Gladstone Regional Council
Planning Scheme
Our Place Our Plan About the proposed Planning Scheme A planning scheme is a legal document that guides how land is developed. The new Planning Scheme will replace the schemes from the former Gladstone City, Calliope Shire and Miriam Vale Shire councils. It will provide one document of consistent land use planning rules and regulations across Council’s jurisdiction and has been prepared in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.
LOCALITY OF West Gladstone, Kin Kora & Sun Valley Regional growth The Gladstone Region has experienced significant population growth in recent years and population forecasts predict that this is likely to continue. On average, the resident population of the region has increased by about three per cent per year since 2010, making it one of the fastest growing local government areas in Queensland. It is expected that the population is likely to almost double from the current figure of approximately 60,000 to almost 112,000 people by 2031.*
Has my zone changed? It is likely that the name of your zone has changed. New planning schemes in Queensland must follow State Government requirements for drafting which includes a standard set of zones. All properties throughout the region have been categorised into zones which reflect intended or previous uses for the site. In many cases, the provisions for development may not have changed substantially.
West Gladstone, Kin Kora & Sun Valley overview The localities of West Gladstone, Kin Kora and Sun Valley have a combined population of approximately 9350** people and include the area between Glenlyon Road, Blain Drive and the Dawson Highway south to the rail line near Tigalee Creek. It is characterised by a mix of low and medium scale residential development, a range of medical services including the region’s two hospitals, the region’s largest shopping centre at Kin Kora as well as smaller commercial/retail centres, several schools and community facilities. The proposed Planning Scheme identifies the existing residential activities in the equivalent Low density, Low-medium density and Medium density residential zones. The extent of this zoning has been changed from that of the previous scheme, with a focus on urban revitalisation close to the city centre, major transport routes and sporting and community facilities. Further areas for increased density residential housing have been nominated surrounding the hospitals which are identified within the Gladstone Hospital precinct. In this area, residential development including medium-rise apartments and other forms of attached housing is supported as appropriate infill development. Mixed use development in the Gladstone Hospital precinct is also encouraged with a focus on medical, short term accommodation and local shops and services. Commercial activities have been identified within the Centre, Neighbourhood centre and Specialised centre zones, depending on their location and size of service area. Additional areas for medium density and low-medium density residential development have been identified in the areas close to Stockland Gladstone shopping centre. Some areas of undeveloped land that have been identified for urban expansion have been included in the Emerging community zone. Also, land that is affected by flooding in the Kin Kora and Sun Valley area has been included in the Limited development (constrained land) zone. Most of this land was previously located within the Rural zone. Some areas within the West Gladstone, Kin Kora and Sun Valley localities are affected by a number of overlay codes under the proposed Planning Scheme, such as the Airport, Steep land, Flood hazard and Coastal hazard overlay codes. Proposed developments within these areas would need to address the relevant provisions. *Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, 2012. **Commonwealth of Australia (ABS), 2011.