MCU21/0194.01 – APPLICATION FOR AN OTHER CHANGE TO A DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR A ROADSIDE STALL TO INCLUDE A FOOD AND DRINK OUTLET AT 201 MARY RIVER RD, COOROY (Referred from Planning & Environment Committee dated 7 November 2023 - Item 5.2) · ATTACHMENT 2 – OFFICER’S REPORT

impact assessment process. Accordingly, the application must be assessed against the whole of
Noosa Plan 2020 to the extent the provisions are relevant to the development.
FOOD AND DRINK OUTLET USE
3.3.1 Strategic Framework
The Strategic Framework intent identifies that throughout the hinterland, rural living, bushland
management, rural production and nature-based tourism will be the focus, with significant land
protected for its agriculture potential or for biodiversity values. The strategic intent also identifies
that working farms will coexist with complementary enterprises, outdoor recreation and rural
tourism.
This strategic intent is reflected in the following strategic outcomes:
      Section 3.3.1 Settlement
      (e)   Outside urban and rural residential areas, lands are maintained for their rural,
            landscape and biodiversity values. The hinterland accommodates vibrant villages, rural
            living, agricultural and complementary enterprises, and natural bushland tracts against
            a backdrop of mountains, ranges and waterways.
      Section 3.3.5 Economy and Employment
      (h)   Activity centres are vibrant hubs of activity with appropriate mixed uses creating diverse
            enterprise and housing opportunities, as well as access to good transport, community
            services and well-connected fast communication and digital services.
      (v)   Important agricultural areas, shown on the Agricultural Land Map in Schedule 2, are
            recognised for their contribution to a diverse economy, food security and good
            stewardship of the land for future generations. Agricultural lands are protected from
            encroachment and fragmentation from incompatible land uses.
      (w)   Rural enterprises provide a variety of services and employment opportunities and
            growth in traditional and emerging sections are encouraged. These may include
            primary production, agribusiness, value adding, farm gate sales, cottage industries,
            artisans workshops and rural tourism.
The proposal will not compromise the biodiversity values or rural productivity capacity of the site
as no clearing is proposed and the area being used for the roadside stall and food and drink outlet
is not viable for farming, given its limited area and suitability due to it being vegetated.
However, the food and drink element of this proposal is at odds with the strategic outcomes for
rural areas and business centres as it is not a rural activity or rural enterprises, it is an urban activity
and such uses are intended to be located in business centres to contribute to their vibrancy. The
food and drink outlet also does not value add to the site’s rural activities. It is also clear from its
past and current operations that the food and drink outlet is the primary use, with the roadside stall
a minor component only.
The proposed food and drink outlet also predominantly caters to passing trade, largely locals living
in the area, and has only a limited tourism focus. While part of the Noosa trail network is located
nearby, east of the Bruce Highway, the proposal is not on a well-recognised tourist route or located
in proximity to a rural tourist attraction. It is located approximately 2.1km from the entrance to the
Cooroy’s town centre, opposite the Cooroy Transfer Station and Rural Fire Service.
3.3.2 Cooroy Local Plan Code
While the subject site is not located in the mapped Cooroy Local Plan Area, it is located within
close proximity to Cooroy, and therefore the Local Plan Code for Cooroy is relevant to the
assessment of this proposal. In particular, the following overall and performance outcomes are
notable:
Section 7.2.2 Overall Outcomes
      (b)   Development is limited to land within the urban boundary and maintains a defined edge
            to the town to protect and reinforce the character and identity of Cooroy, provide
            efficient provision of infrastructure and services, avoid constrained land and protect the
            landscape character and productivity of surrounding rural and rural residential land.