PORT-Macquarie-Hastings Council will seek feedback on a new planning framework to promote new development in suitable areas close to the Port Macquarie CBD.
Liveable Neighbourhoods is a policy document that will guide changes to various planning controls such as the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan.
It is designed to help achieve the urban consolidation goals set out in the Mid North Coast Regional Strategy 2009, including that 40 per cent of new housing on the Mid North Coast should consist of either apartments or townhouses.
In order to encourage development in areas close to the CBD, the framework may result in changes to existing building rules including those governing height, distance from the street and off-street parking.
Encouraging new development in areas within or surrounding established town centres makes better use of existing infrastructure, makes provision of public transport more efficient, makes walking and cycling more appealing and reduces the need to clear bushland or farmland on the fringe of urban areas.
The council’s development and environment services director Matt Rogers said the Port Macquarie-Hastings region would need approximately 400 new dwellings every year between now and 2031 to cater for expected growth.
While much of this growth could be accommodated in the short to medium term in the urban growth areas at Thrumster, Lake Cathie/Bonny Hills and in the Camden Haven near Kew, there were efficiencies to be gained from consolidating development around existing centres.
Mr Rogers said the Liveable Neighbourhoods framework would provide for some of the future growth to be accommodated efficiently within a few minutes’ walk of the Port Macquarie CBD. It would help residents by providing housing in convenient locations and would help businesses by increasing the population in their catchment.
He said planning now to encourage apartments and townhouses close to the Port Macquarie CBD would help provide a variety of housing choices in terms of size and cost while protecting the region’s character and amenity.
The council is currently focusing on two investigation areas for urban consolidation. A draft policy has already been prepared for the Port Macquarie CBD fringe while work has started on a draft policy for the area south of Town Beach to Hill Street, including parts of Lord Street and Gordon Street.
Mr Rogers said council could not force new development to locate in urban consolidation areas.
“What we can do is encourage new development and make sure the planning rules are set correctly so that good quality, medium density development can happen without unnecessary delay.
“The rest is very much up to the housing market to create the demand and the development industry to deliver the supply.”
The Liveable Neighbourhoods draft planning framework is on exhibition from last Monday to the close of business on Monday 17 March. Copies are available for viewing at council offices and libraries in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton or online at www.pmhclistening.com.au
