Council & Business
19 January, 2023
Council consider “critical” changes to planning scheme
The Central Goldfields Shire Council has deferred decisions on “critical” changes to its planning scheme, set to open up residential development potential and growth in the shire, with concerns the changes could take years to implement if not...
The Central Goldfields Shire Council has deferred decisions on “critical” changes to its planning scheme, set to open up residential development potential and growth in the shire, with concerns the changes could take years to implement if not done correctly.
During the December ordinary council meeting, a motion was introduced for council to make changes to Planning Scheme Amendment C34cgol (Omnibus) and resolve on the next step in the amendment process.
According to the report tabled at the meeting, council is required to review its planning scheme every four years, with the C34cgol amendment authorised in October 2020.
The amendment, according to the report, was drafted by council officers and went through several stages of review by the regional office of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning prior to authorisation for public exhibition being granted.
Amendment C34cgol proposes to introduce new or revised local content into the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework and schedules to zones, overlays, general provisions and operational provisions to implement the Central Goldfields Planning Scheme Review 2020, the Population, Housing and Residential Strategy 2020, the Economic
Development Strategy 2020 and recommendations from other adopted strategies of council and state agencies.
Introducing the motion that council make changes to the amendment and request the Minister for Planning appoint an independent panel to consider unresolved issues, Cr Chris
Meddows-Taylor said the amendments to the planning scheme would help create a “brilliant future” for the shire.
“At first appearance this might seem like a lot of technical information that seems very boring but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.
“This is about a brilliant future for our shire, it’s about growth and opportunity and achieving our vision and addressing our council plans and the aspirations in it.
“The common backbone behind all of that is one document and that is the planning scheme.
“This process began while council was under administration to consolidate a whole range of amendments and changes that are actually needed to the planning scheme to achieve the objectives we need to secure for our future.”
The amendment was on public exhibition for a six week period, with six submissions received from referral agencies and one submission from a land owner.
Council officers also responded to four phone queries on the amendment during the exhibition period, according to the report.
Speaking after the initial motion, Cr Geoff Lovett introduced an amended motion that would defer a decision on the matter to the March 28 ordinary meeting.
He said the amendment was complex and believed councillors needed to be sure they understood all the matters involved before making changes to the planning scheme.
“The proposed planning scheme amendment, which we’re calling an omnibus bill, is both incredibly detailed and complex,” Cr Lovett said.
“I have read it several times and to be perfectly honest, I have trouble getting my head around all the issues and potential ramifications.
“Right here, right now, I have more questions than I have answers and if it goes to a vote tonight I would most likely vote no.
“This planning scheme amendment will affect council’s residential housing decisions for years to come and will see a fundamental shift in the focus for council’s decision making.
“My concern is this planning amendment will take years to become law and that is why we must get it right.”
All councillors moved in favour of deferring the matter to the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, March 28.