| Yarrabah residents will benefit from the introduction of a new Town Planning Scheme this week, which will provide for future development in Yarrabah while protecting cultural heritage and natural assets.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad said that the Yarrabah Town Planning Scheme would benefit the development of the local government area.
“I congratulate Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council on reaching this significant milestone. Adoption of this new planning scheme means that the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council has an easy to use plan for their community,” Ms Trad said.
“Importantly it ensures that the leasing of land for development, including housing, is more effective.
“The scheme is a coup for the Yarrabah Council, being the first planning scheme for the local government area. It will empower the Council to make planning decisions about future development and includes maps showing the preferred location for future housing, industry, government facilities and commercial ventures.”
Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said Yarrabah was the largest mainland Aboriginal community in Australia and the Town Planning Scheme was designed to meet the current and future needs of the township.
“This is a process that started many years ago and this kind of planning for future development will ensure the needs of the Yarrabah community will be met,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Yarrabah Town Planning Scheme not only aims to prevent poor development outcomes but it will also protect cultural heritage, the environment while giving certainty to the local economy.”
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Local Government Mark Furner commended the support Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council had shown for the plan.
“As Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, I know my Department has been working closely with Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council on the development of this planning scheme, to make sure we get it right,” Mr Furner said.
“Our Government will continue to support the Council in the implementation of the planning scheme, particularly to build capacity within Council and assist with processing development applications.”
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Ross Andrews said the planning scheme will help good decision-making.
“The scheme establishes a planning framework for council’s decision making and, in conjunction with master planning being undertaken by the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate Aboriginal Corporation, will enable good decisions to be made on future land use in Yarrabah,” Cr Andrews said.
“The planning scheme follows the existing footprint of the community that has developed over time, but takes into consideration more recent information on impacts of climate change on sea level rise, bushfire hazard and the need to provide additional areas for development over the next 10-20 years.”
The Yarrabah Town Planning Scheme came into effect on 16 October 2017.
Media contact:
Deputy Premier’s office – 0429 890 942
Treasurer’s office – 0437 961 831
Minister Furner’s office – 0408 317 992
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