New Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe MP, this week announced a 1 month extension to submissions on the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031.
Submissions are now due on 1 May.
“Some Councils and interest groups have asked for an extension, I’m keen to make sure everyone gets the chance to have their say,” said Mr Hinchliffe.
“This is a plan to protect the things that make South East Queensland such a great place to live for future generations, like our wonderful outdoors environment.
“It places more than 84 per cent of the region off limits to urban development.
“I encourage everyone to have a look at the draft so they can provide any feedback.
“It’s a plan for smart growth, to manage our expanding population and tackle the issues of today like housing affordability, congestion and climate change.
“I’m proud to say we’ve managed to avoid any significant changes to our existing urban footprint, which provides a clear boundary to stop sprawl and protect our natural environment, whilst providing enough land for predicted population growth.
“The focus of the growth will remain the Western Corridor, where the population will expand twice as fast as Brisbane and the coastal areas each year on average.”
Mr Hinchliffe said although submissions usually covered several issues, key themes had already emerged.
“By Monday morning my department had received more than 1000 submissions from individuals, commercial and community organisations, local governments and state agencies,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“The natural environment is featuring strongly so far with feedback around koala issues, biodiversity, air, noise and coastal management.
“The department is already processing submissions and I have asked them to work closely with key stakeholders over coming weeks so we can finalise the plan by mid-year.”
KEY DRAFT COMPONENTS
- more than 84 per cent of the region’s 22, 890 sq km is excluded from urban development
- strict controls remain in place for housing outside urban footprint
- undeveloped areas, infill areas and rural residential lots are expected to cater for 735,500 more houses and units
- protects natural landscape and rural production areas from housing and rural subdivision
- promotes more growth in the Western Corridor to take pressure off coastal communities
- locates new communities and jobs along public transport corridors in an attempt to limit car use
- consolidates rural growth to keep green breaks between cities and communities
- ecofriendly tourism development allowed outside the urban footprint will be increased to include “medium-scale” projects, but not on ecologically significant or good quality agricultural lands
- new sustainable housing designs and new building standards
The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan can be viewed at: www.dip.qld.gov.au or at Council chambers.
The Property Council will continue to work on its detailed submission to the State Government.
For more information, contact Nicole Bisson, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, on (07) 3225 3000 or nbisson@propertyoz.com.au
