Table 7. MidCoast LSPS Planning Priorities relevant to the Rural Strategy

MidCoast Council completed its Local Strategic Planning Statement in September 2020.26 It identifies ten planning priorities, along with short, medium, long term, and ongoing actions to monitor and report on the progress of implementation and is closely aligned with the vision and key values set out in the MidCoast Community Strategic Plan 2030 and the Hunter Regional Plan 2036.

Table 7. MidCoast LSPS Planning Priorities relevant to the Rural Strategy27

Planning Priority 1 (P1): One Council, one plan

1.1 Provide consistent and renewed planning controls that reflect the diversity and character of the MidCoast through the establishment of the MidCoast LEP

1.2 Renew development standards and provide a consistent approach to development through the establishment of the MidCoast DCP

Planning Priority 2 (P2): Foster planning partnerships

2.1 Continue to undertake Community Conversations and work with Reference Groups to identify strategic issues and develop actions 2.2 Implement the MidCoast Community Engagement Strategy 2019-2022 and monitor improvements through the Community Satisfaction Survey

Planning Priority 3 (P3): Deliver housing supply, choice and diversity

3.1 Finalise and implement the Housing Strategy to provide a consistent and renewed approach to housing that caters for our diverse housing needs and character in the MidCoast and enables the growth of our towns and villages

Planning Priority 4 (P4): Place making in our towns and villages

4.1 Identify and enhance the character of our towns and villages through the implementation of the Community Plan program across the MidCoast

Planning Priority 5 (P5): Connect people and places

5.1 Pursue opportunities through NSW Government partnerships for improved public transport and active transport Short term

Short term

Ongoing

Ongoing

Short term

Ongoing

Ongoing

26 Local-Strategic-Planning-Statement (1).pdf 27 https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/document-resources/council/plans-amp-publications/local-strategicplanning-statement.pdf

5.4 Develop partnerships and opportunities with our Aboriginal community through the development of the Aboriginal Action Plan Short term

Planning Priority 6 (P6): Protect and improve our environment

6.2 Work with the NSW Government, neighbouring Councils, landowners and community groups to improve environmental, water quality and biodiversity outcomes for the MidCoast 6.4 Work with the NSW Government and other Councils to develop the Hunter Blue Green Grid Project

Planning Priority 7 (P7): Improve our resilience

7.1 Work with the NSW Government to establish improved bushfire preparedness and flood planning practices 7.7 Work with the NSW Government to help build on the community’s resilience and recovery capacity to natural disasters and climate change.

Planning Priority 8 (P8): Managing our land and water assets

8.1 Identify and protect the rural and environmental values of the MidCoast and explore opportunities to support and grow our rural sector through the Rural Strategy 8.2 Work with the NSW Government to develop and implement the Important Agricultural Land mapping Ongoing

Short term

Short term

Ongoing

Short term

Short term

Planning Priority 9 (P9): Improving our infrastructure and becoming a location of choice

9.1 Enable sustainable economic growth through the implementation of the MidCoast Regional Economic Development Strategy Ongoing 9.4 Pursue opportunities with the NSW Government for improved freight and tourism routes being The Lakes Way, The Bucketts Way and Thunderbolts Way Ongoing 9.8 Work with the NSW Government to undertake road safety improvements and provide safe walking and cycling connections. Ongoing 9.9 Work with the NSW Government to protect the freight network from encroachment by sensitive land uses. Ongoing

Planning Priority 10 (P10): Leveraging our lifestyle and amenity

10.1 Encourage and grow tourism through the implementation of the Destination Management Plan Ongoing 10.3 Investigate opportunities to facilitate land uses that can support and enhance the tourist and visitor economy Short term

Completion of the Rural Strategy and implementation of the Local Plan Recommendations from the Strategy are, therefore, a key priority of Council in developing and implementing the first MidCoast Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan.

Beyond that, the increased collaboration with our partners and key stakeholders in realising our Strategic Recommendations will allow continual improvement of this inaugural land use planning framework within the MidCoast.

8.3 MidCoast Destination Management Plan

The NSW Statewide Destination Management Plan (DMP) is developed and coordinated by Destination NSW. There are also six regional Destination Networks across NSW that develop and coordinate the regional DMPs and the MidCoast local government area currently sits within the Destination North Coast NSW Network, in contrast to the land use planning ‘network’ which identifies the MidCoast within the Hunter.

Despite this locational challenge, the Statewide DMP does identify ‘hero’ destinations within the MidCoast that can be reinforced by relevant local land use planning initiatives.

Tourism and visitation are critical aspects of rural land use planning and the MidCoast Destination Management Plan provides a framework to guide sustainable tourism development over the next 15 to 20 years.

The Plan promotes new markets: active families; women’s adventure, health and wellbeing; younger adults seeking adventure and experiences; and the ‘grey nomads’ seeking outdoor recreation. In doing so, several strategic themes for ‘experience’ tourism were developed, all of which highlight the diversity of opportunities available across the rural landscape: 1. Nature’s Bounty: Produce, food and drink; and High quality, accessible and more personalised experiences 2. Natural Adventure: Healthy outdoor living; and Quality recreational opportunities 3. Contemporary Coast: Revitalising our places; Exciting coastal experiences; and

Artisans and craft-people 4. Vibrant Country Life: Revitalising our places; Genuine country experiences; and

Artisans and craft-people 5. Celebrating Culture on Country: Immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences; and

Artisans and craft-people28

Fourteen signature experiences were identified as ‘game changer projects’ within the five themes and of these, two-thirds may be reliant on the delivery of new development projects outside towns and villages.

The Manning Valley Soils to Sea Produce Precinct project for example, recognises the range of quality produce throughout the region and the opportunity to create the ultimate produce hub within the MidCoast. The Precinct would showcase and profile the region’s produce; strengthens collaboration between the visitor economy and the agricultural sector; and provides a base for promoting and growing agri-business, agri-tourism and agri-education.

The DMP also examined the broad strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges facing the tourism industry within the MidCoast, with the following specifically relevant to the rural landscape and land use planning:

28 MIDCOAST-DESTINATION-MANAGEMENT-PLAN (11).pdf