A Brisbane-based businessman and his wife plan to establish a functions and wedding venue catering for up to 150 people on a waterfront hinterland site.
Kim Connor, founder of mortgage lender Firstmac, and his wife, Sia, own 20 hectares at 55 Hutton Road, Kiamba, on the edge of Wappa Dam.
KCBL, acting for the Kimsia Unit Trust, has applied for a material change of use to turn the property into a functions and wedding venue.
A town planning report submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council with the application describes the locality as “picturesque” and the site as “stunning”.
It says the surrounding mixture of rural properties and environmental conservation area “is an ideal setting for a proposed function facility on a large rural property with scenic panoramic views of Wappa Dam”.
Plans by Blackburne Jackson architects depict contemporary-style buildings with a total of 660sqm under roof, including 345sqm of internal space, 245sqm of verandah, 42sqm of bar and commercial kitchen, and 28sqm of amenities.
The existing main residence, plus an existing garage, would be remodelled and used for accommodation totalling nine bedrooms plus manager’s quarters, and an existing cottage refurbished to become two-bedroom groom’s accommodation.
A new building with an outlook over a dam inlet would provide a wet-weather chapel with terrace area for canapes and functions.
It is proposed the venue would be run under a strict management plan, with operating hours from 7am until midnight, although no night-time weddings and no amplified music in external areas after 10pm would be allowed.
The report says it is anticipated that the property would host up to four events a week, not limited to weddings.
“With respect to the function facility use of the site, whilst the design has been tailored for weddings, the facility will also accommodate conferences and long lunch events,” it says.
The report says that the existing access would remain and the existing hardstand area would be used for parking.
The property is in a landslip zone but the report says the site is not at significant risk.
The application documents say any extra stormwater generated by the proposal would be minimal and waste water would be dealt with by the existing on-site system, with septic pump-outs as necessary.
Wappa Dam captures drinking water for the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
A portion of the property was cleared to the water’s edge last year.
A council spokesperson said it investigated a complaint about vegetation clearing on the property last year, finding that it was for property maintenance and a development permit was not necessary.
Seqwater said last July that it discovered the clearing during a routine inspection and was “working in collaboration with the landowner to implement erosion and sediment controls”.
Mr Connor was contacted for comment but declined to do so at this stage of the application process.
The report recommends the council approve the venue.
“Given the stunning nature and ambience of the property, it has been demonstrated that this proposal is certainly appropriate on this site, subject to supporting noise and traffic management measures,” it says.
