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Building Better Neighbourhoods

Stage 3 of the Planning Scheme Review Project

online community engagement

Building Better Neighbourhoods forms Stage 3 of the Planning Scheme Review Project

A lot has changed in the 10 years since we adopted our planning scheme, so we are updating it to future proof our region!

Council has recently completed a review of its planning scheme (Stages 1 & 2 of the Planning Scheme Review Project)and has found opportunities to make improvements.

As part of the review we consulted with industry, stakeholders and the community to obtain their feedback and also undertook an audit of the planning scheme.

We found that while the planning scheme is structurally sound, there are opportunities for improvements to be made.

Council has agreed on a Building Better Neighbourhoods roadmap for how we are going to update and make improvements to the planning scheme. Click here to read the Building Better Neighbourhoods roadmap.

The roadmap identifies seven core themes for improving the planning scheme.

Whether it be in our residential suburbs, our business precincts or our rural areas, it’s all about building better neighbourhoods on the Fraser Coast.

Some residents might be surprised at what an intensive process drafting planning scheme amendments is. The financial commitment is very significant and the amendment project will be staged over the next 3-4 years.

Ongoing participation is required to ensure community and industry expectations are reflected in the planning scheme.

Onsite Sewage Facilities Project

Onsite Sewage Facilities Project

See the outcomes from the Onsite Sewage Facilities project and associated draft planning scheme amendments here.

Category : Efficiently plan and deliver infrastructure
Created On :  06 March 2023
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Mapping Matters of Local Environmental Significance

Mapping Matters of Local Environmental Significance

We have studied our local environment and identified locally important features. Read the report including recommendations from a panel of experts, and how the project relates to our Planning Scheme Review.

Category : Our unique environment is protected and enhanced
Created On :  01 November 2022
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Background

This Building Better Neighbourhoods initiative includes urban and suburban localities, our rural villages, coastal townships and commercial, education and industrial hubs. Importantly, our employment areas and the natural environment also play key roles in supporting our neighbourhoods.

Communities are groups of people that make up a particular area or region. Neighbourhoods is a similar concept, but refers to the physical places in which people live. Our communities depend significantly upon the quality of our neighbourhoods.

When they are designed well, neighbourhoods contribute positively to our economy, our natural environment and the way in which we live and enjoy our surroundings.

The planning scheme is the document that guides what our new neighbourhoods and developments look and feel like. By improving our planning scheme to build better neighbourhoods, we provide the foundation to create better places for people to live, work and play.

                                                 

How can I get involved?

  • Contact Us!

    Council received community feedback on the current planning scheme as part of Stages 1 & 2 of the Planning Scheme Review Project.

    Stages 1 & 2 of the Planning Scheme Review Project have now finalised. You can view the Consultation Outcomes Report here.

    There will be many more opportunities for community input over the next 3-4 years as the key projects outlined in the Building Better Neighbourhoods roadmap are developed.

    In the meantime, we welcome your ongoing feedback and input in relation to the project. For example - anything that hasn't been identified by the Building Better Neighbourhoods roadmap that needs work.

    Please provide feedback/input via: planning.scheme@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

    Additionally we encourage you to follow the project by clicking the 'Follow Project' button above.

Key Documents

Planning Scheme Review Project

The State's Planning Act 2016 requires the review of planning schemes every 10 years and Local Government Infrastructure Plans (LGIPs) every 5 years.

The review of the planning scheme commenced in December 2019. In response to the review findings, Council has resolved to update the document to set the region's strategic plan for the next 20 years.

This will help protect what makes the Fraser Coast such an attractive destination for residents, businesses and visitors, and will harness opportunities for innovation.

In addition to the projects and amendments listed in the Building Better Neighbourhoods document, Council will also:

  • Review the vision and strategic framework
  • Review the region's settlement pattern
  • Review zones and overlays
  • Update mapping
  • Revise planning scheme requirements
  • Integrate the State Planning Policy and the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan
  • Integrate Council's strategic work

FAQs

The Building Better Neighbourhoods document identifies the projects and planning scheme amendments Council will be undertaking to future proof our region for the next 20 years to help protect what makes the Fraser Coast an attractive destination and harness the opportunities for innovation and improvements for residents, businesses and visitors. 

The Planning Scheme Review project ensures that our planning scheme is relevant and ensures that new development in the Fraser Coast achieves the vision and expectations of our community.

There is also a statutory requirement to review the planning scheme every 10 years.

Some of the benefits of the review include:

  • Ensuring planning requirements are as streamlined as possible;
  • Reducing the complexity of the planning scheme, and;
  • Identifying opportunities for economic growth, environmental protection or improving social outcomes.

Some of the benefits at the end of the process may include:

  • Streamlining planning requirements;
  • Reducing the complexity of the planning scheme, and;
  • Identifying opportunities for economic growth, protecting environmental values or improving social outcomes.

The Fraser Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (planning scheme) manages and regulates growth and development in our region. 

The planning scheme sets out requirements for new development, providing a “rule book” guiding types of development and core infrastructure.

Planning schemes take a long-term view to appropriately balance economic, environmental and social matters in the best interests of the community. 

You can access the planning scheme from Council’s website at: www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/fraser-coast-planning-scheme

Hard copies and PDF copies of the Fraser Coast Planning Scheme are available on USB or CD and can be purchase at the Hervey Bay and Maryborough Customer Service Centres.

The review will assess whether the planning scheme is meeting the economic, environmental and social needs of the region. 

It is also a legislative requirement under the Planning Act 2016, which requires a full review of planning schemes every 10 years. 

You can stay up-to-date with the project by registering your interest on Council’s Engagement Hub (Planning Scheme Review project page).

There will be additional bodies of work undertaken for Stage 3 of the project, which may include community consultation opportunities for these projects (depending on the nature of the project).

Additionally, formal public consultation will be undertaken as part of a future stage 4 of the project.

The last time Council undertook a Planning Scheme Review was to create the current planning scheme, which was adopted in 2014. Since this time, it has been updated ten times to deal with various targeted policy changes and community needs. This project will review planning scheme in its entirety.

Yes, as it is a statutory requirement to review the planning scheme every 10 years. Toowoomba Regional Council, Ipswich City Council and Tablelands Regional Council have recently completed, or are in the process of reviewing their planning schemes.

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