Adopted planning statement sets clear vision

A clear vision for land use planning in the Armidale Region over the next 20 years will be provided by a Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) adopted last week.

The strategy identifies immediate, short-term and long-term planning actions to meet community needs and protect the region’s characteristics. Actions are tailored to the region’s economic, social and environmental characteristics and in line with community input.

Council’s October Ordinary Meeting adopted the finalised LSPS after noting the public feedback received while the strategy was on public exhibition in August and September.

Feedback included responses to a survey inviting community members to rank priorities identified for the strategy.

The community’s ranking of priorities was topped by:

  • protection of areas with high environmental and biodiversity values
  • protection of important agricultural land
  • facilitating the provision facilities promoting arts and culture
  • facilitating the development of commercial and industrial land

“Many community members provided valuable input to the strategy, with Council conducting several information sessions in the major centres and villages, as well as online forums,” Council’s Interim Administrator, Viv May, said.

“That input was essential to ensure the strategy’s planning objectives and actions mirror the community’s current and projected needs and aspirations.

The finalised LSPS will be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for publishing on the NSW Planning Portal.

A further report will be provided to a future meeting to identify how the strategy’s actions will be funded and delivered.

The LSPS was informed by another planning strategy, the ARMIDALE PLAN 2040, developed by Council by consultants in 2019.

With the LSPS finalised and published, last week’s Council meeting also resolved to put the draft ARMIDALE PLAN 2040 on public exhibition.

“Priority had to be given to developing the LSPS, in line with legislative requirements and timeframes,” Mr May said.

“However, the draft ARMIDALE PLAN 2040 includes valuable visions for the region and was developed with considerable community engagement. It’s therefore appropriate the draft masterplan now goes back to the community for its input.”

The draft ARMIDALE PLAN 2040 is on exhibition until 14 December.

/Public Release. View in full here.