A Tinbeerwah rural-zoned property has been given approval to operate as a short-term accommodation (STA) dwelling for up to eight people, despite having been advertised on an STA online site, prior to approval, allowing up to 15 people to stay there.

At its April Ordinary meeting, Noosa Council gave the go-ahead for the property located on Cooroy Noosa Road, in the ‘service road’ sector along from Sunrise Rd.

Once approved for a restaurant, the five-bedroom property sits on 2.93 hectares, short of the usual four-hectare minimum for rural STA consideration.

In the earlier General Committee meeting, Cr Tom Wegener questioned what he saw was a contradiction in approving an STA within the rural code, which among other things supports “sustainable use of land” and “does not distract from rural amenity”.

The staff report states “The Noosa Plan 2020 supports small scale visitor accommodation in the hinterland areas, subject to meeting a number of requirements. 

“The application has demonstrated compliance with these requirements being small scale and compatible with the surrounding area, with no rural activities operating in the immediate area.”

The report indicates the nearest dwelling to the property is 160 metres away.

Councillors approved the application in a 6-1 vote, Cr Wegener dissenting.