Community shares their thoughts and ideas on region's future growth

Hundreds of residents have shared their thoughts and opinions on what the future of the Scenic Rim should look like after completing Council’s initial survey for the region’s first Growth Management Strategy.

A total of 348 people had their say in the survey, which was available on Council’s website earlier this year. 

The purpose of the survey was to gain an understanding of the community’s vision and priorities for the future growth of the region, including preferred housing types, residential lot sizes, jobs, infrastructure, facilities and services, to inform the Strategy.

Mayor Greg Christensen said with more people set to call the Scenic Rim home in the future, it was important to outline a number of strategies now to protect the region’s lifestyle for future generations.

"As forecasted by the Shaping SEQ Queensland Regional Plan 2017, population growth in this region is set to increase from over 42,000 residents to more than 62,000 people by 2041," he said.

"To meet this demand, there will need to be more than 7,600 new jobs created, around 10,000 additional dwellings, as well as essential infrastructure, services and facilities throughout the region.

“The Scenic Rim Growth Management Strategy will ensure we have a planning framework to guide and responsibly manage this growth until 2041 and help inform existing strategies and policies such as the Shaping SEQ Regional Plan and Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020.

"With help from our local community through consultation like this survey, Council can maximise the benefits of this growth by ensuring it is well-planned and underpinned by appropriate infrastructure, services and facilities that will last well into the future.

"Council understands there are some residents who do not want to see high levels of housing and employment development in the Scenic Rim, however this growth is part of the State Government's statutory planning framework and Council has to establish the most appropriate location and form in which the future growth will take.”

Cr Christensen thanked those for filling out the survey and said there would be another opportunity for people to have their say. 

"The draft Growth Management Strategy is planned to progress to public consultation in November this year and will offer the community another chance to provide feedback on the proposed strategy," he said.  

More information on the Growth Management Strategy, including the development phases and delivery timelines, can be found on Council's website: www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/gms