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

       Environmental management zone where the purpose is to recognise environmentally
       sensitive areas and provide for houses on lots and other low impact activities where
       suitable. These areas are protected from inclusion of any urban, suburban, centre or
       industrial land uses except quarries that are identified in the strategic framework.


It is likely that most properties outside the designated urban areas of Noosa Shire could be
accommodated in one of these zones (in in some instances split zoning may allow for a
combination of these zones). The choice of zone should give a clear message to the community,
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.


10.3 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.

The option exists to add to the State’s layer. For instance if it were considered that pasture fed
beef offered significant opportunity for the Shire and it was desirable to protect pasture lands
(generally Class C land) these areas could be added to the overlay. However, certainty would be
needed over the productive capacity of the land.

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).




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