Have your say on draft State Planning Policy

Local governments, industry and the community are invited to have their say on the draft State Planning Policy (SPP), the latest initiative in the Newman Government’s planning and development reform agenda.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said feedback received during the public consultation phase, beginning Monday, would be used to finalise the SPP before its release later this year.

“The Newman Government wants to ensure we have in place a robust and comprehensive planning policy that will replace all existing SPPs with a single policy that fully represents the state’s interests in planning and development matters,” Mr Seeney said.

“We’ve already carried out targeted consultation with various councils, government agencies, and key industry and interest groups in relation to state interests and now we are seeking feedback from the wider community on the draft policy.

“The new SPP will provide greater clarity for local government, as it will set out in one document the state interests and policies that councils must take into account when preparing or amending local planning schemes or, in some cases, assessing development applications.

“This will make it easier for them to reflect and balance state interests up front in local planning schemes, ensuring the approval of the right development in the right location without undue delays.”

Mr Seeney said the SPP would encourage new flexible and locally appropriate approaches to planning and empower and support councils to make the best planning decisions for their communities.

He said the draft policy also set out the matters that must be considered by a Minister before designating land for community infrastructure and in preparing and amending regional plans.

“This policy is another important step in our ongoing reform of the planning system,” Mr Seeney said.

“With the introduction of a State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) in June and the roll-out of new regional plans later in the year, we will deliver better planning outcomes for Queensland communities, and will enable industry to respond quickly to new opportunities.”

State interests are matters the Queensland Government has an involvement in to meet economic or environmental objectives, or to ensure Queensland’s planning system operates efficiently and effectively.

The draft SPP groups 18 state interests under five categories: 

• Housing and liveable communities
• Economic growth
• Environment and heritage
• Hazards and safety
• Transport and infrastructure.

An Interactive Mapping System is being developed, which will be available with the final SPP, and tools and guidance material will assist implementation.

Submissions on the draft State Planning Policy can be made from Monday 15 April until Wednesday 12 June.

The document can be viewed at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS] 12 April 2013

Media Contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516