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

11.4     Agricultural Land Uses
The QPP includes a suite of use definitions that may be used in planning schemes. While this is
currently a mandatory component it is possible that legislative changes allow for further flexibility.
At any rate it is a good guide to the land uses that should be considered. The QPP also
categorises the following 13 land uses as “Rural Activities”. They do not all qualify as agriculture
but may be associated with agricultural production. The complete definition for each is contained
in Appendix F of this report.

Agricultural supplies store                            Permanent plantation
Animal husbandry                                       Roadside stall
Animal keeping                                         Rural industry
Aquaculture                                            Rural workers’ accommodation
Cropping                                               Wholesale nursery
Intensive animal industry                              Winery
Intensive horticulture

It is suggested that the new planning scheme adopt these use definitions but modify them or use
development assessment tables and code provisions to clearly qualify thresholds that are
considered acceptable. For example it should be clarified within the definition of animal husbandry
that the grazing of livestock includes free range poultry and pigs so as to allow such operations,
subject to maximum stocking densities, without it qualifying as intensive animal husbandry.


11.5     Tables of Assessment
Queensland planning legislation is currently under review but in terms of the proposed categories
of development “accepted development” is development for which a development approval would
not be required.

It is recommended that animal husbandry, cropping, roadside stall and wholesale nursery be made
“accepted development” in both the Rural Zone and the Rural Residential Zone however the tables
of assessment might be used to further benchmark the use or the qualifying property. For instance
it is suggested these uses only be accepted development on lots greater than 2ha in area.

“Assessable development” would be development for which a development approval is required.
Assessment is broken down further to

      code assessment - carried out only against the specified code benchmarks; and
      impact assessment - carried out against the broader planning scheme, other statutory
       planning instruments and any other relevant matter.

The Tables of Assessment might be used to qualify the scale or intensity of a use that is
considered appropriate in an area. For instance it is recommended that up to 4 or 5 holiday cabins
be subject to code or limited assessment but that beyond that number broader assessment and
public notification be required.

It is suggested that intensive horticulture and aquaculture be assessable development subject to
code assessment in the rural zone but that intensive animal husbandry be subject to impact
assessment. No intensive agriculture should be supported in the rural residential zone.

Intensive poultry farms, piggeries (beyond small densities) and feedlots should be clearly shown as
inconsistent within any zone in Noosa. Development applications for such uses require public
notice and they can be very costly and stressful for both proponent and community.



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