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

“Prohibited development” would be development for which a development application may not be
made. To date the use of prohibition has been very limited and applied only in a few instances as
determined by the State. It is unlikely the planning scheme could make high intensity or industrial
farming prohibited, although it is worth considering.

Rural industries might be assessable development subject to code assessment but extractive
industries might be subject to impact assessment.

The planning scheme should also support the establishment of rural industries and enterprises
associated with agriculture within the towns and villages of the hinterland.


10.6 Subdivision of Land
The creation of new allotments outside the urban footprint and the rural living areas should
continue to be tightly limited.

Reconfiguring a lot on ALC Class A or Class B land should not be supported if it would result in
allotment sizes that fragment, alienate or result in loss or diminished productive capacity of
agricultural land. However it is not recommended that performance based planning result in
applicants submitting agricultural land studies to disprove the agricultural value of lands. This
approach has led to poor outcomes in the past.

Minimum lot sizes need to be enforced to enable continued agricultural viability and a range of
farming options long term, whether it is good quality soils or not, especially as there are various
farming practices less reliant on soil quality.

Despite continued pressure, the excision of titles for family members is prohibited by a State
Planning Regulatory Provision, even where a second dwelling exists. The cumulative impact of
small lot subdivisions on the rural countryside is severely adverse through the ultimate sale of
these lots outside the original family and the introduction of new families with an expectation of a
lifestyle free of nearby intrusions.

Exception to the minimum lot size should be made where a portion of land is being excised for
conservation purposes. For instance, in an effort to protect remnant vegetation or riparian
corridors a portion of a rural property might be cut off and sold to Council or the State. This is not
currently permitted but is worth advocating for as part of the SEQ Regional Plan review.




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