A tourist park with cabins and caravan and camping sites on a “working farm” has been proposed for the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
A development application has been lodged by On the Level (Qld) for a tourist park, food and drink outlet and function facility at the Glass House Mountains.
A report by I/B Town Planning outlined plans for sections of the 8.95ha (22-acre) two-lot site at 29 Roberts Street.
The proposed tourist park is set to include accommodation, with eight eco cabins and a 12-site caravan and camping site (for less than 300 people), plus amenities.
“A key component of the tourist park will be the integration of existing and proposed rural uses on the property, to create a farm stay-style retreat that will integrate with the natural features of the land, including the large dam and the established animal husbandry uses on the site for the keeping and breeding of clydesdale horses,” the report said.
“In addition, a market garden/small crops area will be established.
“These associated rural use areas will allow guests to enjoy authentic farm experiences such as the care of animals, horse rides and tending to or collecting small crops to provide a paddock-to-plate experience within the food and drink outlet on the site.”
There are also plans for a small timber mill to be built on the site, to house traditional timber mill machinery for display purposes.
“This is intended to add to the overall farm experience and showcase history from the surrounding district,” the report said.
The suggested food and drink outlet would include a visitor centre/cafe/function facility.
“(It) will perform a variety of functions in conjunction with the development, including the provision of meals for guests of the tourist park, the check-in and check-out location for guests, as well as being accessible for members of the public who are not staying at the tourist park,” the report said.
It’s expected to have 450sqm of floor area and a 5m deck overlooking the dam.
The building’s maximum capacity could be for less than 250 people.
“Given the scenic qualities of the site and the working farm characteristics that will be in operation for the tourist park component, it is anticipated that this will give rise to demand for functions to be held on the site,” the report said.
“It is common for working farms or tourist destinations within the shire to be used for weddings and other functions.”
Wedding guests could stay at the tourist park.
There are plans for all buildings on the site – with a maximum height of 7.7m – to fit in with the natural contours of the land, and generally be lightweight on stumps.
“The overall design intent for the development is to cluster new buildings together to minimise the developed footprint on the site, whilst also blending with the working farm aspects … to promote an engaging but environmentally sensitive built form.
“The new building works are designed to be minimally invasive and will be complemented by additional vegetation.
“The overall design is considered to provide a small but high-quality tourist facility that is attractive and engaging, with an architectural character that reflects the nature of the use.”
The report said the site was previously cleared for agricultural purposes.
The proposal also includes 75 on-site parking spaces, with 52 parks dedicated to the main building.
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Areas of the site are flood-prone but the proposed building areas are set to be located outside those areas.
There are plans for landscaping and construction to have minimal impacts on the environment and nearby.
“It is considered that the site is ideally located to provide a tourist-oriented facility of this nature, and the design of the proposal ensures that it will not result in adverse amenity impacts on surrounding properties,” the report said.
The report also said the proposal was designed to not compromise a planned upgrade/widening of the north coast rail corridor.
The application is subject to impact assessment and public notification is required.
Sunshine Coast News has contacted the developer and planner for comment.
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