2015-11-10 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             10 NOVEMBER 2015


Rural enterprises were matters that received considerable attention during the consultation
period with many rural stakeholders very supportive of the changes to increase the range of
home-based businesses, roadside stalls and home hosted B&Bs and RV camping that could
establish without requiring a planning approval if the criteria of the relevant codes are met.

If codes are precise and measurable it should be apparent whether a business operator complies
or not. Staff consider the applicable self-assessment criteria to be sound and it is still
recommended that the proposed amendments proceed to improve flexible family housing
choices, visitor exposure to the hinterland and allow small businesses to prosper. Resources
need to be committed to education and compliance whether planning approval is necessary or
not.

“Granny flats” have already been self-assessable in urban neighbourhoods and the Rural
Settlement zone but these proposed amendments would do away with the need for planning
approval within the Rural Zone as well. No changes are proposed that would change siting
limitations or setbacks from boundaries. It is not appropriate to regulate that houses include self-
contained flats. It is however appropriate as proposed to make it easier for people who choose
to incorporate one.

There was a submission of support for proposed changes in the Rural Zone, ensuring the
eventual long term sustainability and viability of rural/agricultural properties in the Noosa Shire,
however the submitter specifically sought:
 That the minimum separation distances for free range/grazing poultry be to their housing
     structure, as it is with all other animals in the plan, not their grazing fields. This would be
     consistent with the State’s model code that refers to distance from poultry farm building
     complex to relevant aspect and other animals can graze right up to property boundaries.
 That there be more scope for a boutique free range pig farm on properties over 10ha in area
     without it going through a MCU. They believe that if all setbacks and stocking rates are as
     per the Noosa Plan, free range pigs would have considerably less impact than a horse which
     has no separation distance or stocking density, and that the key is free ranging and no fixed
     shelters or mechanical feeding.
It is suggested the wording in relation to chickens could be amended as suggested but that the
matter of low impact pig farms be held over to preparation of the next planning scheme, with
more engagement of the rural community.

Koala Habitat Mapping

Council received two objections to the Koala habitat mapping at the Noosa North Shore. The
mapping shows areas of potential koala habitat across the Noosa Shire. The objections related to
the methodology used, its relationship to the State’s mapping, and the North Shore’s suitability
for koalas based on vegetation type. The state’s koala mapping SPP2/10 classifies much of the
area as Low Value Bushland.

Because koala habitat information and koala records are regularly being updated and improved
(such as with the current koala tracking work using Maya the dog), the proposed approach of
having a statutory map in Schedule 7 of the planning scheme is now not seen as the best
approach as it does not allow for input of new data is it comes in.

An information map that sits outside the scheme is now proposed that depicts areas of known
habitat and high, medium and low preference habitat. The mapping would sit in Council’s Koala
Conservation Plan once it is developed and would be used to direct conservation efforts. This
would also allow Council to review and update the mapping more readily as new information
arises. The map can still be used for information as part of the development assessment process
as a way of identifying potential habitat values that need consideration as part of the design and
siting of new development.

                                                                                  Page 124 of 201