A club that flies model aeroplanes is appealing to the Planning and Environment Court after its plans to establish a new base were rejected by Sunshine Coast Council.
Suncoast Model Flyers Incorporated had its application for an outdoor sport and recreation facility on about 58 hectares at Dynes Road and Yandina-Coolum Road in Valdora rejected by the council, despite officers recommending the application for approval.
The proposal was initially submitted to council in May last year before public consultation took place in July, attracting 116 submissions in support and 145 against.
The application went before the council at its ordinary meeting in January, where all but two councillors voted to back a motion by divisional councillor Maria Suarez to reject the proposal.
Cr Suarez said the gravel road into the proposed facility did not achieve the minimum standard, that car parking was insufficient, that proposed buildings would impede views across the landscape and visual amenity, and that the proposal posed noise and dust problems for nearby residents.
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An appeal against the refusal of the proposal was filed on March 5 by solicitors Mills Oakley on behalf of Suncoast Model Flyers Incorporated.
The notice of appeal argues the development application should be approved, subject to conditions.
“The proposed use would have minimal impact on existing road infrastructure and the transport network is adequate for the amount of traffic likely to be generated by the use, being an average of 20 vehicle trips per day during the week,” it says.
“The provision of car parking spaces is sufficient to accommodate the number of vehicles likely to be parked on the site at any one time, with sufficient space provided for overflow parking.
“Any special or one-off events will be subject to separate consideration for an events permit if and when relevant.”
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It also notes there would be no adverse impact on visual amenity, with a 430m agricultural buffer proposed around any development.
“The proposed buildings/structures will be screened by existing on-site vegetation and sugar cane, and are consistent with the appearance of structures typically located on rural properties (such as farm sheds), therefore integrating into the surroundings,” it states.
The notice of appeal states noise and dust would not cause issues for nearby residents.
“The noise associated with the operation of model aircraft can be compared to noise expected within a rural environment with the operation of farming equipment, which presently surrounds the subject site,” it says.
The council’s statement of reasons for the decision notes that several steps be taken to help the club find a home, including having the council CEO review the Regional Facilities Plan for Difficult to Locate Sports, which was endorsed in 2019.
It also orders a review of council-owned land that may be suitable for relocation of the club by May 2025, and to advocate to the state government for assistance to establish a regional aeromodelling facility.
