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Building Better Neighbourhoods

Current Projects

  • Regional Ecosystem Vegetation Mapping Project

    Regional Ecosystem Vegetation Mapping Project

    As part of the Building Better Neighbourhoods - Protect and enhance our unique natural environment theme, Council engaged a consultant to undertake field surveys for a vegetation mapping project for parts of our region. The work being undertaken will refine the State's current Regional Ecosystem vegetation mapping. You can view the State's current mapping here.

    The consultants undertook vegetation field surveys across parts of Burrum Heads, Toogoom, Dundowran, Kawungan, Nikenbah, St Helens and Tinana throughout May and June 2021. The mapping for the project has now been finalised and the outputs have been sent to the Queensland Herbarium for consideration in updating the State mapping. The outputs from the project will be used to inform the Matters of Local Environmental Significance (MLES) project.

    The report from the Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project is now available to download. Refer to "attachments" below.

    Category : Our unique environment is protected and enhanced
    Attached Document : 1670800605_Regional Ecosystem Mapping Project Report.pdf
    Created On :  13 May 2021

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.

More Information