MEDIA RELEASE
7 January 2011
Region to benefit from consistent land use strategy For the first time, a Regional Land Use Planning Framework incorporating a land use strategy has been drafted for all nine municipalities of the Cradle Coast region. The draft strategy has been developed as part of statewide reforms to simplify Tasmania’s planning schemes and takes into consideration the many and varied natural, cultural and community assets that make the region unique. The draft strategy is not a planning scheme but a framework to allow Local Government to chart the course for the next 20 years and beyond and make well informed and consistent decisions across the region. The document has been developed in partnership with the region’s nine councils, the State government and the Cradle Coast Authority. Under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, the document is a pre‐requisite to Councils updating their planning schemes and, once approved, will provide a common reference. The draft strategy was released for public comment on 22 December with copies made available from the Cradle Coast Authority website and council offices and websites. Feedback and comments are due by 28 February 2011. Chairman of the Regional Planning Initiative and Mayor of King Island, Charles Arnold, has overseen the drafting of the regional strategy and is pleased to have reached the current milestone. “It’s been very time consuming and labour intensive to efficiently consolidate all of the existing strategies and reference documents into a single resource, but the planners from each council have worked collaboratively under the guidance of project manager, Patrick Earle, to get the job done,” Mr Arnold said. “There’s broad agreement on the social, environmental and economic policy issues as they relate to land use and it’s timely to get public input before it goes to the Minister for Planning, Bryan Green.” Community input to the Regional Land Use Planning Framework is welcomed. Copies of the draft document and feedback form can be downloaded from www.cradlecoast.com/noticeboard.html Copies are also available from Council offices. The period for comment is open until 5.00pm AEST Monday 28 February 2011.
End… Media Contacts for Interview / Assistance: Charles Arnold Chairman, Regional Planning Initiative Ph: 0428 533 551
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager, Cradle Coast Authority Ph: 6431 6285