The Sunshine Coast could still get an advanced equine veterinary clinic if a plan to relocate an approved development from Yandina to a nearby suburb is given the green light by council.
The centre would include facilities for observing horses, including x-rays, surgeries and quarantine.
It would become the first equine care centre of its kind within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of the region, with the closest similar facility in the Lockyer Valley.
Planning documents show the proposal seeks to relocate the equine care facility approved by council at Toolborough Rd, Yandina.
The equine care centre is now proposed for a 20ha parcel of land on Bunya Road, Bridges, which is about a five-minute drive from the Yandina site.
“The basis for the relocation of the facility … is that the subject site contains a higher level of infrastructure that will support the proposed development,” the planning report states.
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Adams and Sparkes Town Planning lodged the material change of use application to the Sunshine Coast Council on December 20 on behalf its client Chappies Pty Ld.
The planning report states: “Although there are existing equine care providers located on the Sunshine Coast, these existing operations do not contain the necessary facilities to provide high care (observation and surgery) and are not capable of dealing with more complex procedures and surgeries.
“Currently, where horses require more intense observation or emergency services, they are required to be transferred to either the UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital (UQ Gatton Campus), or WestVETS Equine Hospital in Anstead.
“Due to horse floats not being able to drive through the transport tunnels within Brisbane, the closest equine facility is UQ VETS, which is approximately 2.5 hours drive from the Sunshine Coast.
“The development will also assist in anchoring the Sunshine Coast as an equine hub and has the potential to support the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. It is noted that the Sunshine Coast Turf Club currently transfers a considerable amount of horses weekly to Gatton for surgeries and observation.”
The proposal’s layout plans prepared by Olivet Designs revealed ”a number of buildings” planned for the site, including:
- A main operations building with specialist exam rooms, x-ray and ultrasound room, laboratory, sterilising room, pharmacy, meeting areas, offices and sleeping quarters.
- An advanced imaging barn with four stables and an x-ray/observation room.
- A feed, podiatry and equipment shed.
- An isolation and treatment area.
- Three stable buildings containing eight stables each.
The development would also include external holding areas, as well as bedding storage and a muck holding. The development will utilise the external paddocks for animal observation pre- and post-treatment.
It was proposed the development be done in stages.
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