Following a six-week period of extensive community consultation, the Northern Territory Planning Commission has made a number of changes to the draft Holtze Area Plan.
Gary Nairn, Planning Commission chairman, said more than 420 people visited the Planning Commission’s information stands at local shopping centres and at the Fred’s Pass Show.
“During the consultation period myself, and other Planning Commission members, carried out numerous briefings to interested stakeholders, including local MLAs, Litchfield Council and Holtze residents,” said Mr Nairn
From the 57 formal submissions received, it became clear that while there was strong support for the proposed hospital and medical precinct, as well as the adjacent commercial area, a number of aspects of the exhibited plan were of concern to the community.
Following further investigations, the Planning Commission resolved that the following revisions be made to the Holtze Area Plan:
The proposed Glyde Arterial corridor is a strong planning boundary and therefore no land use changes are proposed for the land to its north.
A larger buffer will be created between the corridor and existing lots fronting Wallaby Holtze Road to provide approximately 150 metres separation.
“It is also acknowledged there is suitably zoned service commercial land in the general vicinity, therefore the area previously designated for that land use has been removed,” Mr Nairn said.
“The Planning Commission is soon to commence upfront community consultations on detailed planning for the Litchfield area and consideration of service commercial needs across the rural area will be considered in that work.”
Mr Nairn said he believed the changes proposed in the draft plan represented a successful outcome for local residents and the broader community.
The draft plan has now been forwarded to Lands and Planning Minister David Tollner.
If the Minister approves the plan, and its associated planning principles, it will be exhibited as a proposed planning scheme amendment and the community will have a further opportunity to comment.
For further information, visit http://www.planningcommission.nt.gov.au/holtze-area-plan
Media contact: Hollie Young 0437 868 115