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App F - Code Table - Rural Zone Code
Appendix F Code Table – Rural Zone Code Application for a Development Permit – Material Change of Use for Short-Term Accommodation in a 46.5m² dwelling. 122 Musa Vale Road, Cooroy 4563 QLD Lot 304 on SP118015 James Austin & Jody Austin 22nd April 2026
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Noosa Plan 2020: 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. PO1 - complies
Land uses in the Rural zone are limited to those which The proposal does not introduce a new building, new
are compatible with agriculture and the protection of activity area or intensification of rural land use.
environmental and landscape values, and which
showcase local food production and creative artisan Rather, it relocates an existing lawful STA activity
industries. from the approved five-bedroom main dwelling to an
existing approved one-bedroom small dwelling, with
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the main dwelling to revert to permanent residential
use.
In that way, the proposal remains compatible with
agriculture, rural character, landscape values and
the environmental features of the land.
PO2 AO2.1 AO2 – complies
Development does not result in the loss or diminished Development that is incompatible with agricultural There is no change to the land uses on site, the
productive capacity of Agricultural Land Conservation activities is not located on Agricultural Land application only seeks to swap land uses from one
Area. Conservation Area and an adequate separation area existing building to another existing building while
Editor’s Note—Agricultural Land Conservation Areas are between the development and the Agricultural Land reducing the scale of STA onsite.
shown on the Agricultural Land Overlay Maps in Schedule 2 Conservation Area is provided.
AO2.2 Both are residential uses, so there is no impacts on
Where there is an overriding need for incompatible ALCA.
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
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Area as shown in Agricultural Land Overlap Maps in
Schedule 2.
PO3 AO3.1 AO3 – complies
With the exception of one dwelling house, caretaker's Only the occupants of a dwelling house, compliant The owner has demonstrated over time
accommodation or a community residence, any caretaker's residence or community residence reside (SSL25/0041) that they can operate STA within its
accommodation activity is limited to use by short-term on the property for any period greater than three definition and will continue to do so when the land
guests or seasonal workers employed in a rural activity consecutive months. uses are swapped between buildings.
on the same site or on adjoining premises. or
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 AO4.1 and AO4.2 – Complies
Visitor accommodation: Buildings and structures for visitor accommodation The proposed short-term accommodation is to be
(a) is at a small scale and low density that protects uses do not occupy more than 5% of the site area with established within an existing approved self-
contained small dwelling with a gross floor area of
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 46.5m² on a site of 41.56 hectares.
AO4.2
conservation; For self-contained accommodation, site density does
(c) does not detract from the rural amenity of The dwelling occupies only a very small proportion of
not exceed one accommodation building per hectare.
adjoining properties; and the site area, being substantially less than the 5%
AO4.3
(d) does not replace the dwelling house for maximum required by AO4.1, and is also well below
For a retreat, lodge or guest house not consisting of
permanent resident(s). the 1,000m² gross floor area threshold.
self-contained accommodation, a maximum of two
guest rooms are provided per hectare of site area.
For AO4.2, the site density remains far below the
AO4.4
prescribed maximum of one accommodation building
For Tourist Parks:
per hectare. The proposal involves only one self-
(a) site density does not exceed five camping or
contained accommodation building on a site of 41.56
caravan sites per hectare; and
hectares, equating to approximately 0.02
(b) the total area of all buildings and roofed
accommodation buildings per hectare.
structures associated with the use does not
exceed 250m2 Importantly, the application does not seek to expand
the scale of visitor accommodation on the land.
Rather, it relocates the short-term accommodation
activity from the existing larger five-bedroom
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dwelling to the much smaller one-bedroom small
dwelling, with the main dwelling to revert to
permanent residential use.
In this regard, the proposed small dwelling occupies
approximately 0.02% of the site area, compared to
the existing main dwelling used for STA which
occupies approximately 0.33% of the site area.
This results in a clear reduction in the scale and
intensity of short-term accommodation on the site
and is consistent with the intent of the Rural Zone to
maintain only small-scale visitor accommodation that
remains subordinate to the rural and residential
function of the land.
AO4.3 and AO4.4 – not applicable.
PO5 No acceptable outcome provided. Not applicable
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;
(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. Not applicable
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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 AO7.1- complies
PO7 Buildings are no more than two storeys in height. The proposal is moving from a 2 storey building to a
Buildings and other structures: AO7.2 small single storey building.
(a) are low rise; With the exception of Class 10 buildings or structures
(b) minimise the appearance of bulk to adjacent used exclusively for a rural activity, buildings and AO7.2 – Not applicable
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 AO7.3 - Not applicable
(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
With the exception of Class 10 buildings or structures
used exclusively for a rural activity, individual buildings AO7.4, AO7.5, AO7.6 - Not applicable
or roofed structures do not exceed 500m2 gross floor
area.
AO7.4
Class 10 buildings used exclusively for the purpose of
animal husbandry, aquaculture, cropping, intensive
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,
aquaculture, cropping, intensive animal industry,
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intensive horticulture or rural industry does not exceed
15 metres in height.
AO7.6
The exposed portion of the external elevation of the
building cannot exceed the respective building heights
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 AO8.1- Not applicable
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; AO8.2 - Not applicable
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
(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
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 (d) a waterway shown on the Biodiversity,
to mitigate off-site impacts. Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Maps in
Schedule 2.
AO8.3
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With the exception of a roadside stall, buildings and AO8.3 and AO8.4 – complies
structures associated with a rural activity or industrial The small dwelling proposed for STA is setback
activity are set back 20 metres from a road reserve or more than 250m from Musa Vale Road.
40 metres from any part of the major road network.
AO8.4
In addition to the circumstances of AO8.1, to AO8.3
above, buildings and structures meet the following
minimum boundary setbacks:
(a) 20 metres from a property boundary of adjoining
land in the Environmental management and
conservation zone, unless such land is in private
ownership;
(b) a distance greater than the width of the riparian
buffer area shown on Biodiversity, Waterways
and Wetland Overlay maps;
(c) 10 metres from a road frontage; and
(d) 10 metres from the side and rear boundaries or 6
metres where the lot area does not exceed 1
hectare, with the exception that if the height of
the building or structure exceeds 9 metres the
setback to the side and rear boundaries is equal
to twice its height in metres.
AO8.5
With the exception of a Dwelling house, on properties PO8.5 – complies
over 2 hectares in area, a distance of not less than 200 Approval DBW23/0078 previously assessed and
metres is provided between any sensitive land use and approved the land use and structure proposed to be
land on an adjacent rural zoned property with over 4 used for STA would not generate adverse impacts on
hectares of land mapped as Agricultural Land surrounding rural activities undertaken on ALCA or
Conservation Area. have any reverse amenity affects.
Alternative provision to the QDC
While the approved use at that time was for
permanent occupation, the proposed STA remains a
residential use with no change to the built form,
access arrangements, or site functionality. On this
basis, the residential use (STA) and structure is still
considered to fully comply with PO8.
Safety and amenity
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PO9 No acceptable outcome provided PO9 – complies
Development does not result in environmental harm or The proposed land use exists onsite, the proposal is
environmental nuisance to sensitive land uses. simply swapping the land use between buildings.
Therefore it does not result in environmental harm or
nuisance.
PO10 AO10 AO10 – complies
Development does not compromise the safety, Safe vehicular access is provided to and from the site The existing access arrangements are unchanged,
capacity or operation of the road network. without adversely impacting on the safety of the road with the level of vehicle generation associated with
network. the proposed STA being comparable to that of the
current permanent residential use.
As such, no additional traffic impacts will be
generated.
Environment, heritage and scenic amenity
PO11 AO11.1 AO11- Not applicable.
Development does not have a significant adverse Development does not result in sediment, soil or other No building work is required to swap land uses
impact on the natural values of the site including material including building materials or waste products between buildings.
through: being released into the road reserve, stormwater
(a) loss of biodiversity values, fauna habitat and fish drains, waterways or adjacent properties.
passage; AO11.2
(b) changes to natural drainage; Natural Vegetation is retained wherever possible.
(c) disturbance to any wetland systems; AO11.3
(d) erosion and the transport of sediments off site Where there is a nominated building envelope on the
(including pollutants and other contaminants lot, clearing of native vegetation and building works do
which would affect the capacity of agricultural not extend beyond the building envelope, except for
lands); the purposes of a driveway access.
(e) worsening of landslide or fire risk;
(f) on-site effluent disposal;
(g) creation of dust and air pollutants;
(h) disturbance of buildings and features, including
natural features, of cultural heritage significance.
PO12 AO12 AO12- Not applicable.
Development and associated site works do not directly, Development and associated site works, including No building work is required to swap land uses
indirectly or cumulatively cause adverse impacts filling and excavation are designed and constructed to between buildings.
external to the development site by: ensure overland flow and/or flooding is not worsened,
(a) causing ponding of water;
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(b) increasing flooding, which adversely affects the impeded, or otherwise diverted to adversely affect
safety or use of any land upstream and other properties.
downstream;
(c) adversely affecting the flow of water in any
overland flow path.
Scenic amenity AO13
PO13 Development on land adjoining the major road AO13 - Not applicable.
Development does not detract from the scenic amenity network, Lake Macdonald or the Noosa River system
of the hinterland as experienced from the major road minimises visual impacts on the scenic amenity of the
network or waterways. roadway or waterway by:
(a) sensitive siting and design of buildings,
structures, driveways and works;
(b) retaining existing vegetation;
(c) incorporating landscape treatments to visually
screen and soften development; and
(d) incorporating building materials and external
finishes that are compatible with the site’s visual
character and landscape setting.
Editor’s Note— 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.
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.
PO14 No acceptable outcome provided PO14 - Not applicable.
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 AO15 – Not applicable
PO15 While the building is on a slope and hillside, it exists,
and as such, no building work will occur.
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The landscape character and visual amenity quality of To protect scenic amenity and other landscape
hill slopes and ridgelines are retained and buildings qualities, buildings, structures and associated
and structures: accessways are not constructed on land with a slope
(a) are visually responsive to the natural topography greater than 25%.
of the site, sitting within the landscape rather AO15.2
than dominating it; On sloping sites or on ridgelines at the uppermost
(b) step down slopes or use suspended floor edge of a hill slope:
construction, minimising cut and fill and avoiding (a) roof lines are generally parallel with contours of
benching of the site; the land;
(c) allow for retention of natural vegetation that (b) roofs do not exceed a pitch of 15 degrees; and
assists in screening or visually softening (c) buildings do not protrude above the height of
development; and prevailing vegetation.
(d) incorporate materials, finishes and colours that Editor's note- refer to Figure 6.9.1A and Figure 6.9.1B. and
complement the natural setting and integrate with Figure AP3-3B.
the landscape and skyline. AO15.3
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.
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 AO16 – Not applicable
A comprehensive network of bridle trails and Development includes linkages to or between existing The Biosphere Trail (Noosa Trail Network) does not
pedestrian and bicycle linkages is established, or future components of the Noosa Trail Network, as extend to near the site.
enhanced and protected incorporating road reserves, indicated on the Strategic Framework Map - SFM3
State forests, Council owned land and private lands Infrastructure
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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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