Council is committed to preserving the region’s natural assets and prime agricultural land while encouraging future growth opportunities and innovation that enhance the Scenic Rim’s relaxed living and rural lifestyle.
Progress in 2018-19 on the Draft Scenic Rim Planning Scheme - the region’s first ever unified planning scheme - represented an important milestone in the 10-year journey following the establishment of Scenic Rim Regional Council in 2008. The new planning scheme has been developed in the context of the State Government’s Planning Act 2016, the Shaping SEQ South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 and the State Planning Policy and will replace the existing planning schemes of the former Beaudesert Shire, Boonah Shire and Ipswich City Council areas within the Scenic Rim local government area. Guided by the Scenic Rim Community Plan, it will underpin development aligned with the community’s shared vision for our region for the next 20 years and aims to provide certainty to Scenic Rim residents, landowners and investors by identifying land use intent for particular areas. It will also inform Council’s plans for infrastructure to support growth and balance the social and economic development of the region to protect and enhance our region’s lifestyle and the natural assets valued by the community. Following minor changes to address the requirements of the State interest review in July 2018, Council endorsed the draft Planning Scheme for public consultation in August. An 11-week period of public consultation, which exceeded the minimum statutory requirement, was carried out between 26 September and 14 December 2018 to ensure the community had ample opportunity to contribute to the development of the draft Planning Scheme in an open and transparent process. Opportunities for community feedback were promoted through advertising in print and social media, displays at Council administration centres and libraries and the distribution of a brochure to all ratepayers in the region seeking their input into the planning process. ‘Talk to a Planner’ and community information sessions were conducted at key locations across the region during office hours as well as after hours and on weekends to encourage as many people as possible to have their say in shaping the future of the region. The community response to the draft Planning Scheme was significant, with Council receiving a total of 559 submissions. Council appreciates the time and effort of community members who contributed to the consultation process through properly made submissions which have provided valuable feedback for Council in finalising the strategic land use planning intent for the Scenic Rim. While a wide range of issues was raised in submissions, common themes related to the natural environment, rural and residential lot sizes, land uses in rural areas, population growth, tourism and infrastructure planning.
SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT
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