SCHEME REVIEW

The Shire has embarked on a significant process of change and improvement in relation to its land use planning process responsibilities. 

The Shire has experienced one of the highest ongoing rates of population growth in regional Australia with almost 5% average annual growth since 1981.   Demographic change and development in the Shire of Busselton and in the region is unlikely to diminish significantly in the short term.  In conjunction with increasing complexity in the planning process this requires a high priority to be placed on strategic planning if the Shire's decision-making is to be consistent with community vision, needs and expectations.   Many of the Shire's policies and strategies will require review or replacement in order to remain valid and useful.

One of the Shire's roles is to formulate and review planning statute and policy to provide for more sustainable development outcomes and reflect the Shire's Strategic Plan. This requires analysis of community needs and the formulation of strategy, policy and town planning scheme outcomes that guide land use and the form of development over strategic time frames (5-50 years). It requires a balance between retention of the character and lifestyle values of the Shire and management of the high rate of demographic change. 

This will be undertaken through formulation of a 'Local Planning Strategy' leading to a new Town Planning Scheme over a 3-5 year time frame. A Local Planning Strategy (LPS) will be developed to provide the long term strategic planning framework for future development of the Shire of Busselton over the next 15 - 20 years. It sets out the long-term planning directions for the local government, applies State and regional planning policies and provides the rationale for the zones and other provisions of the Local Planning Scheme. It provides the strategic framework within which future amendments to local planning schemes will be considered.

The Local Planning Strategy will involve the formulation of a number of strategies and policy outcomes that relate to settlement (including housing, transport, infrastructure), tourism, commerce, environment, culture and heritage and rural land use and will inform the Scheme review. Once the Local Planning Strategy has been formulated, the Scheme provisions and associated land use (zoning) outcomes can be confidently addressed through preparation of a new Local Planning Scheme.  The Local Planning Scheme provides the statutory framework within which future amendments may be considered.  

In the interim the Shire is reviewing and updating the existing Scheme text to ensure that it reflects current practice. This review is designed to achieve increased efficiency, clarity and effectiveness in the operation of the Scheme.

It is important that the Scheme Review process is underpinned by broader community input in preparation of the Local Planning Strategy and Local Planning Scheme to ensure that it reflects the community vision for the next generation.  Throughout the process various means will be employed to inform and gather views and build awareness of the process.  At this stage in the process the emphasis is on preparation of each of the planning  strategies that will form the basis of the Local Planning Strategy.

There will be opportunities to identify community values and attitudes through participation in "community focus group" meetings and workshops.  For details of the progress of each strategy please refer to the specific strategy on this website.

It is suggested that you keep an eye out on this website for updates and information on the process.