Lockyer Valley’s Draft Planning Scheme Closer to Reality

Lockyer Valley’s proposed Planning Scheme is now one step closer to reality after Council endorsed the draft Scheme to go to community consultation.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said she was excited to announce Council’s endorsement to proceed to public consultation of the draft Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme.

“The draft Scheme feels like it has been a long time in the making, following numerous reviews and updates and now a major milestone has been achieved.

“Council will soon ask the community to review the Scheme to ensure that, in their view, it adequately provides for growth and protects the liveability, prosperity and community safety in the Lockyer Valley,” Mayor Milligan said.

Lockyer Valley Planning Portfolio Councillor, Rick Vela said having the draft Scheme ready for community consultation was a major leap forward from the three current Schemes (Gatton 2007, Laidley 2003 and Grantham Reconstruction Area 2011).

“This Scheme is sure to serve the community well into the future.

“The current Schemes are not only outdated but do not reflect the changes that have occurred to the Queensland Planning System over time, including the Planning Act in 2016 and ShapingSEQ Regional Plan in 2017.

“The draft Planning Scheme has undergone a rigorous checking process to ensure the State Planning Policy and state interests have been considered and reflected in the new Scheme.

“Submission of the draft Planning Scheme to the State Government for state interest check was endorsed by Council at a special meeting in November 2022, and following recent advice the State has approved the draft Scheme for consultation, so we’re keen to hear community feedback,” he said.

The draft Planning Scheme will be made available in hard copy at the Gatton Customer Service Centre, both the Gatton and Laidley Libraries and online, with consultation supported by several activities including drop-in locations, one-on-one sessions with a planner, pop up locations and focus group sessions.

The Scheme’s public consultation is supported by a suite of collateral, including information sheets about the Planning Scheme, the proposed zones and overlays.

“I encourage all residents and businesses to take an interest in this consultation as it will affect the future of our region and remind everyone to keep an eye out for details of when consultation opens in the near future,” Cr Vela said.