Land Use Planning

1. Overview

Strategic land use planning is the process of planning for the future development of the Snowy Monaro.  

Council identifies and assesses future land uses to meet growth and demand for housing, jobs and services.

We need to balance competing needs for expansion of urban land and services:

  • protecting the environment
  • considering recreational and community needs
  • promoting sustainable business and employment.

Strategic land use planning operates within a wider state and regional planning framework.

Local planning is informed by and must be consistent with the state planning objectives.

2. Local Strategic Planning Statement 2020

Council’s first Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS)(PDF, 9MB) was adopted on 21 May 2020. It sets out our 20-year vision for land use in the Snowy Monaro.

The LSPS is designed to act as an overarching strategic planning document that will link the South East and Tablelands Regional Plan to local planning documents such as the Local Planning Strategies, Local Environmental Plans and Development Controls Plans. This is an opportunity to set a vision and direction for the next 20 years. This will also be an opportunity for Council and the community to identify priorities for the region. This vision and priorities will feedback to the NSW Government to inform their decision-making processes for the region.

The Local Strategic Planning Statement identifies a vision for the next 20 year and 12 core planning priorities for the region to achieve the vision. 

3. Future Planning

Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP)

The Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct is a partnership between the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE) and the Department of Regional NSW to develop a 40-year master plan for the Snowy Mountains Precinct. Snowy Monaro Regional Council, along with the community are a significant stakeholder in the development of this plan. 

The purpose of the master plan is to expand the precinct from a one season visitor economy to a year-round destination, that will increase investment and jobs in the area.

It also aims to leverage the region’s natural beauty and unique climate to improve tourism opportunities, as well as the infrastructure and services needed to meet the growing needs of permanent residents, seasonal workers and temporary visitors.

On 1 July 2022, the Master Plan was finalised, outlining a 40-year strategic plan for the Precinct.

Further information, including the relevant instruments, technical studies, factsheets and the Masterplan itself can be found on the NSW Planning Portal. 

4. Plans & Strategies

Draft Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lands Strategy

The draft Strategy outlines the location and type of future housing and employment growth for Snowy Monaro until 2045, ensuring there is an available supply of suitably zoned land to accommodate Snowy Monaro’s projected growth. It will inform decision-making by Council, federal and state government service providers, the community, and developers, and inform the preparation, assessment and determination of Planning Proposals. 

Council's role in housing and employment is to ensure availability of suitably zoned land for housing and employment. Investment in the infrastructure to enable housing and employment is a key role for Council. 

There are six guiding principles that have been developed within the draft Strategy: 

A. Growth and infrastructure/services are aligned to promote liveable, walkable communities, make efficient use of existing/planned infrastructure/services and minimise environmental impact.

B. Settlement roles: development and growth will be focused towards strategic and local centres.

C. Available supply of suitably zoned land for housing and employment.

D. Diverse: encourage diverse housing sizes and types to meet the needs of people of all ages and lifestyles, and improve affordability.

E. The unique character of settlements is maintained and enhanced.

F. Resilient: not only must new housing be resilient to natural hazard risks, but responses to disasters and housing stress are planned for proactively.

The draft Strategy looks at each town and village in the region and responds to the housing and employment results for each town and village, aligning with Council's available resources. The Action Plan categorises the recommended actions into three categories:

  1. Provide: funded and delivered via Council's Operational Plan and Delivery Program
  2. Advocate: includes advocating for government services in the region
  3. Unfunded Actions: unfunded planning proposals for land that has been identified as a 'planning intervention' within the Settlements chapter, that is aimed at increasing the supply of residential, commercial or industrial land.

The draft Strategy was recently placed on public exhibition, with over 100 community submissions received. Council officers are currently assessing issues raised in submissions. 

Background Report - SMRC Draft Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lands Strategy 2025 - 2045(PDF, 5MB)

SMRC Draft Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lands Strategy 2025 - 2045 for exhibition(PDF, 14MB)

For further information on the draft Residential, Commercial and Industrial Lands Strategy, please contact Council's Strategic Planning team on 1300 345 345.

 

Floodplain Risk Management Plans and Studies

All Floodplain Risk Management Plans and Studies can be found in Floodplain Management

Michelago Master Plan

Snowy Monaro Regional Council adopted the final version of the Michelago Master Plan at its ordinary meeting on Thursday 21 October 2021. This is the culmination of several rounds of community consultation across 2020 and 2021, creating a shared vision for the future of Michelago and influencing land use planning outcomes.

A copy of the final adopted Michelago Masterplan can be viewed via the link below.

Final Michelago Mater Plan(PDF, 5MB)

Appendix A – Final Consultation Outcomes Report(PDF, 527KB)

 

 

  

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