Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Bold start on new planning vision for Gold Coast
A new plan is underway to deliver the Gold Coast’s Bold Future vision.
Gold Coast City Council has commenced work on a detailed review of its Planning Scheme – the document which guides where and how the city evolves.
When complete, by mid to late 2012, the new scheme is expected to reflect community views and aspirations identified through the recent Bold Future project.
A program management plan to guide the review was outlined to Council’s Sustainable City Future Committee today (24/2). Public input will be invited as the review proceeds.
Committee Chairperson, Councillor Peter Young, said it was good news that work had begun on preparing a new pathway for future planning.
“A complete planning scheme review is possibly the most exhaustive process any local government can undertake,” Cr Young said.
“The current scheme is almost 2000 pages, in four volumes and has 1500 maps. The review will need to revisit the entire scheme and consider new population projections, demographic changes and the expectations of the latest South East Queensland Regional Plan. It will also include considerable public consultation and a lengthy State Government approval process.”
He said that given the enormity of the task, and to comply with State legislation, Council only undertook a complete planning scheme review every eight years.
“So it is a relatively rare opportunity to set fresh directions for the city, to meet new community expectations.
“The people of the Gold Coast, through Bold Future, and Councillors through the Visioning program undertaken in 2008, have identified strong elements and outcomes that will guide and influence the new planning scheme.
“This is our chance to produce a new blueprint for the city’s future, based on those visions.
“In fact a new planning scheme is Council’s single most effective tool for protecting the Gold Coast’s environment and our lifestyle and providing housing choice and job opportunities.
“It can also help us build safer, more accessible communities where we are close to all the services and facilities that improve our lives.”
Cr Young said the program management plan would go before the full Council for endorsement
Gold Coast City Council has commenced work on a detailed review of its Planning Scheme – the document which guides where and how the city evolves.
When complete, by mid to late 2012, the new scheme is expected to reflect community views and aspirations identified through the recent Bold Future project.
A program management plan to guide the review was outlined to Council’s Sustainable City Future Committee today (24/2). Public input will be invited as the review proceeds.
Committee Chairperson, Councillor Peter Young, said it was good news that work had begun on preparing a new pathway for future planning.
“A complete planning scheme review is possibly the most exhaustive process any local government can undertake,” Cr Young said.
“The current scheme is almost 2000 pages, in four volumes and has 1500 maps. The review will need to revisit the entire scheme and consider new population projections, demographic changes and the expectations of the latest South East Queensland Regional Plan. It will also include considerable public consultation and a lengthy State Government approval process.”
He said that given the enormity of the task, and to comply with State legislation, Council only undertook a complete planning scheme review every eight years.
“So it is a relatively rare opportunity to set fresh directions for the city, to meet new community expectations.
“The people of the Gold Coast, through Bold Future, and Councillors through the Visioning program undertaken in 2008, have identified strong elements and outcomes that will guide and influence the new planning scheme.
“This is our chance to produce a new blueprint for the city’s future, based on those visions.
“In fact a new planning scheme is Council’s single most effective tool for protecting the Gold Coast’s environment and our lifestyle and providing housing choice and job opportunities.
“It can also help us build safer, more accessible communities where we are close to all the services and facilities that improve our lives.”
Cr Young said the program management plan would go before the full Council for endorsement
