Western Queensland Councils to benefit from planning innovation

Murweh Shire Council will soon have a new planning scheme and other small western shires will reap the benefits, thanks to an innovative partnership with the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad welcomed the cooperative approach which produced a planning scheme template following requests for assistance from the Murweh, Quilpie, Bulloo, Burke and Paroo councils.

“This planning template will save councils time and money. The five councils are all due to have new planning schemes in place this year, but have limited in house specialist planning capacity”” Ms Trad said.

“That’s why my Department worked with Murweh Shire Council on a pilot project to prepare a template that can be adapted and adopted by other councils to fit their local planning objectives.

“I’m pleased to have approved the Murweh planning scheme for adoption, delivering such a good outcome, one that can be shared by other councils.

“As well as providing a more efficient process, the scheme will enable Murweh to encourage economic development and job creation in line with community needs.”

Murweh’s planning scheme incorporates the latest version of the Queensland Planning Provisions and complies with the State Planning Policy.

Ms Trad said her Department had also helped Murweh with public consultation on the draft scheme from 14 September to 30 October 2015.

“Department officers helped the Council with face-to-face consultation and with public sessions in Morven, Augathella and Charleville where the community had the chance to meet planners, discuss the scheme and provide feedback,” Ms Trad said.

“As part of their planning scheme Council also included a number of my department’s interactive and award winning code animations to simplify the planning scheme codes for all users.”

“It’s been a wonderful team effort, and I look forward to the other councils using the template to prepare their planning schemes.”

The Government is currently in the process of using the template to assist Burke and Quilpie Shire Councils in drafting their planning schemes, and will soon begin working with Bulloo and Paroo Shire Councils.

For more information about planning schemes please visit the department’s website http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/planning/local-government-planning-schemes.html

View the animated planning scheme code interpretations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6uGYPLtYn0&feature=youtu.be.

Deputy Premier’s Office: 0488 996 667