Council’s Planning Scheme 2.0

The people have spoken and it appears the council has listened.

Almost exactly a year after the initial release of the draft Whitsunday Regional Council Planning Scheme, a revised plan is to be sent out for public consultation.

While the original plan saw building heights in parts of Airlie Beach go as high as 12 storeys, causing outrage among residents, the revised plan is decidedly more conservative.

Under the new plan an additional storey will be allowed in the area behind Main St, in the Port of Airlie precinct and on Broadwater Ave between Mazlin St and the Lagoon.

This would see maximum heights of six, five and three storeys respectively.

More than 800 submissions were made on the original plan, with a “significant portion of the submissions attributed to the building heights in Airlie Beach”.

The altered plan will also include building requirements around site coverage, setbacks, roof forms and the stepping of facades.

With the motion to send the revised plan out to the public passing unanimously at Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Andrew Willcox said they had heeded the advice of the last consultation.

“The data received has been analysed and weighed up against the need to create jobs and accommodate growth,” he said.

“Council has carefully considered the feedback provided by the Whitsunday community as we acknowledge that getting this right is imperative to the future success of the region.

“The draft planning scheme supports an exciting future for the Whitsundays in providing for livable communities and housing diversity, economic growth, the protection of the environment and heritage values, reduced hazards and increased safety, and an efficient transport and infra- structure network.”

The public consultation period will begin on Monday, August 29, and finish on Friday, October 14.

Once the consultation period begins, information will be made available at whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au.