The Whitsunday Regional Council Planning Scheme was adopted on 28 June 2017 and commenced on 30 June 2017. The new planning scheme will facilitate development to accommodate future growth of up to 20,000 people and over 9,000 more jobs region wide by 2036 in a manner that is environmentally sustainable, boosts industry development and supports the rich lifestyle enjoyed by the Whitsunday community. It is the first planning scheme for the Whitsunday region since amalgamation between Bowen and Whitsunday Shires in 2009 and is a key step for delivering a successful, stronger and more resilient region into the future.
Council is currently undertaking public consultation on the Planning Scheme Amendment to include the Local Government Infrastructure Plan (Part 4 and Schedule 3). The Public Consultation Period is Wednesday 17 January 2018 to 5pm on Tuesday 6 March 2018. To review the Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) and supporting information or to have your say by making a submission, please go to http://yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/ and find the LGIP project page.
The Whitsunday Planning Scheme supersedes the
2009 Whitsunday Shire Planning Scheme and
2006 Bowen Shire Planning Scheme.
On 3 July 2017, Whitsunday Regional Council commenced an alignment amendment under the Alignment Amendment Rules and section 293 of the
Planning Act 2016 to the Whitsunday Regional Council Planning Scheme 2017 Version 3.5 (the aligned amendment).
The alignment amendment involved administrative changes that have the purpose and general effect of aligning the Whitsunday Planning Scheme 2017 to meet functions and terminology within the
Planning Act 2016.
Whitsunday Regional Council Planning Scheme 2017
To view the Planning Scheme and the associated maps, please click on the links below:
Below are the maps associated with the Planning Scheme:
Supporting Documents
In order for Council to make informed decisions about the planning scheme, a number of studies have been completed over the past 5 years which are used to inform and underpin the decisions that influence the preparation of the scheme.
Some of these important studies include:
• The 2013 Norling Population and Growth Study
• The 2014 Urban Growth Study
• Whitsunday Coast Airport International Export Hub Master Plan and Feasibility Study
There are also several ancillary documents that support the planning scheme, and these include:
• The Whitsunday Development Manual
• Climate Change Adaption Policy
• Climate Adaptation Strategy 2016-2020
• The Adopted Infrastructure Charges Notice
See studies and superseded planning schemes for further information.