2016-12-12 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             12 DECEMBER 2016


REPORT
1.   PROPOSAL
The application seeks approval for the charitable organisation Sunshine Butterflies Incorporated
to establish ‘Our Backyard’, a hobby farm designed to improve lives of people with disabilities
and their families offering support, information and individual assistance. Our Backyard is
proposed to incorporate all Sunshine Butterflies activities in a rural setting which includes art,
drama, woodwork, horticulture, permaculture gardening, aquaculture, swimming and animal care.
The development proposes an administration office, respite house, sheds, therapy room and
general spaces and raised gardens for the various activities. Hours of operation are 9am to 4pm
with overnight respite consisting of 2 members/clients at a time. It is envisaged there would be 5 -
10 staff per day plus up to 20 clients per day. A free transport service is offered to clients from
town.
The development proposes 21 car spaces with access to the site being a dedicated entry and
separate exit point to maintain safety.
Events will include overnight camp outs up to 6 times per year and 3 major fundraising events
with up to 100 patrons attending each event. The implementation of parking would be managed
through a parking management plan which includes off site parking and shuttle bus drop off
arrangements.
On site sewage treatment is provided with temporary portaloos proposed for the occasional
special event.
The area of the site affected by the Biodiversity Overlay is proposed to be enhanced into a
koala/wildlife area.
The use has been operating in a limited capacity for approximately 1 year.
The application is before Council as the proposed use is inconsistent in the Rural Settlement
zone. Figure 1 is a master plan of the site.




Figure 1 – Site layout




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