Urban Growth Mangement Strategy

Urban Growth Mangement Strategy URBAN GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2015-2036 Discussion Paper OUR PLACE OUR FUTURE A planning strategy for development in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region www.pmhclistening.com.au

CONTENTS OUR PLACE OUR FUTURE... 3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT... 4 OUR PAST... 5 OUR ENVIRONMENT... 6 WHO ARE WE?... 7 PLACES TO LIVE... 8 PLACES TO WORK... 9 PLACES TO VISIT (Tourism and Recreation)... 10 PLACE MAKING... 11 MAKING IT HAPPEN (infrastructure)... 12 HAVE YOUR SAY!... 13. MAP OF KEY DEVELOPMENT AREAS... 14-15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY I acknowledge that we are gathered in Birpai Land. I pay respect to the Birpai Elders both past and present. I also extend that respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people present. PAGE 02

OUR PLACE OUR FUTURE North Brother Mountain Crowdy Bay National Park HASTINGS RIVER DRIVE Dunbogan Beach Airport Lake Cathie Beach Bartletts Beach Grants Beach Pilot Beach Wash House Beach Town Beach Oxley Beach Rocky Beach Nobbys Beach Flynns Beach 10 TOURIST DRIVE 49km PICK UP YOUR DETAILED STREET MAP FROM THE GREATER PORT MACQUARIE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE O THE IKEW INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY CENTR 8 10 TOURIST DRIVES ---- Unsealed Road WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS DISCUSSION PAPER? The aim of the Discussion Paper is to seek early community input into the preparation of a new strategy. It s all about where we live, work and play now and how this might change in the future. It s a review of the existing Port Macquarie- Hastings Urban Growth Management Strategy 2011 and an opportunity to take a fresh look at our priorities. It s about the places that are important to you. Please give us feedback or register your name so that we can keep you informed. See how to have your say on page four. REGIONAL WHAT IS A PLANNING STRATEGY AND WHERE WILL IT APPLY? The new Strategy will replace the existing Port Macquarie-Hastings Urban Growth Management Strategy 2011. The Strategy will guide our planning for all types of development, including housing, business, recreation and tourism development. It will provide a framework for development in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area as a whole, with a focus on our major towns and villages. The Strategy will look ahead to 203.6. It will be one of Council s major strategies, having a strong bearing on decisions across all of Council s operations. It is expected that Council will review the strategy again in five years time (around 2020), to adapt to changing circumstances. The main focus in the strategy will be on the planning that needs to be carried out in the next five years. WHY DO WE NEED A STRATEGY? We need a strategy to provide a clear framework for land use decisions by Council, the State Government, landowners, developers, community groups and individuals. The Strategy will ensure that all parties can make decisions with a high level of certainty, including decisions by government about new infrastructure. We need to prepare a strategy to meet State Government requirements in the Mid North Coast Regional Strategy. PAGE 03.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY VISION AND FEEDBACK Council, together with the community have developed a community strategic plan and vision for our region in close consultation with our community. In 203.0 the vision of the community is that the people of our region will be: Living in a harmonious safe and connected community. Enjoying participatory local democracy. Accessing quality infrastructure including roads, waste, water and sewerage management. Benefiting from quality urban design that encourages use of open spaces and provides easy access between our towns and villages. Enjoying economic prosperity and having access to quality education and training. Actively participating in inclusive community activities. Preserving and protecting our natural habitats. KEY QUESTIONS? What s your vision for the future of the Port Macquarie- Hastings? What kind of places will we have in the future? What do you like about the existing strategy? (Can be found on Council s website) What in the existing strategy do you think should be changed? An overview of steps and key dates is provided below: Now Public exhibition of Discussion Paper October - December 2014 Early 2015 Draft Strategy Preparation Mid 2015 - Late 2015 Exhibition of draft Strategy review of submissions and final report If you re interested in the future of this area, then your opinion matters. You can make a submission about this discussion paper up until 12 December 2014 at one of Council s customer service centres, by post or online at www.pmhclistening.com.au. For more information email leanne.fuller@pmhc.nsw.gov.au or phone 6581 8674 or 6581 8546. Please register your interest so that we can keep you informed. Join the discussion online at www.pmhclistening.com.au, facebook/pmhc2444 or twitter/pmhcouncil. Get on our list of interested persons to be notified at key stages by completing an online registration form or by contacting us. The following sections provide a summary of some of the issues to trigger ideas and facilitate conversations during the preparation of the new strategy. PAGE 04

OUR PAST DID YOU KNOW? The modern rectangular grid street layout in the Port Macquarie CBD is quite different to the original fan-shaped street pattern that was first established for the penal colony. Under Governor Darling, Port Macquarie changed in 1830 from a defensive convict settlement under military control to a free settlement and a new plan was prepared by surveyor F.R. D Arcy in 183.1. The new plan was the first to show Horton, Clarence, William, Hay, Murray and Bridge streets. From the 1840s onwards, vibrant communities prospered in the Hastings and Camden Haven Valleys around a timber industry that thrived on easily accessible, high quality timber in close proximity to wharves servicing booming domestic and export markets. During this period, Wauchope and its surrounding towns and villages were the dominant population and commercial centres of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. Following an extensive period of Aboriginal settlement, Port Macquarie was developed to house convicts in the early 1800 s. It has developed as a planned town ever since. Much of what we see and take for granted today is a legacy of these early planning decisions. For example, the grid street pattern, wide streets and the relationship to the river and surrounding environment. Perhaps for this reason, Port Macquarie has been described as having good bones. We also take for granted that that the Pacific Highway does not pass through the middle of our major towns, and that visitors have a sense of having arrived somewhere special when they reach our townships. Each of our towns is a destination, with unique characteristics and attractive natural amenity. In Wauchope, we see the historic civic buildings in the main street and there is a mix of small scale residential and commercial uses in and around the town centre. Just as our predecessors have shaped our towns and villages with past decisions, our decisions regarding new development will also create a legacy for future residents. So we need to think carefully about the choices we make. The aim of the new strategy is to provide a framework and guiding principles for these decisions. KEY QUESTIONS What parts of our heritage do you think need to be protected? How can we enhance the existing character of our place? PAGE 05

Council has recently completed mapping of vegetation and koala habitat for the Port Macquarie- Hastings area which will help to inform our land use planning. We also need to consider the expected impacts of climate change on areas of development in the future. For example, Council has been working on assessing options to manage the impacts of sea level rise on existing development in Lake Cathie. OUR ENVIRONMENT Hakea Archaeoides DID YOU KNOW? There are approximately 500 koalas in the area surrounding Lake Innes to the south of Port Macquarie, making it one of the most significant coastal populations of koalas in Australia. The Port Macquarie-Hastings is home to a large number of rare and endangered species, including the Hakea Archaeoides (pictured right). This species exists only between Taree and Wauchope and has survived climate change for the past 60 million years. Areas of World Heritage listed Gondwana rainforest can be found in the Comboyne area and in National Parks at Mount Seaview and Werrikimbee. Council s flood modelling includes a 450mm allowance for predicted sea level rise to 2055. The natural landscape and environment have had a strong influence on how our towns and villages have developed. In the Camden Haven, growth has been directed to the west as the limited space between floodplains and the Doorigan National Park (North Brother) have become fully developed. In Port Macquarie, opportunities for growth are limited by National Park to the south and the Hastings River floodplain and other environmental constraints to the west and north-west. PAGE 06 Planned growth will be focused on flood-free, relatively low constraint land at the Innes Peninsula and around Thrumster in the coming years. Our relationship with the natural environment is complex. It is often difficult to coordinate environmental management across a number of properties owned by different parties. There is strong demand from residents and visitors to live and stay in a natural environment but by doing so, we collectiviely have an impact on the environment. KEY QUESTIONS What do you see as the right balance between growth and conservation? How should Council manage areas of vegetation in new and existing urban areas (e.g. isolated koala food trees in areas planned for urban growth)? Where do you think new development should take place if not in the areas that are currently identified in the Urban Growth Management Strategy? (See pages 14-15)

WHO WE ARE We are the community of the Port Macquarie-Hastings. In 2011, our population was 74,956 people and Council forecasts that it will grow to 102,925 people by 2036. This growth is almost totally due to migration of people from other areas. In the five years to 2011, migration was primarily from Sydney, Central West NSW, the Mid North Coast and overseas. Migration away from this area was primarily to Newcastle and Southeast Queensland, including a substantial number of younger people aged between 20 and 3.4. This loss of young people, as shown in the graph is expected to reduce as local education opportunities improve. There are some significant differences in the makeup of our communities. For example, people aged over 45 made up around 70% of the population in the Camden Haven (east) in 2011, of which, 78% of households in the Camden Haven (east) had only one or two residents. In other areas, such as Lighthouse Beach, Shelly Beach and Wauchope, there were higher levels of families with children. Developing areas, like Thrumster, typically have the highest numbers of young families. This has a significant bearing on the types of dwelling that is needed to accommodate future populations. Council s website http:// forecast.id.com.au/hastings provides a wealth of demographic information about the makeup of our communities and expected population growth. This will form the basis for the review of the current Strategy. We welcome your input about who we are and the issues that we will face, like planning for an ageing population. DID YOU KNOW? The population of the Port Macquarie-Hastings is expected to grow by more than 1,000 people per year to 102,925 in 203.6. The number of people aged over 65 is expected to increase from 24% at present to 32% of the population by 203.6. Port Macquarie, more than ever before, is projected to have a greater number of persons aged 70-85 plus. We have a smaller percentage of young workers, tertiary and independents compared to other areas of NSW. For example the percentage of young people aged 20-3.4 years in the area is 11.8% compared to 16.0% for regional NSW. KEY QUESTIONS What do you think we should do to best plan for an ageing population? What type of housing do you think we will need and where will we want to live when we re older (i.e. 65 and over)? What would encourage younger people to stay and work here? PAGE 07

PLACES TO LIVE - OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS DID YOU KNOW? Approximately 500 new dwellings will be required every year to 203.6, to accommodate our expected growth in population At present we have more than 20 years supply of vacant zoned residential land in the local government area. Household size in Australia has declined since the 1970s. In the Port Macquarie-Hastings, the average number of people in a household has fallen from 2.85 in 1981 to 2.3.4 in 2011, which is forecast to further decrease to 2.31 by 2021. KEY QUESTIONS A key question in the strategy review will be the extent to which we continue to grow outwards in the future. Should we continue to plan for residential expansion beyond the areas already identified for growth and if so, where? Should new residential development to the west of Port Macquarie extend beyond the Pacific Highway in the longer term? What do you think our neighbourhoods of the future should look like? PAGE 8 Historically, around 70% of new development has taken place in the Port Macquarie-Wauchope corridor. This trend is expected to continue due to growth at Innes Peninsula, Thrumster and Wauchope. Significant growth areas also exist at Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and to the east of Kew. Planning is also in place for new rural residential development (large lot residential) which is able to be serviced, that it is away from areas that may be required for future urban expansion and where conflict is avoided with significant environmental and agricultural lands. New rural residential development is not permitted east of the Pacific Highway under the current Mid North Coast Regional Strategy. Our existing Urban Growth Management Strategy identifies suitable areas for new rural residential development at Kendall, Beechwood, King Creek and Sancrox. (See pages 14-15) In 2011 it was estimated that there was up to 25 years supply of rural residential lots in existing and proposed rural residential areas. Detailed investigations are currently being undertaken regarding future development at Sancrox. Due to an ageing population and reducing household size, it is expected that there will be a demand for greater housing choice, including accommodation for one and two person households. The aim of the new strategy is to provide a planning framework to meet demand for growth in the right locations and at the right time, provide places that are great to live in and to recognise that each local area is different.

PLACES TO WORK A key consideration in Council s planning is to facilitate the development of a diverse regional economy in the Port Macquarie- Hastings. Council has recently zoned around 90 hectares of land for new industrial development near the Pacific Highway at Sancrox, in addition to established industrial areas in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton. As a result, there is more than 20 years supply of vacant land for new industrial development in the Port Macquarie-Hastings. It is expected that there will be some movement of industry to Sancrox and that the existing industrial areas will continue to provide a mix of industry and local service-based businesses. The Port Macquarie town centre and Settlement City will continue to be the main focus for retail and business development, as one of the major centres on the Mid North Coast with new land zoned for retail development in Settlement City. Local town centres will also be retained and enhanced in established areas like Wauchope and Laurieton and new local centres will be provided in growth areas at Thrumster and Lake Cathie, as our population and demand for services grow over time. Bulky goods retail will continue to be focussed along Hastings River Drive and Lake Road in Port Macquarie. This hierarchy of business centres is fundamental to Council s planning for growth. Improving connectivity to and from business centres will be a key aim in the new Strategy, including links to health and education facilities near the Port Macquarie Base Hospital and links to the Port Macquarie Airport and surrounding business district. The challenge is to plan for coordinated growth in the right locations and to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements when they are required. DID YOU KNOW? The new Charles Sturt University campus due to open in 2016, will cater for an estimated 5000 students (3.000 full-time equivalent students) by 2030. A new joint health education facility near the Base Hospital will be completed in 2015 and will offer a full six year medical degree and other supported health related education. The Hastings Co-operative (The Co-op) in Wauchope has been in operation since 1916. It employs approximately 265 people across a range of services and has over 8900 local shareholders. Council recently approved a new retail development in the Settlement Point precinct which will include 6000sqm of specialty retail and a Kmart development. KEY QUESTIONS Do you think we have enough land in the right places for retail development? What impact do you think changing technology will have on our business areas in the future? Where do you think new employment orientated development should be located? PAGE 9

PLACES TO VISIT (Tourism and Recreation) DID YOU KNOW? Port Macquarie-Hastings is the number one ranked destination on the Mid North Coast with approximately 1.5 million visitors each year to the region between 2010 and 2013.. Airport passenger numbers have more than doubled from 100,000 in 2005 to 23.0,000 in 2014. They are predicted to almost double again to an estimated 450,000 passengers in 203.0. 50% of current passengers are tourists or visitors to the Port Macquarie-Hastings. Approximately $27 million was injected into the local economy from major events in 2013./14. KEY QUESTIONS How best can we grow our tourism industry? What types of new tourism development would you like to see? Where would you like to see new tourism ventures? PAGE 10 Tourism is an important industry in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, employing at least 2000 people in April 2014 in jobs directly related to tourism and many other jobs that depend partly on the tourist trade. For the year ending September 2013., a total of 1,53.9,000 visitors came to the Greater Port Macquarie Region with a total spend of $462 million. Events, including sporting, entertainment and food and wine, are a major driver of visitation to Greater Port Macquarie. From a land use planning perspective, the aim is to permit a wide range of tourism related activity to complement existing development and the future growth of our urban and rural areas. Rural tourist related employment is also an important growth area, including farm gate tourism, food and wine related tourism and eco-tourism. Council is therefore aiming to facilitate active living opportunities in recreation planning for existing and new areas of development, ecotourism opportunities in rural and other non-urban areas and opportunities in existing urban zones and urban investigation areas, where infrastructure can be provided. The recent upgrade of Port Macquarie Airport means the upgraded runway now provides capability for 180-seat B737/ A3.20 jet aircraft. This opens up opportunities including possible links to Melbourne and other destinations in the future.

PLACE MAKING Place Making is the community and Council working together to create great, active, public places that everyone can use. Although the term Place Making is relatively new, the idea is not. People have been contributing to making places active forever. Council has actively consulted the community, not only on specific projects, but also in relation to the community s overall vision. In preparing the new Strategy, Council is seeking your feedback on places that are important to you and to the community as a whole. The Strategy will identify opportunities to create well planned public spaces that are connected to one another, each with a unique character and style. The Strategy will provide a framework for Council to consider Place Making in terms of land use planning. The Strategy may identify key Place Making locations and initiatives for action by the community and Council. Success is not just about what Council does, it is about what we all do together. It is about active individuals and communities. DID YOU KNOW? Council is currently working on a number of pilot Place Making initiatives, including the Beach to Beach coastal walk and School to School footpaths in cooperation with the Camden Haven communities. The project extends for around 11km from Pilot Beach in Dunbogan to North Haven Beach. The Comboyne community is also working on a Place Making initiative for Main Street, Comboyne. KEY QUESTIONS Which space do you think is most in need of Place Making in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region? Why is it important that we focus on that space? Which spaces are most important to you personally and why? How should Council engage with the community to actively get the community involved in Place Making? PAGE 11

MAKING IT HAPPEN (Infrastructure) DID YOU KNOW? Both Ocean Drive and the Oxley Highway in Port Macquarie carry more traffic every day than the Pacific Highway. Ocean Drive carries up to 20,000 vehicle trips per day (vpd) and the Oxley Highway carries approximately 15,000 vpd, compared to approximately 10,000 vpd near Sancrox on the Pacific Highway. A high speed rail line has recently been investigated by the federal government along the Mid North Coast. The rail line will pass through Sancrox, near Bushlands Drive. By infrastructure we mean roads, water, sewerage, open spaces, community facilities, telecommunication and electrical services. The new Strategy will provide an important guide for local, state and federal governments in relation to demand and priorities for new infrastructure. During the past four years, since adoption of the existing strategy by Council, planning has included investigations for the Sancrox and Fernbank Creek industrial areas, including arrangements to fund the new Sancrox Highway overpass. Infrastructure is provided to new communities by Council and developers working together. Highway upgrades and improvements to airport facilities have been constructed during the past five years. This has significantly improved access to and from the region. This is significant for local traffic since approximately 50% of workers who live in Wauchope and the Camden Haven areas, work in Port Macquarie. The highway improvements can be expected to reduce trip times for commuters and increase traffic from outlying areas into Port Macquarie. Traffic will also increase due to expected population growth and we can expect to see growing pressure on all roads, including local connector roads like Ocean Drive, Lake Road and Gordon Street in coming years. KEY QUESTIONS What infrastructure do you think should be prioritised? What priority do you think should be given to the use of reclaimed (treated) water from Council s wastewater treatment facilities? PAGE 12

HAVE YOUR SAY! Photo credit: Chase O Leary The aim of this Discussion Paper is to get your input early in the process of preparing the new strategy. The questions asked are just a starting point and we welcome your input on anything related to planning for our future. The Discussion Paper will be on exhibition until 12 December 2014. Council will then consider all comments received during the preparation of a draft strategy. The aim is to exhibit a draft strategy in 2015 for community input. Please register your interest and provide feedback online at www.pmhclistening.com.au and we will keep you informed during the preparation and review of the new strategy. You can also join in on discussions online at www.pmhclistening.com.au, facebook/pmhc2444 or twitter/pmhcouncil You can also call us for more information on 6581 8674 or 6581 8546. You can provide feedback by email to leanne.fuller@pmhc.nsw.gov.au PAGE 13.

MAP OF KEY DEVELOPMENT AREAS

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