Landuse Planning
The NRCMA is the only CMA in the State with a Landuse Planning theme in it's CAP. The Northern Rivers community expressed a strong desire for this programme as it is obvious that high and sustained population growth and urban expansion is putting great pressure on the natural resources and Aboriginal cultural landscapes in our region.
With the development pressures in the Northern Rivers region, the treatment of natural resources in planning and planning instruments becomes a major influence on the resource condition and the achievement of local, state and national Targets.
The main goal of the program is to incorporate the protection of our environmental assets and Aboriginal Cultural Landscapes into local (LEPs) and regional planning instruments. Another important goal is to reduce the landuse conflict which can occur when development occurs next to farming land and important environmental areas.
Program delivery
Landuse Planning (LUP) has a limited budget as its focus is more toward strategic planning than on-ground works. Three of the four Management Targets focus on all of the Local Councils in the region incorporating specific NRM issues into their developing Local Environment Plans (LEPs). LUP projects are developed to assist the Councils in achieving these targets by providing them with some resources that they may require. Whilst the Northern Rivers CMA staff deal directly with the Councils and liaise between Councils and the Department of Planning, contractors are engaged to carry out projects such as data collection, product development and systems development.
Clients, stakeholders and engagement approach
Primary clients of the Landuse Planning Program include Local Government strategic planners, of which the Northern Rivers CMA seeks their advice and support for the incorporation of CAP targets into developing LEPs. Local Government is a primary stakeholder of this program and a good relationship has been developed with Council planning staff via meeting at workshops and events and by direct contact by phone and email. Department of Planning (DoP) is another key stakeholder with the Northern Rivers CMA, consulting DoP for assistance on technical planning and legislation issues and in the development of LUP projects and strategic direction. The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) is also an important partner. DECC provide information on flora and fauna distribution and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage conservation for the purpose of project development and Council advice.
Useful links
Living and working in rural areas (NSW North Coast) handbook
A guide to rural residential living in the Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast of NSW
Northern Rivers CMA Landuse Conflict Database: A recording mechanism available to all the local councils in the Northern Rivers CMA region, developed in consultation with Council and other stakeholders. It provides Councils with a mechanism for maintaining a record of landuse conflict issues which may arise in their LGA. The recording mechanism includes fields which are consistent across the region and allows for data collation and reporting on a regional scale.
CCA project 26 - New South Wales Department of Planning, 2006, The CCA Integrated Decision Framework: A guide for sustainable land use planning, prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (Department of Planning 2006), Sydney.
