Cr Terry Fleischfresser
July 29, 2016
More than eight years after the 2008 council amalgamations, the South Burnett is finally getting close to having a modern regional Planning Scheme.
A draft of the new Planning Scheme will be released at all Council libraries and on the SBRC’s website next Tuesday (August 2).
Residents will be able to lodge written submissions by post or email for a 12 week period until Monday, October 31.
The new scheme, once adopted, will simplify development approvals and ensure a region-wide approach to planning matters.
It will replace the four existing planning schemes – for the former Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai and Murgon Shires – that have remained in force while the new planning scheme was being prepared.
Apart from removing some conflicts between the four old schemes and plugging the “historical subdivision” loophole that allowed owners of historic subdivisions to build houses before proper infrastructure was in place, the new scheme will also make it easier for the Council to accommodate future changes to Queensland’s Planning Act.
Planning portfolio chair Cr Terry Fleischfresser said the Council had received Ministerial approval to proceed with public consultations on the draft Planning Scheme.
“The purpose of the public consultation is to create awareness with the general public that the proposed planning scheme is open for review, and for people to lodge written submissions on it.”
Cr Fleischfresser said a major advantage of the new planning scheme is that it should help make the region more open to development by standardising the approvals process for new developments and reducing red tape.
“Encouraging private and corporate developers means jobs for our young people and families,” Cr Fleischfresser said.
“Council cannot allow potential developers to walk out the door.”
