MidCoast Council now has a single local planning strategy as a guide for growth areas and redevelopment in the MidCoast region, following the adoption of the MidCoast Urban Growth Areas Report.
The MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report is now with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DIPE) for endorsement.
"The adoption of the MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report is a positive outcome for Council, as it will ensure we are prepared for future urban development in our region," Paul De Szell, Council's Director of Liveable Communities, said.
"By having a single local planning strategy that clearly identifies land in the MidCoast earmarked for future housing and business growth, it will assist in guiding Council, the community and developers in the same direction to ensure we are focusing and prioritising the right locations for urban expansion."
The MidCoast Urban Release Areas Report provides certainty around the expansion of settlements in the region, by identifying land that can be rezoned for residential or employment zones to meet the demand for additional housing and business or industrial growth.
The report does not include land that has not been previously identified.
Historically, there have been multiple reports and strategies addressing growth areas and redevelopment in the MidCoast region, but they have either been superseded or combined with other former Council or NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment strategies.
The draft Settlement Expansion and Redevelopment Opportunities Analysis Report, the basis for the adopted Urban Release Areas Report, was on exhibition for community feedback before being considered by the elected Council late in July.
The feedback prompted the elected Council to make a change to the report to include 'Bert's Farm' in Forster as an urban growth area.
Inclusion in the report does not result in a rezoning of the land or provide any approval for development. The formal process to rezone land remains in place for landowners identified in the report and the community has an opportunity through that process to express its view on any proposed developments, Mr De Szell said.
