combined total gross floor area not exceeding 250m2 and accommodates no more than 10 persons including employees and, if applicable, their immediate families. Editor’s Note— Rural workers' accommodation would typically only be occupied on a seasonal basis. If the property owner sought to offer accommodation to people beyond bona fide farm workers approval for a separate use such as short term accommodation would be required.	Complies – Conditions can be included  Safety and amenity	 	 PO5 Development does not place residents at risk of exposure to noise levels, air emissions or odour levels that would cause unacceptable health risks	No acceptable outcome provided	Complies 	 PO6 The design of the caretaker's accommodation, dwelling unit or rural workers' accommodation achieves an acceptable level of residential amenity for residents of the use, including security, visual and acoustic privacy and access to private open space.	AO6.1 The residence can be secured so that persons other than the residents cannot gain direct access. AO6.2 Bedrooms and living rooms of the caretaker's accommodation, dwelling unit or rural workers' accommodation do not adjoin, and face away from, noise generating activities conducted on the site or adjoining sites. AO6.3 The caretaker's accommodation or dwelling unit is provided with a patio, balcony, verandah, deck or garden with an area of not less than 15m2 with a minimum horizontal dimension of at least 2.5 metres. AO6.4 Rural workers' accommodation is provided in a permanent habitable structure with, as a minimum: sleeping quarters; bathroom facilities; living rooms separate to sleeping quarters; and running drinking water supply, plumbed effluent disposal and power supply. or AO6.5 Where rural workers' accommodation takes the form of temporary or transportable accommodation: ablutions and waste disposal are provided on site; and employees stay no longer than six weeks. Editor’s Note — depending on the nature of accommodation and the number of people accommodated special requirements pursuant to the Building Act 1975 or the Workers' Accommodation Act 1952 may apply to rural workers' accommodation. AO6.6 The residential use is setback at least 3 metres from any waste servicing area. AO6.7 Caretaker's accommodation and rural workers' accommodation is separated by at least 150 metres from: the Resource Area/ Processing Area and operational area of any Key Resource Area; any intensive animal industry; any high impact industry. AO6.8 Private open space or outdoor living space is sited and orientated so that it is not directly overlooked by other buildings on the site or adjoining premises; or AO6.9 Where direct overlooking from another building is unavoidable, any private living space is screened by a minimum 1.8 metre high solid screen fence or other effective screening devices.	Complies – Conditions can be included 	 PO7 Sufficient space is available to accommodate the likely parking demand of residents, exclusive of the car parking requirement for the other uses on the site.	AO7 Parking on the site is required in addition to those spaces required for other uses on the site, and is marked for the exclusive use of the residential use. Editor’s Note— the rate of car parking required for the use is specified in the Driveways and Parking Code.	Complies

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Print Date: 23/03/2026
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Noosa Plan 2020: Amendment 3
Part 9 Development codes \ 9.3 Use Codes \ 9.3.2 Caretaker's Accommodation, Dwelling Unit and Rural Workers' Accommodation Code