Moreton Bay new draft planning scheme approved for public consultation

Moreton Bay Region residents are being encouraged to find out more about the future of their region with the upcoming release of Moreton Bay Regional Council’s new draft planning scheme.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Jackie Trad announced the state government has approved council’s new draft planning scheme to proceed to the public notification stage subject to state planning conditions. 

“One of my first acts as Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning was to meet with Moreton Bay Regional Council to see how we could get the region’s new draft planning scheme back on track,” Ms Trad said.

“The Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning have been working closely with council since that time to review mapping and planning provisions within the new draft scheme.”

Ms Trad said one of the biggest stumbling blocks to council releasing its new draft scheme for more public feedback had been the need to reverse former Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney’s Ministerial Direction to the council.

“For the first time in this state’s history a council was forced by the former LNP Government to remove climate change provisions for sea level rise from its planning scheme” Ms Trad said.

“Jeff Seeney’s Ministerial Direction was totally out of step with the state requirements of all other coastal councils in Queensland. My reversal of the former government’s legally binding direction has allowed council to now update its mapping and approach to respond to community feedback.”

Mayor Sutherland welcomed the announcement by the Palaszczuk Government and said it was an important step in getting the balance right in the new draft planning scheme.

“Our region has been eager to see necessary changes made to the draft planning scheme along with a response from council about how we have considered community feedback” Mayor Sutherland said.

“Population in our region is forecast to grow by more than 40 per cent in the next 20 years. Our council must work closely with our community to plan and guide that growth and development while protecting what we love about our great region.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s draft planning scheme will be released for public consultation from 1 July 2015.

Mayor Sutherland said the public notification period would start in early July and run for several weeks through to Friday 21 August 2015.

“Council will be writing to all residents and ratepayers at the start of the consultation period to advise the new draft planning scheme is out on display” Mayor Sutherland said.

“To make it easier to understand how the new draft scheme affects your property, council has developed the “My Property Look Up” feature on council’s website.

“This tool displays information that relates to your property, as well as providing links to information sheets and online videos on key issues.

“I encourage all Moreton Bay residents and ratepayers to find out how the new draft scheme will shape the future of our region.”

Mayor Sutherland said residents could also visit council administration centres to speak to a planning officer or call council’s dedicated planning scheme hotline.

“It doesn’t suit everyone to do business online so we will have our planners based at dedicated information kiosks at council administration centres for the entire consultation period.  In addition, a dedicated hotline that people can call to understand more about the scheme.”

To stay up to date with the public consultation program when it is launched in July, visit council’s website www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au and register your interest in receiving email updates.

Once the new draft scheme is released for community consultation, council will respond to each submitter who took the time to provide their feedback on the initial draft scheme. These responses will outline the matters raised in each submission as well as how council has considered these matters in the preparation of the region’s new draft planning scheme. 

Deputy Premier’s Office:         0475 950 772

Mayor Sutherland’s Office:     0407 392 827