2015-11-10 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              10 NOVEMBER 2015


2.    SITE DETAILS
2.1. Background
The greenhouse was constructed in December 2013 without a planning approval.
In early 2014, Council became aware of the development when nearby residents raised concerns
about generator noise, sediment & erosion control, and the safety of Lake Macdonald Drive as a
result of increased numbers of trucks accessing the site.
On the 13 June 2014, an application was lodged for three greenhouses (including the existing).
Further information was sought from the applicant clarifying the extent of traffic, stormwater and
flooding impacts. During this time, immediate remedial works were undertaken by the applicant
including connecting the greenhouse to mains power, grass swales established to control
stormwater, and a temporary access arranged with the neighbouring Wimmers soft drink factory
(271 Lake Macdonald Drive).
While the applicant prepared its response to Council’s information request (including a detailed
flood study and negotiating permanent access through the adjoining property) in early February
2015, flooding associated with Cyclone Yasi caused up to 1m of water to flow through the
greenhouse. This event resulted in debris from the tomato plants, growing media and plastic
being washed into the nearby waterway (see Attachment 1 – Flooding Inspection).
The applicant was immediately ordered to remove all debris from the waterway within 3 days,
which it complied with. The applicant indicated the debris washed into the creek was used dry
grow bags that had been stockpiled for removal.


2.2. Site Description
The site at 305 Lake Macdonald Drive is 33.4ha in size and located on flat land between two
existing creeks forming part of the Mary River catchment. Native vegetation surrounds the
existing creek lines, with grassed areas and drainage swales surrounding the greenhouse.

There is an existing house located near the Lake Macdonald Drive entrance and an existing
170m2 farm shed within the middle of the site.

Three substantial earth bunds (up to 1.5m in height) have also been formed by the applicant to
assist in diverting flood water away from the greenhouse.
2.3. Surrounding Uses
A mix of industrial, agricultural and residential uses surrounds the site, as described below:
   Adjoining the site (305 Lake Macdonald Drive) to the south is the Wimmers soft drink
     factory at 271 Lake Macdonald Drive on a 14.14 ha lot. This site has approval to redevelop
     the former brickworks with a 2ha processing shed.
   Adjoining the site to the west is CSR’s westridge quarry on a 63.5ha lot. The quarry is
     separated from the subject site by a waterway and vegetation. The quarry has approval to
     excavate fill from the site to transfer to other CSR quarry pits located along Lake
     Macdonald Drive.
   Adjoining the site to the northeast is a 10.5ha rural zoned lot with a detached house and
     aquaculture ponds at 23 Liane Drive. The existing house is located 140m to the east of the
     greenhouse and is separated by a waterway.
   Adjoining the site to the southwest is a 4.6ha lot zoned for Community Services. The lot is
     owned by Unitywater and is used as an effluent disposal reserve area for several properties
     located on the eastern side of Lake Macdonald Drive that are within the dam catchment.
     This lot is vegetated along the boundary with the subject site, and the reserve areas are
     located on the higher parts of the lot.
A zoning map of the surrounding uses is included below as Figure 6.

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