The Northern Territory Planning Commission is inviting the Howard Springs community to comment on options for its Rural Activity Centre Area Plan. 

Chairman of the Planning Commission Brendan Dowd said the Commission was pleased with the response from Howard Springs residents during Stage 1 of the consultation last November and hoped this momentum would be maintained during Stage 2 of the consultation.

The Commission has developed options and draft planning principles for the Area Plan after feedback from the community in late 2016 and involvement of Litchfield Council and a community advisory group.

“The Planning Commission values the input from all members of the community,” said Mr Dowd.

The Howard Springs Community Advisory Group helped pull together all the feedback from Stage 1 and prepare three options: one low growth and two moderate.

“We now want to test which option the community prefers and what further improvements can be made before providing the Minister with a draft plan for her to consider exhibiting as a proposed Planning Scheme amendment.

“The Planning Commission is seeking to identify a preferred community option to guide future land use, infrastructure and transport planning,” Mr Dowd said.

Anyone interested in becoming involved is invited to attend pop-up stalls at the Howard Springs Shopping Centre and community open days at Whitewood Hall. Further details are available online at www.planningcommission.nt.gov.au. The closing date for submissions is 31 March 2017.

Media contact for further information: 0437 458213