People wanting to comment on the Draft Holtze Area Plan have only a week remaining to do so.

The Chairman of the NT Planning Commission (NTPC), Gary Nairn, said local residents and the broader community had shown considerable interest in the draft plan. He reminded them the closing date for public exhibition is this Friday 26 June 2015.

“About 250 people visited our display during the Fred’s Pass Show and over one hundred more people attended the display at Palmerston Shopping Centre and Palmerston Markets.

“In addition, the NTPC has met with numerous local residents and all NTPC members attended a meeting of about 25 residents after a tour of the Holtze area,” Mr Nairn added.

He said the quality and extent of information provided during these meetings and in subsequent written submissions would be very helpful in preparing his recommendation to the Minister for Land and Planning David Tollner. 

“Clearly local residents, while acknowledging the importance of the proposed hospital and medical precincts as part of the draft plan, have serious concerns as to the extent of future residential and service commercial development and the impact on existing properties and lifestyles.”

Mr Nairn assured residents that the NTPC was taking these submissions and concerns seriously and would closely scrutinise the proposed land uses prior to making a recommendation to the Minister. A final display would be at the Howard Springs Shopping Centre on Saturday 20 June but Mr Nairn encouraged people to also make written submissions before Friday, 26 June.

 Media Contact: Helen Farquhar 0437 458 213