Litchfield residents’ keen interest in planning for community needs during the next 40 to 50 years has been demonstrated by their engagement with the region’s Subregional Land Use Plan.

Mr Gary Nairn, Chairman of the NT Planning Commission, said, “Engagement from the community in developing the plan was encouraging, with a total of over 1000 people attending stalls at shopping centres, local markets and community briefings, and more than 200 submissions received.”

“Residents and businesses showed a keen interest in the plan during both stages of consultation. People are passionate about their homes and lifestyle and this was reflected in the way they took time to stop and talk with us, to attend briefings and provide considered submissions,” he said.

The plan looked to the needs of the community over the next 40 to 50 years. It sought to balance population growth and protecting the established rural lifestyle by focusing development to rural activity centres and well planned urban areas, and leaving the rest of the rural area alone.

Development in the rural activity centres would have town water and sewerage, and town water extending out to rural residential transition areas.

Mr Nairn said, “Weddell is still on the plan and will accommodate a majority of the predicted growth in an urban setting. Noonamah and surrounding areas will provide some urban development and a transition of lot sizes to the rural area.

“The multiple stages of consultation provided the opportunity to hear the issues most relevant to residents and what should be considered in a draft plan. We reported back on this feedback in Stage 2 and discussed how planning principles and the Land Use Concept Plans for rural activity centres respond to this feedback.”

Mr Nairn thanked everyone who contributed to the development of the Litchfield Subregional Land Use Plan, including those who took the time to provide their feedback. This feedback had led to many changes, additions and refinements to the plan, ensuring it would provide long-term guidance and clarity to future development in Litchfield.

The Litchfield Subregional Land Use Plan has now been presented to the Minister for Lands and Planning, Mr David Tollner, recommending the plan be considered as a proposed amendment to the NT Planning Scheme.  If accepted,  the Minister will exhibit the subregional plan for 28 days, giving the community a further opportunity to comment.

Media – for further information contact  Helen Farquhar 0437 458213