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Home / Building Better Neighbourhoods / Amendment Package 1 - Fraser Coast Planning Scheme

Amendment Package 1 - Fraser Coast Planning Scheme

At the Special Council meeting on 16th Wednesday, April 2025, Council resolved to send the proposed Amendment Package 1 - Fraser Coast Planning Scheme to the State Government for a State Interest Review. 

What are the Package 1 amendments? 

The Package 1 amendments focus on improvements to the planning scheme identified during the 10 year review of the planning scheme, as outlined in the Building Better Neighbourhoods Roadmap. 

Click here for the summary of the proposed changes in Package 1 Amendments.  

For more information about the Building Better Neighbourhoods Roadmap, please click here.

What happens now? 

The Council's resolution was the first step in a series of actions that Council must take before considering formally adopting the proposed amendments to the planning scheme. In essence, the resolution will result in Council requesting that the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning: 

  1. Complete the mandatory State Interest Review of the draft amendments. 
  2. Approve the Engagement & Public Consultation Strategy. 
  3. Approve Council proceeding to public consultation of the draft amendments for community feedback. 

This step is expected to take approximately six months, although the duration may vary based on the timing and nature of the Minister's response. Once Council receives the Minster's response, Council will need to consider and respond to any State requirements before proceeding to public consultation. 

It is estimated that the full statutory amendment process may take 12-16 months to fully complete and will involve multiple steps including: 

  • State Interest Review 
  • Public Consultation 
  • Consideration of Submissions 
  • Council Resolutions 
  • Ministerial Approvals 

The planning scheme amendment process must be undertaken in accordance with the Planning Act 2016  and the Minister's Guidelines and Rules. 

To stay updated on the progress of the proposed amendments through a statutory process, please subscribe by clicking the "follow project" button. 

Major Amendment Process

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    Preparation of amendment

    Draft of Package 1 Amendments. 
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    Council Resolution

    At the 16/04/25 Council meeting, Council resolves to submit Amendment Package 1 - Fraser Coast Planning Scheme to the State Government for...
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    State Interest Review

    State Interest Review and Ministers approval to commence public consultation.  We are here

    Current Estimate: 6 months from submission by...
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    Public Consultation

    Statutory public consultation process. Council accepts written submissions on the proposed amendments. 
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    Consideration of Submissions

    Submissions considered and draft amendments may be modified based on feedback. Where substantial changes are made Council undertake further public...
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    Council Resolution

    Council resolves to commence major amendment for Ministerial Review. 
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    Ministerial Review

    Proposed amendments and consulation outcome report submitted to Minister and Approval to Adopt sought. 

    Minimum 40 business days
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    Adoption

    Council must decide by resolution to adopt the proposed Amendment Package 1. 

    Date: To be determine  

Document Library

FAQs

The Planning Scheme regulates growth and development in our region.

The community, the development industry and governments look to the planning scheme to understand a local government's plan for managing growth and change, including what sort of development that can be expected in a local area. 

A Planning Scheme regulates: 

  • What development should occur where - by including each parcel of land in a zone. 
  • How development should occur - by outlining the rules (codes) against which development must be assessed. 
  • What assessment process is required - by stating whether a development application is required, and if so, the process to be followed. 

More information can also be found by referring to the State Government's fact sheet: What is a planning scheme?  

Every local government in Queensland is required to prepare a planning scheme under the Planning Act 2016. A Planning Scheme is our plan for how the Fraser Coast Region will develop and respond to change in the long-term. It is a legal documents that provides a local framework for managing future growth and development. 

Planning Schemes: 

  • Set a vision for the local government area; 
  • Contain state, regional and local policies; 
  • Regulate development; 
  • Identify desired outcomes for assessing proposed development; and 
  • Plan for infrastructure networks. 

The Queensland planning framework is governed by the Planning Act 2016. Local Governments must prepare a planning scheme and must follow the Minister's Guidelines and Rules. Council must consider state interests and associated mapping when preparing an amendments to the planning scheme (including the State Planning Policy and the Regional Plan). 

Council must complete the State Interest Review and obtain the Minister's approval before commencing public consultation. 

Amendments to a planning scheme only take effect at the completion of the legislated amendment process. The amendment process can may take 12-16 months to fully complete and will involve multiple steps including: 

  • State Interest Review 
  • Approvals from the State Government 
  • Public Consultation 
  • Consideration of Submissions 
  • Requirements for future Council resolutions  

Changes proposed as part of Amendment Package 1 were informed by: 

  • Recommendations and feedback received during the Planning Scheme Review as detailed in the Building Better Neighbourhoods Roadmap 
  • State Planning Policy 
  • Legislation 
  • Consultation activities 

To inform proposed changes, Council staff have: 

  • Engaged specialist consultants to complete background studies. 
  • Reviewed relevant development applications to identify policy gaps and changes. 
  • Benchmarked other Councils' planning schemes across Queensland. 
  • Received input and advice from subject matters experts, the State Government, industry and Council technical and operational staff.