The Darwin Inner Suburbs Draft Area Plan is the culmination of two months of community consultations and infrastructure studies to plan for our growing community.
Following extensive upfront consultation with the community, the Northern Territory Planning Commission is pleased to launch Stage Two of the Inner Suburbs Area Planning project.
Stage Two involves further consultation on a draft Area Plan for the Inner Suburbs, proposing future land uses for Residential areas, Activity Centres, Industrial and Service Commercial areas, Social Infrastructure, Movement and Transport, Essential Services and Environment and Heritage.
Planning Commission Chairman Gary Nairn said feedback so far has been terrific.
“We have spoken with well over 600 residents, held briefings for community and industry stakeholders and received almost 70 submissions,” Mr Nairn said.
“I’ve been delighted by the genuine level of interest from the community, and while there are many different views, I believe we have achieved a good balance between growing the inner suburbs in a vibrant way, and protecting the tropical character currently enjoyed in the surrounding localities,” he said.
“We envisage much of the growth will be accommodated in the precincts around Parap/Woolner and the Stuart Highway/Stuart Park areas,” Mr Nairn said.
The Area Plan is a long term plan for Darwin’s future. It allows proposed changes to take place over time, in a planned, logical way. You are encouraged to view all of the planning documents on the Planning Commission’s website, which provide context and further information:
Draft Inner Suburbs Area Plan details the planning principles used for future land use and development, including precinct maps.
Inner Suburbs Needs Assessment details the key issues for consideration, informed by the community feedback and background investigations undertaken during Stage One.
Draft Discussion Paper – Review of the NT Planning Scheme proposes new criteria for development and design standards in the Territory.
Mr Nairn said the additional draft Discussion Paper is a direct result of community and industry feedback.
“We heard loud and clear that of particular concern is the scale and design of residential developments. To this end, the Discussion Paper proposes new criteria for development standards in the Territory and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
“This draft Area Plan helps to put us ahead of the game. Through the studies we have undertaken, we now understand the potential areas for future transport corridors, higher density, growth around activity centres and improved green spaces. It is vital that we get our future land use planning right. It provides certainty and confidence for all,” Mr Nairn said.
There are two further opportunities to provide feedback –from now until mid-December on the draft Area Plan, and in early 2016 when the revised area plan is exhibited as a proposed Planning Scheme Amendment within the Northern Territory Planning Scheme.
To view the Inner Suburbs Area Plan and supporting documents, go to: www.planningcommission.nt.gov.au/disap
Media contact: Wendy Levy (Planning Commission) on 08-8924 7942 (bh), 0416 245 615 (ah)