2016-06-07 - P&E Agenda - Item 5, Attachment 1 - Agriculture and Agricultural Land Study

4. State Policy Context
Since 1992 various State regulations and policies have sought the protection of good quality
agricultural land and prevented the fragmentation of rural landscapes. In addition remnant
vegetation has been protected and increased protection afforded to waterways and wetlands.

In response Noosa’s planning schemes, past and present have nominated agricultural land
resources to be protected, have removed opportunity to subdivide rural lands, have mapped
biodiversity values and have ensured urban land uses are inconsistent in rural areas.

A detailed chronology of State and Local regulation of specific relevance to agriculture and rural
lands is provided within Appendix E.

This evolution of policy has undoubtedly curbed the development momentum not only on Noosa’s
hinterland but on the rural lands and natural landscapes of South East Queensland and the whole
State.

The introduction of the South East Queensland Regional Plan in 2005 had a particularly significant
impact on containing population growth to designated urban footprints, rural living areas and
nominated rural villages while protecting regional landscapes and rural production areas from
further subdivision and inappropriate land uses.

Looking forward, in reviewing its policy framework and preparing a new planning scheme, Council
should advance various State Interests and Plan Making Policies as set out in the State Planning
Policy of 2014.

The state’s interest in planning for agriculture is to:

•       reduce the potential for conflict between agricultural land and other uses;
•       protect resources from inappropriate development;
•       minimise encroachment to ensure viable tracts of agricultural land are maintained; and
•       improve opportunities for increased agricultural investment, production and diversification.

The State Interest for Agriculture and its relationship to planning schemes is further detailed in the
shaded box on the following page.




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