By Jolene Ogle
SUNSHINE Butterflies has received a special treat just in time for Christmas with councillors voting to approve their application for a therapy hobby farm in Cooroibah.
Sunshine Butterflies team members who were in the council chambers on Monday burst into applause when councillors voted to approve the application.
The approval of the hobby farm, known as Our Backyard, is a dream come true for founder Leanne Walsh.
In 2015 Ms Walsh worked hard for 12 months to raise enough funds to buy the five acre property after the industrial unit where the farm was originally based was sold.
Sunshine Butterflies already offers programs for special needs clients as well as respite and can now add animal therapy to its list of services.
Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie praised the organisation and said the application is in conflict with the planning scheme but, in this case, the benefit to the community justified overriding the plan.
“This application is in conflict with the scheme but the benefit to the community is overwhelming,” he said. “I am proud to have even a distant association with Sunshine Butterflies.”
Twenty-six conditions were placed on the development approval including a $10,000 bond to ensure all the conditions are met, a limit on the height of buildings, a minimum of 21 car parks, and the planting of koala food trees along certain boundaries.
The most costly condition for the organisation will be changes to McKinnon Drive to allow for vehicles to turn right into the site.
Ms Walsh said she hoped to gain financial support for the cost of road works, which could range from $50,000 up to $100,000.
“Why should donations have to pay for road works,” she said.
“We’re hoping the State Government will help with the cost. We have no financial support from the Government through funding, so maybe they can help with this cost.”
