Help protect the valued rural lifestyle with the second phase of consultation for the Coolalinga/Freds Pass Rural Activity Centre now open for comment.

The draft Area Plan and associated Planning Principles were released on 25 September, and were developed in response to community feedback on the discussion paper from the first phase of planning.

Chairman of the NT Planning Commission, David Ritchie, said the draft Area Plan provides a long-term agenda for the future of the area and includes four precincts.

 “Once complete, the Area Plan will help maintain the rural area by ensuring the provision of adequate services to support growth, while helping to protect the rural area from ad hoc development in the future.

The draft Area Plan has been divided into four precincts for comment,” he said.

The second stage of area planning for Coolalinga/Freds Pass will follow a similar path to a recent consultation by the Commission in Howard Springs, with the sharing of information and ideas about how the plan could be improved.

The third and final stage of planning will involve recommending a final Area Plan to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics for formal exhibition as a Planning Scheme Amendment.

 Dr Ritchie said the public is also invited to attend pop-up stalls, in Coolalinga and Freds Pass in coming weeks.

 “Check the website to find out when our pop-up stalls are near you and come along with any questions or comments,” Dr Ritchie said.

 Dr Ritchie added the Commission would also be engaging with a community advisory group – including residents and Councillors from the Litchfield Council area - established by Litchfield Council specifically for the area plan.

 “We want the Area Plan to reflect the views of the rural community and are asking for feedback from a wide range of stakeholders,” he said.

 The draft Area Plan and associated Planning Principles, as well as dates and times for information stalls, are all available on the Commission’s website www.planningcommission.nt.gov.au

 Submissions can be made online or by mail from now until Wednesday 1 November 2017.

Media - for further information contact 08 8946 5135