A development application has been lodged seeking to establish an outdoor education centre on a rural property outside Noosa.
The proposal for the four-hectare property at 38 Boronia Road, Cootharaba, would involve up to 20 students at any one time participating in a “nature-based outdoor learning program”.
A town planning assessment report by Brennan Planning on behalf of applicants William and Sonja Howard says activities at the proposed centre would include “guided nature walks, seasonal studies and outdoor living lessons”.
“The proposed outdoor education centre will operate on a part-time, low-intensity basis two days per week, generally Tuesday and Thursday, and between the hours of 8.30am and 3pm,” it says.
“Some flexibility in operating days is required to allow for rescheduling due to illness or unforeseen circumstances.
“At all times of operation, the centre will be supervised by one qualified teacher and one teacher aide.
“The centre is intended to provide a structured nature-based outdoor learning program for students, with activities centred on environmental education, observation and experiential learning within the natural landscape of the site.
“The program promotes awareness of local ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental stewardship, with the landscape preserved and used as a learning resource.”
The outdoor education activities would take place within a 1.8-hectare portion of the site in the southwestern corner, near the property’s frontage to Boronia Road and Callistemon Court.
No new buildings are proposed, with an existing shed at the site to be used for shade, weather protection and some group learning activities. It would be fitted with toilet facilities and connected to an on-site effluent disposal system.
The shed has a gross floor area of about 150sqm and a maximum height of 4.85 metres.
“The use of this existing structure minimises the need for additional construction works and ensures the development remains consistent with the low-impact nature of the proposal,” the report states.
A small gravel parking area with five spaces is also proposed. To accommodate a driveway extension, about five black wattle and broad-leaved paperbark trees would need to be removed.
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The property also includes an existing dwelling house and secondary dwelling, as well as a small area of vegetation with biodiversity significance, all of which would be avoided by the proposal.
“Overall, the proposal represents a small-scale, low-intensity outdoor educational use that is closely integrated with the natural environment,” the report states.
“The development relies primarily on existing infrastructure, involves minimal built form and site disturbance, and is consistent with the establishment of an outdoor education centre that is compatible with the character and environmental values of the site.
“The proposal provides an educational service that complements existing schooling options by offering a nature-based outdoor learning program. This contributes positively to the diversity of educational facilities available within the Shire and supports broader community wellbeing.”
The application, which is subject to code assessment, is undergoing consideration by Noosa Council.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
