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

property investors and business proponents as to the preferred dominant land use of the property.
In combination with tables of assessment and zone codes the desired outcomes for each zone
should be clearly specified.

Application of zones should be done with consideration to the preferred dominant land use in the
locality, not only to the subject land but to the surrounding land. For instance, the current planning
scheme places requirements on agricultural practices to keep them separated from land in a
residential zone and the Rural Settlement Zone is considered to be a residential zone.

With the agreement of property owners the Environmental Management Zone might be applied
where the priority is biodiversity enhancement rather than agricultural pursuits. For instance there
are many landowners who actively protect and promote environmental outcomes on their property
through Voluntary Conservation Agreements or through the Land for Wildlife Program. They may
choose to have their efforts reflected in the zoning of all or part of their land. It should not however
be imposed without consultation.


11.3      Agricultural Land Overlay
The SPP State Interest Guideline on Agriculture contains a model agricultural land overlay code
which should provide a foundation for a tailored code. It is recommended that with the exception of
agriculture and domestic uses, proposed development should be tested against this code where
located on good quality agricultural land.

It is suggested that the State’s ALC Class A and Class B land not be accepted in totality but that
more locally accurate and appropriate mapping be adopted to clearly distinguish where the
protection of agricultural land for agricultural purposes is the priority.

Given the effect of the overlay is to increase or add a layer of assessment to development
proposals, it is not considered appropriate to include the mapping on land where agriculture is
ultimately not the preferred land use.

Map 8 is derived by removing the following overlapping conflicts from the State’s ALC Class A and
Class B:

        Land within the Urban Footprint or the Rural Living Area as shown on the SEQ Regional
         Plan
        Land within any residential zone within the current planning scheme (this includes the rural
         settlement zone).
        Land included in the Biodiversity Overlay of the current planning scheme17 which includes
         remnant vegetation and riparian corridors
        Land identified as a Key Resource Area through the State Planning Policy

Further, remaining polygons less than 5,000m2 in area which are not contiguous with other
polygons are also removed.




17
  The Biodiversity Overlay is currently subject to review to inform the next planning scheme and the
agricultural land layer would likewise be revised following this review.
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