PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Progress update on the Local Growth Management Strategy

The new Pacific Motorway made it easier and safer to travel to the Clarence Valley, and an increasing number of people are choosing to visit or live in our beautiful region. In the next 20 years the Clarence is expected to grow from our current population of 54,000 towards 60,000 people in the next 20 years.

Council is focused on providing better services and infrastructure for locals, while also investing in future growth. The vision is for the Clarence to be a community of opportunity. Council is looking at ways to encourage more affordable homes, job opportunities, better main streets, and ways of value adding for our key drivers of growth - especially agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. This growth needs to be managed to protect the valley’s stunning natural environment and enviable relaxed lifestyle.

While planning was undertaken in 1999 through the Clarence Valley Settlement Strategy, new approaches and a focus on the future are now needed. Effectively planning for sustainable growth is reflected in the Community Strategic Plan The

LOCAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY COMPRISES FOUR KEY STRATEGIES:

Employment Lands Strategy

Adopted by Council in June 2022. Complete

Rural Lands Strategy

Adopted by Council in June 2022. Complete

Draft Green Infrastructure Strategy

Public Exhibition from 03 March to 21 April 2023. Underway

Local Growth Management

Strategy

Draft Housing Strategy Currently being developed. Underway

Informs and use planning, development applications, investment advocacy, and resource allocation over the next 20 years

Clarence 2032, the Delivery Program and in the Local Strategic Planning Statement (2020), which sets out actions to prepare a Local Growth Management Strategy.

Once completed, this strategy will inform decision making for land use planning, development applications, investment, advocacy, and resource allocation over the next 20 years.

The Green Infrastructure Strategy will assist Council to achieve environmentally sustainable development outcomes within our current and future urban areas and improve liveability by creating safer, greener and more connected communities. The draft is currently on exhibition until April 21. Scan the QR code to view the strategy and have your say.