Following community consultation, the Finocchiaro CLP Government Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne has approved an amendment to the NT Planning Scheme to include the Lloyd Creek Rural Village Area Plan, which provides a framework to guide future development.
This Area Plan sets the vision for the project, with proponents now able to refine and develop their detailed plans for regulatory assessment.
Mr Burgoyne said this marks the first step of many on the journey for the 2,614-hectare proposal by developer Intrapac Property.
"When we came into government, we said we would work with developers to enable growth in the Territory - this latest step shows we are serious about delivering on that promise," said Mr Burgoyne.
"This project reflects our commitment to rebuilding the Territory economy, with the capacity to generate around $3.55 billion over 30 years, providing jobs for locals during construction and into the future.
"We're making it clear: The Northern Territory is open for business."
The Area Plan for the rural residential community proposes approximately 4,200 new lots of various sizes, equating to a population of around 11,000 people, with around 500 acres dedicated to conservation to preserve the area's significant environmental values.
Mr Burgoyne said the Area Plan outlines the need for an Environmental Management Framework and Infrastructure Servicing Strategy to ensure environmental and infrastructure concerns, including those relating to water, sewerage and appropriate buffer zones, are resolved before the development can proceed.
"We have listened to and heard the voices and concerns of residents regarding this development, and we will continue to listen throughout the development application process," he said.
"We understand how much people love living in the rural area and we are committed to preserving that way of life.
"The Area Plan promotes a coordinated approach to infrastructure delivery and environmental protection, ensuring growth is balanced with the preservation of rural character, environmental values, and community expectations."
The community will have additional opportunities to provide feedback before the high-level development concepts in the Area Plan can proceed.
