Draft Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme endorsed for Minister’s approval

In a major milestone for the region, Lockyer Valley Regional Council has officially endorsed its Draft Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme.

Council endorsed the long-awaited Draft Scheme at the 20 December Ordinary Meeting, paving the way for it to be submitted to the Planning Minister for approval to adopt.

Following a comprehensive public consultation period, and consideration of more than 300 submissions, the Draft Scheme was revised in response to community feedback.

Lockyer Valley Planning Portfolio Councillor Rick Vela said Council had listened to community concerns, particularly issues around the flood hazard overlay and use of the Limited development zone.

“As a result, Council had decided to progress the Draft Planning Scheme without the flood hazard overlay at this time,” he said.

“When Council went out to notification, it was stated widely and publicly that we were genuine about receiving and considering feedback and changing our Draft Scheme if needed.

“We likened this process to putting a final draft to our editor to scrutinise and provide honest feedback. In this case, the community was our editor and they have provided their thoughts.”

Cr Vela thanked residents and businesses for engaging in this important process.

“We’re extremely grateful to the community for their feedback during Council’s extensive 10-week consultation program,” he said.

“Of the 315 submissions we received, more than a third (111) raised matters regarding the flood mapping methodology, subsequent potential impact on new development and the proposed back-zoning for areas of extreme flood risk.

“The community has asked Council to reconsider its policy position and Council has agreed.”

While many other changes have been made in response to submissions, these are considered minor in nature and not a substantial policy change. Therefore, Council has endorsed the balance of the Draft Scheme to be forwarded to the Planning Minister to seek approval for Council to adopt the Draft Scheme.

“The need to have a consolidated and consistent scheme across the whole of the Lockyer Valley remains, and therefore Council is progressing with the balance of the scheme without the flood hazard component,” Cr Vela said.

“Submissions relating to the flood hazard overlay and zoning of land in the Limited development zone due to extreme flood risk have been considered, and Council is committed to undertaking further work on the flood hazard overlay to address the valid concerns raised.

“Council will come back to the community with a revised flood hazard overlay that considers the feedback received during recent consultation.

“The community will again have the opportunity to review the revised flood hazard overlay maps, the code and zones and make submissions in the first half of 2024.”

While further work on the flood hazard overlay is undertaken in the coming months, development within flood risk areas will continue to be regulated through Council’s Temporary Local Planning Instrument, which has been in place since 2012.

“Planning is all about balance and it’s important we progress the positive components of the new Draft Scheme while we rightly respond to the community and reconsider those components where further work is needed,” Cr Vela said.

“Importantly, all submitters will be provided with a response outlining how their submission has been dealt with along with information on Council’s next steps.”

The full list of areas Council has committed to reviewing can be found at www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/draft-planning-scheme.