The Planning Commission is inviting residents, business people and interest groups to a community workshop in Howard Springs on 18 November to discuss future land use requirements for the Litchfield Subregional Land Use Plan.

The workshop will provide more detail about future land use requirements by identifying the characteristics and needs of the Litchfield municipality. Discussion will focus on ideas and issues for planning rural activity centres in Berry Springs, Coolalinga, Howard Springs, Humpty Doo and the Pine Forest.

Planning Commission Chairman, Gary Nairn, said that more than 630 people had met with the Commission to provide feedback about the plan since consultations opened in October.

“We have spent a lot of time in the community -- at markets and shops, leaving flyers on the counters of local businesses. We have worked closely with community leaders, local government and industry groups through a series of briefings,” Mr Nairn said.

“We have written to more than 7000 residents and conducted focus groups and phone surveys.

“Residents have raised a variety of issues, with some very strong themes coming through including water and sustainability, sewerage, public transport and, as anticipated, lot sizes.

“People are passionate about where they live and we value their input into the planning process.

“A range of opinions were expressed on residential lot sizes. While we have heard a lot of public comments about retaining lot sizes, many people say they understand the reasoning for developing rural activity centres, including having a variety of housing types and lot sizes and a buffer zone to protect their rural lifestyle.

“Others want to reduce their land holding so that they can retire and stay in the area,” he said.

Developing the Litchfield Subregional Land Use Plan is a three-stage process:

• Stage 1: Oct - Nov – information gathering and analysis, community consultation, submissions received

• Stage 2: Dec 2015 – Feb 2016 - prepare a draft subregional land use plan informed by community feedback and other investigations and hold further consultations

• Stage 3: Mid 2016 – finalise plan and recommend exhibition as a proposed planning scheme amendment, providing a third opportunity for public comment.

The workshop is on Wed 18 Nov at 6pm at Howard Hall, Whitewood Road, Howard Springs.

For more information on the workshop and to register, go to: www.stickytickets.com.au/32103

Media contact: Wendy Levy (Planning Commission) on 08-8924 7942 (bh), 0416 245 615 (ah)