What is a local planning strategy

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 LPS will make recommendations which will have significant influence on the land use planning outcomes and lifestyle that will be available to the Shire community into the future.

The LPS will involve the formulation of a series of comprehensive land use planning strategies and policy outcomes that will inform the Scheme review. These include the following strategies:

• Local Rural Planning Strategy (endorsed in 2008)
• Scheme Review Communications Strategy (completed in 2007)
• Local Commercial Planning Strategy (due for completion mid 2008)
• Local Tourism Planning Strategy (due for completion mid 2008)
• Local Environmental Planning Strategy (due for completion in late 2008)
• Local Settlement Planning Strategy (due for completion in late 2008)
• Local Cultural/Heritage Planning Strategy (commences 2008)

These will form the basis of the LPS to inform the Local Planning Scheme. The preparation of the strategies that form the overall Local Planning Strategy will be the most intensive phase of the Scheme Review process.

Once the LPS has been formulated, the Scheme provisions and associated land use (zoning) outcomes can be confidently addressed with a view to ensuring appropriate economic, environmental and socio-cultural outcomes for residents of, and visitors to, the Shire.

At each stage of the review the public and other stakeholders will be provided with the opportunity to contribute to the formulation of strategies and Scheme outcomes via an extensive community consultation process.