2016-12-12 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                               12 DECEMBER 2016


While the proposal is defined as a Wellbeing use and inconsistent in the zone, many of the
services offered are of a rural nature typically seen in the rural residential areas and therefore the
Overall Outcomes offer some support for the use. The proposal is compatible with the
surrounding area being of rural/semi-rural character which is utilising large open spaces in a
bushland setting for the farm based activities. The development is proposing to rehabilitate the
land affected by the Biodiversity Overlay, which is currently degraded and a landscaped buffer is
proposed along all boundaries. Given the rural nature of the use, significant impacts are unlikely
to the surrounding properties, albeit some unobtrusive and minor noise impacts may occur
occasionally when special fundraising events are held.
Notwithstanding the above, the proposal is inconsistent with the intent for the site and the
applicant must therefore demonstrate a need for the proposal within the subject zone. Need for a
development is commonly recognised as relating to community wellbeing. A development may
be said to be needed if, on balance, it improves community wellbeing. Wellbeing may be
improved by access to new services or facilities or a range of other ways. In addition, new uses
must be compatible with surrounding uses in terms of amenity, the environment and economics.
Need
The Noosa Social Strategy identifies that many community service providers are located outside
the Shire and ‘as a result Noosa Shire residents often have to travel to access services. Some of
these service providers are actively exploring the possibility of creating one stop shops to co
locate multiple services across the Shire in order to better meet the needs of their clients,
enhance information flow and achieve efficiencies of scale and better use of resources’.
Charitable organisations are an integral part of the social fabric providing essential services that
are to some extent not provided by the government or business sectors. The Social Strategy
states:
‘Not-for-profit community organisations fill the gaps left by the government and business sectors,
often providing direct assistance to the most vulnerable in the community. Support from
corporate sponsors and the community, as well as government at all levels, is needed to sustain
a healthy not-for-profit sector.’
The following key issue is outlined in Noosa Social Strategy as challenging to the Noosa
community:
‘Support, respite and affordable independent living options: Teenagers and adults with an
intellectual or physical disability (and their carers) living in the Noosa Shire have particular needs
that are not always being met particularly in living, vocational and study skills.’
A ‘one stop’ hobby farm based respite and support service is currently not readily available for
individuals living with disabilities and their families in Noosa. The proposal is a unique service
that partially fulfils the need outlined above by the Noosa Social Plan. It is considered the
application has merit in that it fulfils a need and is improving the wellbeing of the individuals and
families it supports as well as the community’s wellbeing by adding positively to Noosa’s social
fabric.
Land Use & Works Provisions
The following Planning Scheme Codes are most applicable to this application:
     Community Uses Code
     Landscaping Code
     Engineering Works Codes
     Biodiversity Overlay
     Natural Hazards Overlay Code




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