What is a Community Plan

Community planning is a way to capture possibilities, and a way to capture a vibrant and exciting picture of the future for this region. The Plan is designed to investigate and respond to the needs and aspirations of our people. The Community Plan represents the community’s views, visions and values for the future of our local government area.

What is a Community Plan?

A Community Plan is a key planning document that looks at medium and long range community needs and aspirations.  It sits above and informs all other Council planning processes, including corporate planning, strategic land use planning, planning scheme development and priority infrastructure planning.

The Local Government Act 2009 requires Council to create a Community Plan, to capture the community's vision and strategic direction for the long term future of the region.

The Community Plan looks at all areas of our community and region, from the economy and environment to public safety and recreation. It outlines the strengths of our region and some of the challenges that will be encountered over the 20-year life of the Plan.

The Community Plan will help to guide Council decision-making to ensure we grow our region in line with community expectations.

How was the Community Plan developed?

Through a series of workshops, interactive stalls, surveys, postcards and information sessions since June 2010, we asked you to tell us your priorities, aspirations and future visions for the region. 

This feedback helped to inform the creation of the draft Community Plan, which was open for public comment from March to May 2011 and for an additional 2 week period in September-October 2011.

During the submission periods, people were asked to submit comments on the draft ‘Imagine Tomorrow – Your Community Plan’.  Submissions and responses were analysed, validated, and are reflected in the final Plan.

What will the Community Plan mean for me?

You have told us what makes this region special for you. 

You want the essence to remain the same in 20 years time, recognising the region will continue to grow and flourish.  This Community Plan is one way to ensure the most loved features are part of the region’s future direction and are present in every decision.