Shire of Murchison Local Planning Strategy & Local Planning Scheme No.1
Invitation for Comment
Local Planning Strategy
The Local Planning Strategy (Strategy) has been prepared as a framework for land use planning in the Shire of Murchison and provides a basis for a new Local Planning Scheme No. 1 (Scheme). The Strategy, in conjunction with the Scheme, has the potential to establish an ‘agreed path forward’, from which priorities, initiatives and activities can evolve.
Historically the Shire of Murchison has not had a Local Planning Strategy or Local Planning Scheme. In establishing a planning framework for the Shire there was a wide range of different matters that needed to be given careful consideration including but not limited to:
- Pastoral activities;
- Mining activities;
- Delivering a range and diversity of land uses;
- The protection of the natural environment;
- Recognising the cultural and significant heritage of the area;
- The emerging opportunities for remote area tourism; and
- Existing and future planned radio astronomy research.
The preparation of the local planning strategy and scheme provides a significant opportunity to support the Shire’s vision for the area, as recently expressed in the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2012/13 – 2022/23. The established vision is expressed as:
‘Working together to preserve the unique character of the Shire, supporting diverse and sustainable lifestyle and economic opportunities.’
The Strategy, in conjunction with the Scheme and Strategic Community Plan 2012/13 – 2022/23, will assist in ensuring that local interests, aspirations and ideas and concerns are actively progressed. The planning for the area also needs to facilitate the achievement of state and national objectives.
The Local Planning Strategy is intended to provide specific guidance for the next 10-15 years while respecting the importance of maintaining a view to the longer-term horizon. Unlike many other strategies that have a focus on a particular townsite or townsites, due to the unique characteristics of the Shire of Murchison, the Local Planning Strategy has an equal focus on the Murchison Settlement and the wider municipal area. This document seeks to apply state and regional planning policies and frameworks, and provide the rationale for the land use zones and other planning provisions and controls of the Local Planning Scheme.
The Local Planning Scheme, which should be read in conjunction with the local planning strategy, is the principal statutory tool for the purposes of implementing key actions. While Schemes mainly deal with land use control, development and infrastructure coordination, this should be recognised within the context of the strategic framework and the broader environmental, social and economic goals and aspirations of the local government.
It is important to recognise that the Local Planning Strategy and Scheme, whilst establishing an appropriate planning framework, do not actually directly result in the delivery of either infrastructure or new land uses/development; actual delivery will be through a range of public and private stakeholders.
Link to Local Planning Strategy Endorsed
Local Planning Scheme No. 1
The Local Planning Scheme No. 1 of the Shire of Murchison consists of this Scheme Text and the Scheme Maps. The Scheme Text should be read in conjunction with the Local Planning Strategy for the Shire.
Part 2 of the Scheme Text sets out the Local Planning Framework. At the core of this Framework is the Local Planning Strategy which 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 Scheme. In addition to the Local Planning Strategy, the Framework provides for Local Planning Policies which set out the general policies of the local government on matters within the Scheme.
The Scheme divides the local government district into zones to identify areas for particular uses and identifies land reserved for public purposes. Most importantly, the Scheme controls the types of uses and development allowed in different zones. There are particular controls included for heritage and special control areas. The Scheme Text also sets out the requirements for planning approval, enforcement of the Scheme provisions and non-conforming uses.
A copy of the approved and gazetted Shire of Murchison Local Planning Scheme No.1 text is available for viewing by clicking on the following link:
Link to Gazetted Local Planning Scheme No. 1
A copy of the Shire of Murchison Local Planning Scheme No.1 maps are available for viewing by clicking on the following link:
Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map IndexLink to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 1Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 2Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 3Link to Local PlannIng Scheme No. 1 - Map 4Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 5Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 6Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 7Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 8Link to Local Planning Scheme No. 1 - Map 9
Should you wish to know more about the Shire of Murchison’s Local Planning Strategy and Local Planning Scheme No.1 then please contact the Shire’s Chief Executive Officer on (08) 9963 7999.