2016-09-06 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

Page 80 of 118

Strategic outcomes expressed as                                                  Achievement of the strategic outcomes over the last
Desired Environmental Outcomes (DEOs)                                            10 years
AGRICULTURE USES
Agricultural industry is maintained by—                                          Agricultural activities are enabled by recognition in the land use entitlements of
  i. | conserving land for economically viable and environmentally sustainable | the Rural Zone.   Additional support is provided through the Agricultural Land
      agricultural purposes;                                                     Conservation Areas included in the Natural Resources Overlay with the intent to
  ii. preventing the fragmentation of good quality agricultural land;            avoid alienation of good quality land from other forms of land use.
 iii. facilitating the growth of non-traditional, though high value, crops which
      have minimal impact on the natural environment or adjacent crops;          Historically agriculture was a strong contributor to Noosa’s economy through
 iv.  facilitating the growth of non-traditional animal husbandry practices such | timber getting, beef cattle and dairying. Fruit (bananas) and vegetables have
      as aquaculture where it does not alienate good quality agricultural land or | also been significant contributors. Although various enterprises had surges over
      have a detrimental impact upon the environment;                            time, a general decline in rural production began as far back as the 1920s.
 v.   protecting agricultural pursuits from incompatible uses;                      .           ;            .                                               ;
 vi. _ facilitating the growth of farm forestry practices;                       Agriculture continues to contribute to the character and economy of Noosa Shire
vil.  value adding to farm produce to enhance economic viability; and            particularly through pasture fed beef cattle, fruit and tree nuts. Extensive areas
viii. adopting water and energy efficient practices.                             of the Shire are suited to grazing and sown pasture.    Farm Forestry is also
   :                                                                             supported by Noosa & District Landcare.
                                                                                 There has been a shift from an emphasis on traditional farming to smaller
                                                                                 enterprises with many being lifestyle farms operated for a part time income. The
                                                                                 Noosa Plan offers additional opportunities to earn income through home based
                                                                                 businesses and on-farm visitor accommodation.
                                                                                 Over decades, much of the rural parts of the Shire have been re-subdivided into
                                                                                 lifestyle lots which has led to adverse effects on rural production through higher
                                                                                 land values and potential for conflicts between rural activities and rural residents.
                                                                                 However, the Reconfiguration of a Lot Code and the regulatory provisions of the
                                                                                 SEQ Regional Plan require a 100 ha minimum lot size and hence there has been
                                                                                 no recent subdivision of or alienation of rural land.

The Noosa Plan 2006 — Ten Year Review                                                                                                                   Page 5

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