The future of a proposed $10million farmstay and adventure park that has attracted a high level of community interest will be decided at Thursday’s Sunshine Coast Council meeting.
Council officers are recommending approval of the Woombye development proposed by a pioneering local family, but feedback from the public has been split.
A total of 330 submissions were received, including 247 “properly made” submissions of which 132 were in support and 115 against the proposal.
There were also 83 “not properly made” submissions, consisting of 66 in support of the proposal and 17 against.
Matters raised centred on the economic need, traffic impacts, acoustic concerns as well as environment, visual and landscape issues (scroll down to read some comments).
Highgate Developments Pty Ltd lodged the development permit with Sunshine Coast Council for a material change of use to establish the tourist park on Diddillibah Road, Woombye.
Directors Andrew and Joanne Pitcher told SCN in April that the holiday facility in an idyllic county setting aimed to fill a gap in accommodation as Olympic fever grows.
In light of councillors deciding its fate on Thursday, Mr Pitcher said the application was incredibly comprehensive and the proposition was unique in Australia.
“We cannot comment further on council’s assessment process at this time,” Mr Pitcher said.
In their submission, Keith and Jenny McKay, of Towen Mountain, supported the proposal, writing, “I have viewed the proposal and support in principal the application for the following reasons:
- Complementary to the proposed redevelopment of the Big Pineapple site
- Economic opportunity — consistent with the preservation of “rural lands”
- Employment opportunities for the Sunshine Coast.”
Woombye’s David Gaskin also supported the tourist park, writing: “I believe this is great for the community and will bring business to the town of Woombye.
“I do believe that Diddillibah Rd would need attention to make it wider and a better surface to make it safer for the extra traffic and vans.”
But local resident Miroslav Arandjelovic objected, writing: “This 180-site development will generate significant traffic on the single lane ‘one of two’ routes to home, no question.
“(It would) also greatly disrupt the peaceful village-like amenity that characterises our beautiful locality.”
Judith Watson, of Woombye, also objected to the proposal, on the grounds it would greatly increase the volume of traffic on “the small country road”.
“This will increase the danger to all pedestrians walking along Diddillibah Rd, including those walking to the village as there is no pedestrian walkway,” she wrote.
“The increased volume of traffic will increase the danger of exiting and entering Moorhouse Rd, leading to the potential of serious life-threatening accident occurring, as this junction is already at a blind corner.
“It will also increase traffic noise pollution along the road which will be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the current population.”
The Pitchers have big plans for creating farm-based facilities and activities on the 26.5ha site, bordered by Paynters Creek on the northern boundary.
The Pitcher-Gibson family heritage goes back several generations in Woombye and Nambour.
The Woombye Soccer Club has the Pitcher Family Stand, for example, and family members hold several life memberships of other regional clubs (soccer, cricket, boxing, tennis).
Sixty6 Acres plans to create 132 sites (20 two-bedroom high-end cabins, 19 luxury glamping tents, 49 van and RV sites and 44 camping sites).
As well as the accommodation options, the staged proposal would include:
- The Stables, accommodating a variety of farm animals for interaction.
- Mountain biking trails over the north-east portion of the site
- An Adventure Park made up of giant hay bales, flying fox/zip line, climbing tractor, tractor tyres and log climbing gym and tyre swings.
- Water activities from the jetty on the central dam for kayaks, stand up paddle boards and fishing.
- Bushwalking trails over the north-western portion.
- Fire pits and picnic tables scattered throughout.
- Community Centre next to the site’s entrance along Walden Road.
- African safari-style infinity pool integrated into the community centre.
- Sports precinct on the northern portion, comprising an oval, multipurpose basketball and tennis courts.
- Golf pitch and putt next to the sports precinct.
- Country Café.
The development also incorporates a number of vegetated areas, including a vineyard and orchard areas. Rehabilitation of Paynter Creek is also proposed.
The maximum occupancy of the tourist park will be 284 people. All facilities will be for guests only, with no external use by the general public.
The council’s Ordinary meeting will be held at Council Chambers, 1 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra, at 9am on Thursday and can be live streamed at: Sunshine Coast Council
