The NT Planning Commission has recently completed Stage Two of its stakeholder engagement on the draft Katherine East Area Plan.

The draft area plan was presented to the community during Stage Two, where feedback was sought on a land use concept for Katherine East, which balanced land capability with future development structured around two neighbourhoods.

NT Planning Commission Chairman, Dr David Ritchie, thanked the Katherine community for their interest and involvement in the Katherine East Area Plan project.

“Stakeholder contributions have been invaluable to the Planning Commission in refining the Draft Area Plan,” said Dr Ritchie.

“The NT Planning Commission is releasing the Stage Two Consultation Report, which summarises the consultation process, and the key themes identified by the community, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholder groups.”

Key themes raised throughout Stage Two of consultation include:

• Supporting the development of a Neighbourhood Centre in the first neighbourhood.
• Continued community support for the relocation of health services to the second neighbourhood.
• Identifying public open spaces to support a viable pedestrian network into the future.
• Support for the proposed future road network.
• Increasing aged care facilities.
• Support for smaller residential lots in close proximity to the Neighbourhood Centre, with more traditional larger lots in the outer areas of the future subdivision.

The next step is for the Planning Commission to recommend the Draft Katherine East Area Plan to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics as a proposed Planning Scheme Amendment.

“Should the Minister choose to consider the Draft Katherine East Area Plan as an amendment of the Planning Scheme, a minimum 28-day public exhibition period will occur, with further submissions invited from stakeholders.” said Dr Ritchie.

The Katherine East Area Plan Stage Two consultation report is now available on the NT Planning Commission website at planningcommission.nt.gov.au.

ENDS

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