MCU14/0028 Vision Statement

         Community implications of Agriculture Uses:

         Agriculture is an important part of Noosa’s rural heritage and an integral contributor to Noosa’s hinterland character.
         The retention of agricultural activities in those areas where farming has been the traditional use and where
         environmental impacts may be successfully managed will assist agriculture’s contribution to the character of Noosa.

         Factors such as poor land management, poor management of fertiliser applications and inappropriate land clearing
         cause environmental harm through erosion, los of significant habitat, visual scarring of significant landscapes and
         unacceptable impacts on downstream land and surface and ground water. The potential impacts of rural activities
         should be significant factors in determining land’s suitability for sustainable agricultural use.

         Agriculture is also a significant lifestyle contributor, with part time, small-scale though often high value operations,
         serving as an attraction to the rural areas.

         Agriculture is an important contributor to Noosa’s economy. The maintenance of an economically viable and
         environmentally sustainable agricultural sector will require recognition of and response to changes to traditional
         markets and the emergence of new markets. Growth areas within the industry are expected to be in the areas of farm
         forestry, macadamias, small scale specialised crops and agricultural tourism. Providing opportunities for value adding to
         occur, before agricultural produce leaves from the farm gate, can also enhance economic performance.

         Careful consideration and farm management processes are required for the planting and raising of genetically modified
         crops, so that they do not adversely impact on adjacent crops or those downwind or downstream.

Melsted Park’s vision incorporates many of these desired environmental outcomes, however feel that they are not supported by
the current Noosa Plan or the development fee structure. Both of these documents are currently restricting our progress,
limiting our income capacity and more than doubling our initial set up costs. Under these conditions it would make Melsted
Park’s vision financially unviable, making it harder to justify our investment in agriculture in The Noosa Shire

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    9.   Noosa Biosphere

3. Sustainable Development (Original source: UNECO submission document 2006, page 8)

3. ECONOMIC AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

‘New rural industries’ and ‘green industries’ are identified as key areas of emerging industry opportunity, offering value-adding
alternatives and a means of establishing competitive and economically sustainable business activity in traditional industry areas.



Through the submission document it talks about:

        Adopts an innovative approach to conservation and sustainability
        Promotes a balanced relationship between humans and the reserve.
        Promote a green approach to the way people in the area live and do business.
        Develop a strong understanding within the community of the term sustainability
        Encourage sustainable behaviour changes



Melsted Park fit within and supports these parameters.




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