By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council decided on a number of policy directions for the new Southern Downs Planning Scheme at the 26 October meeting.
The motion was broken up into parts so issues could be dealt with individually.
Councillors moved to include provisions within the draft Planning Scheme and develop an associated policy in relation to transferable titles “where the overall intent is to allow for the continued rural productivity of the land“.
It was also decided in the meeting not to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct in the region.
Councillors moved to “continue to encourage live music through improvements to the associated Local Law“ instead.
Staff and councillors spoke about the extra work that a Special Entertainment Precinct would create, stating changing local laws would be easier.
Cr Cameron Gow said they should go to community consultation when changing the local laws.
Cr Jo McNally moved the motion and stated there were some local laws they were already working on, including some dating back to Warwick shire days, and asked if they’d add this to the list.
Chief executive Dave Burges said it depended on their priorities.
The Sugarloaf area was dealt with, with councillors moving to continue with the previous position they established earlier this year, “whereby Dwelling houses can be established on the existing lots with appropriate conditions, with no further subdivision permitted on existing lots“.
Cr McNally noted when discussing this issue that there is a housing crisis, and stated there should be a moratorium for people to get their dwellings up to scratch.
The topic of Poly Tunnels was then discussed, with a motion carried stating that “intensive horticulture uses (with the exception of mushroom farms) remain Accepted development“.
Intensive animal uses were then touched on, with a motion carried stating that Council will “allow for Intensive animal uses to be established across the region, subject to appropriate provisions in the Planning Scheme“.
It was decided that Council will continue with the same provisions for setbacks for houses in areas zoned as rural which exist under the current Southern Downs Planning Scheme, which allows for assessment on a case-by-case basis.
While the majority of motions were passed unanimously, Crs McNally, Sheryl Windle, and Cynthia McDonald voted against this motion.
Councillors then voted on rural residential lot sizes, moving to set a minimum of 4,000 square metres and a maximum of 4.0 hectares.
Cr Ross Bartley said in the discussion that if they go too small with separations it defeats the purpose of living out there.
There was a significant discussion over what infrastructure provisions should be required for new lots in the rural residential zone.
Cr Gow said the planning scheme needs to reflect the whole region and noted that some places don’t have access to town water so the Council can’t require it in the planning scheme.
He did not agree with the kerb and channel requirements discussed.
Cr McNally spoke about development on the way out to Leslie Dam and said kerb and channel should be required when a certain number of lots is being developed.
Staff spoke about the difference between necessary conditions and unnecessary conditions.
“Are we conditioning stuff that we can afford in the future?“
Cr Stephen Tancred stated they could condition tank size depending on variables such as bedroom size, while Cr Windle said there has to be some flexibility.
Cr Windle stated that in the region’s villages there are some components they do want and don’t want, and we need flexibility for each village and town.
Cr Bartley said they can’t make development in villages unaffordable.
Staff stated they were “concerned about the burden of infrastructure they could be placing on the council in future“.
Councillors then decided to break down the infrastructure provisions motion further.
Councillors passed that they would not require connection to urban water supply, kerbing and channelling unless required for stormwater management, and would provide an approved outcome for electricity and telecommunications for the rural residential zone.
Staff stated that even if they don’t require kerbing and channelling they will still be responsible for some sort of drainage and this is a “significant maintenance burden on the council“.
Cr Tancred said footpaths should be required and are not a huge burden, while Cr Gow said the council might have better ideas for where footpaths should go.
The footpath masterplan was referenced, with discussions over whether footpaths need to be referenced in the planning scheme given it exists.
They then moved that within the Township zone, there will be no requirement for kerb and channel unless required for stormwater management.
They also moved that there will be no requirement for kerbing and channelling unless it is a requirement for footpath provision in acceptable localities or road construction.
Councillors then moved that provisions be made in relation to sewer and footpaths, “within the industry zone depending on locality and proposed use“.
Finally, councillors moved that they would “make provision for the allowance of a concrete edge strip and swale drain in the low-density residential zone of Allora and Killarney, where kerb and channel is not required for stormwater management“.
