2016-07-12 - Item 12 - Att 1 - Agriculture and Agricultural Land in Noosa Shire

8. Complementary Activity, Value Adding &
   Dependencies
While agriculture or primary production includes the growing of crops, forestry and livestock
industries (including aquaculture), value adding generally refers to the additional value created at a
particular stage of production, for instance, turning milk into cheese or yoghurt, turning fruits into
jams or chutneys, turning nuts into nougat, turning timber or bamboo into furniture or products.

Past consultation projects revealed a desire by many to be able to do both on-site value adding
and complementary ventures to improve profitability of their agribusiness. This can range from
packing and processing operations, food tasting, farm gate sales, cooking schools and even small
scale visitor accommodation or facilities. In some instances the complementary activities help
educate the broader communities on the realities of agriculture and grow an appreciation for fresh
local produce.

Noosa’s Local Economic Plan 2015 identified Rural Enterprise as a priority sector and noted an
increasing demand for sustainably produced local food and beverages. Amongst other things the
plan looks to

•      develop efficient local supply chains
•      establish a premier food and beverage brand
•      increase employment and training opportunities (in the rural sector); and
•      support wider visitor dispersal across the Shire.

Actions around rural enterprise include supporting the development of agribusiness networks,
mapping supply chains and identifying gaps and establishment of a Noosa food and beverage
brand synonymous with the destination.

Land within the towns and villages of Cooroy, Pomona, and Kin Kin, particularly, but not
exclusively included in the Industry or Village Mix zones is well placed to accommodate value
adding, manufacturing, processing, packaging and other functions to support rural production.

Arguments are repeatedly put forward for on-farm accommodation for farm workers whether they
are seasonal, itinerant workers or more permanent caretakers. The accommodation of bona fide
farm workers other than in the owners’ house requires careful consideration and may be
dependent on the property size and the scale and nature of the agricultural use. Proposed
changes to the planning scheme facilitate small ancillary, secondary dwellings subject to certain
acceptable criteria. There may be scope for multi-purpose facilities that cater for workers in busy
seasons and paying guests the rest of the year. However, within Noosa most rural land is within
reasonable distance from a town or village where short term worker or visitor accommodation
could be provided if transport was available.




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