Neighbourhood planning guide concerns

Council will notify the State Government of concerns it has with a proposed planning guide for neighbourhood designs.

The Queensland Government in November 2016 released a consultation paper – Creating Healthy and Active Communities and a proposed Model Code for Neighbourhood Design.

A report tabled at Council’s Ordinary Meeting today noted that while the consultation paper states that the model code is voluntary, there are provisions that will become mandatory in relation to the following five overarching provisions:

The street network is based on a grid-like structure to encourage ease of movement and walkability;Limit the use of cul-de-sac streets. Where cul-de-sac streets exist cul-de-sac heads allow through access for pedestrians and cyclists;Have footpaths complemented by street trees on both sides of most streets;Have blocks no longer than 130 metres with longer blocks having mid-block pedestrian links; andHave parks and open spaces within comfortable walking distance of every dwelling.

While Council supports the development of a model code as a guideline, it does not support the mandatory application of the codes.

Key points of Council’s submission to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning include:

The mandatory provisions are not supported and local governments should be able to adapt the provisions of the code to suit their local context.There is no clarification around the application of the code or the mandatory provisions.State-wide application of the code is not appropriate and the provisions appear to been written for SEQ circumstances.A number of the provisions relate to the provision of infrastructure (roads, pathways and open space) and seek to change standards of service, resulting in potential significant financial impacts to Council through increased infrastructure provision and associated ongoing maintenance costs.