Public notification is underway for proposed expansions at a hinterland wedding venue.
Located just outside Maleny, the venue has been hosting weddings, functions and events for more than three decades.
The 75.3-hectare property includes on-site accommodation for up to 70 guests, a restaurant, recreational facilities including a swimming pool, barbecue areas and a tennis court.
In December last year a development application was lodged with Sunshine Coast Council to amend the existing town planning permit at Maleny Country Estate.
The application was lodged by Alan Holliday Pty Ltd on behalf of its client Pelco Qld Pty Ltd, which owns the venue at 366 Reesville Road, Reesville.
It seeks to allow weddings and events to be conducted beneath a temporary marquee on external lawn areas.
Formally known as Solothurn Rural Resort, the property was first developed in 1982.
The current permit was issued on August 6, 1992, and since then events have taken place within the existing function building and onsite chapel.
It is understood the catalyst for the permit change came after the applicant unsuccessfully applied to council for a liquor licence for the lawn area.
The rejection was because the now-proposed marquee areas did not have appropriate planning approval.
“These optional marquee areas are to provide customers with a choice of location,” the town planning report states.
“Importantly, only one function or wedding will occur on the site at any single time, regardless of whether the function or wedding is conducted beneath a marquee on an outdoor lawn area, or within the function building.”
The application also seeks a liquor licence for the lawn area, plus associated renovations and upgrades to the existing guesthouse and restaurant, games room and function building.
“The proposed building renovation work includes not only aesthetic upgrades, but also a redistribution or floor space and activities within the affected buildings to achieve improved workflow, functionality and efficiency,” the report states.
It is understood the proposed permit changes will not impact current use of the site.
“The pre-existing intensity of the rural resort use will not change as a consequence of the proposal to conduct outdoor weddings/functions beneath a marquee,” the report says.
The notification period will run until July 31. More information on the proposal is available here.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
