Councillors have voted unanimously to approve a “unique tourism offering” which had caused some “angst” in a hinterland community.
The $10 million farmstay and adventure park will be built by the pioneering Pitcher family at Woombye.
The application for the new tourist park dominated Thursday’s Sunshine Coast Council meeting, igniting lengthy discussions by councillors.
But despite many residents opposing it, the Sixty6 Acres development was given the green light by all councillors.
Sixty6 Acres’ plans include 132 sites (20 two-bedroom high-end cabins, 19 luxury glamping tents, 49 van and RV sites and 44 camping sites).
Council received more than 100 public submissions against the new development, with a slightly higher number in favour of it.
The matters raised centred on the economic need, traffic impacts, acoustic concerns as well as environment, visual and landscape issues.
A comprehensive report was presented during the meeting, responding to the concerns raised as well as identifying some of council’s conditions of approval.
The motion of approval was moved by Cr Winston Johnston and seconded by Cr Peter Cox.
Upon hearing the presentation, Cr Cox said he fully supported the motion, calling the tourist park “a unique tourism offering.”
“From an economic development (point of view) this is very consistent with the preservation of rural lands,” Cr Cox said.
“There will be great employment opportunities for the Sunshine Coast, especially for those neighbouring businesses in Woombye and Nambour.”
The application conditions were adequate for the vast majority of the public concerns raised, he added.
“This has been an application that has caused some angst with people living in that close proximity,” Cr Johnston said.
“The main concerns were about traffic, noise and the flood area.
“Councillors asked significant questions regarding these issues and they have got all the relevant additional information required.”
He revealed his own traffic concern for the proposal.
“I had concerns about the intersection at Nambour-Connection Rd and Diddillibah Rd,” he said.
“However, Main Roads have said that with the traffic flows that occur on that road, they don’t believe it to be a problem.”
Cr Johnston amended the motion to include Clause 25 which says site maintenance, including any machinery works would only be carried out between the hours of 7am and 7pm.
Cr Maria Suarez and Cr David Law echoed Cr Johnston and Cr Cox’s sentiments.
Economic need report findings
- The property development meets the purpose and ideal outcomes of the rural zone code.
- The property would be complementary to the surrounding rural area because it proposes a form of low-key tourism development that relies on the natural environment and farming history of the area with its accommodation and activity offering.
- The site is well-located for tourism use having good road access and was in close proximity to council future district sports park.
Conditions of approval for noise
To actively manage and minimise future noise and prevent noise events, council recommended conditions for approval to include:
- Restricting the use of community facilities to guests only.
- Restricting hours of operation for guest facilities and for check in and check out.
- Restricting amplified music and voice to certain hours and prohibiting the same in the country café.
- Landscape buffers would be required surround sections the property.
Conditions of approval for traffic concerns
- Council’s report found Diddillibah Rd was a rural neighborhood collector and has the sufficient capacity to accommodate the development.
- The intersection (at Diddillibah Rd) would be required to be upgraded with channelised right-turn treatment into Walden road which is a turning pocket and a basic left turn treatment acceleration land into Walden road.
- These upgrades will improve safety for vehicles turning into Walden Rd and for through traffic.
