Key changes to shape growth

Planning proposals to help shape a growing city

A range of key policy positions to shape the City of Logan’s future growth were endorsed at a Logan City Council Special Meeting today (Tuesday, September 6).

The planning improvements will help deliver well-designed, liveable neighbourhoods and opportunities for future investment and jobs across a rapidly growing city.

The proposed changes will be captured in the new planning scheme, Logan Plan 2025, and aim to address matters raised by residents, businessowners and other stakeholders about current development outcomes.

They also take into account updated Queensland Government requirements and changing industry and community expectations.

Proposed positions for Logan Plan 2025 include:

• New subdivisions will need to offer diversity in design and block shapes with a stronger focus on sustainability and landscaping
• Key activity centres such as Springwood, Underwood and Holmview will be expanded to provide additional growth opportunities
• Clearer guidelines for service stations and places of worship in terms of location, size and impact on surrounding areas
• Improved support for tourism, particularly nature-based experiences in rural areas
• Improving how Council and the community protect our rich and diverse heritage, including that of our first nations’ peoples
• Aligning the city’s flood risk management approach with updated requirements from the Queensland Government and the recommendations from the Floods Commission of Inquiry.

Mayor Darren Power described the proposals as a strong, contemporary approach that puts the City of Logan at the forefront of best-practice planning and urban design.

“These proposed changes will ensure future development occurs in areas where it makes sense, and in ways that best serve our community’s needs and lifestyles,” Cr Power said.

Planning Chair, Councillor Jon Raven, said the proposed changes reflect concerns raised by residents and other stakeholders, and present opportunities for better outcomes in our growing city.

He said it was important for Council to receive further input from the community to help fine-tune Logan Plan 2025.

“We know that good planning creates great outcomes, which is critical for the City of Logan’s future,” Cr Raven said.

“With the community’s feedback and support this will be a once in a generation opportunity to influence the design of our city for decades to come.”

The changes will now be written into draft policy, which will undergo legal review before being submitted to the Queensland Government for consideration.

That will be followed by formal and extensive community and stakeholder consultation, which will be an opportunity for the community to have a further say on the new planning scheme before it is submitted again to the Queensland Government for final approval.

State legislation requires local governments to review and refresh their planning schemes every 10 years. The City of Logan’s existing planning scheme commenced in 2015.