Ballina Shire macadamia farm wants approval for ‘side hustle’ as wedding venue

Imagine saying “I do” at a stunning rural property, surrounded by rolling green hills and your loved ones.

A development application has been lodged to use a Ballina Shire macadamia farm as a wedding venue.

An Alstonvale macadamia farm is seeking approval from Ballina Shire Council for a ‘side hustle’ as a wedding venue.

The development application also includes the establishment of a jetty at the 8.46ha property.

The application, for 475 Pearces Creek Rd, explained the property already featured an existing dwelling house, macadamia farm and associated outbuildings.

The site is situated 13.5km northwest of Ballina and 16.5km east of Lismore.

The site has a frontage to Pearces Creek Road and Sneaths Road, both to the south.

Documents tabled with the council explained the development asked for the temporary use of land as a function centre for five years to host wedding ceremonies.

“The proposed use is to operate for a maximum of 38 days per year,” the documents state.

“Operation is to be limited to 12pm to 5.30pm (Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays) for guests and from 8am to 7pm for site set-up and pack-up.”

The approval would only be granted for hosting wedding ceremonies, not for receptions.

The site plan for a development application for a temporary wedding venue and function centre at 475 Pearces Creek Rd, Alstonvale.

“This assists in the protection of adjoining and surrounding amenity, particularly during night time hours,” the application stated.

The development application did not involve significant modifications to the site or the establishment of any new buildings.

The main change to the site would be the establishment a jetty over the existing dam, in the north western corner of the site, plus minor modifications for internal vehicle movement, demarcation of carparking and set-down and pick-up areas.

There would also be some work for the establishment of a landscape buffer along the western side of the site.

The development application also includes the establishment of a jetty at the 8.46ha property.

Amenities within the existing house will be available for use by the wedding party, the application detailed.

“However, portable toilets are to be delivered to and picked up from the site on the same day as any wedding event, for the use of all other guests,” the report added.

“The existing shed on the south western side of the site is to be used for serving of food and drinks before and after the ceremony.”

Visitors were expected to generally arrive and leave the site via a shuttle bus service, “reducing the requirement for carparking and minimising modifications to the site.”

If council grants their approval, it would mean an exception to the area’s zoning, as the land is within an RU1 Primary production zone, where wedding ceremonies are currently not allowed.

The application is on public exhibition at Ballina Shire Council’s website until June 25.