Background
Council is preparing a new planning scheme, Ipswich Plan 2024, to help us plan for our growing city. Public consultation on the draft Ipswich Plan 2024 (‘the new planning scheme’) occurred in 2023, with it now in its closing stages of finalisation before being adopted by council. You can read more about the new planning scheme here.
In preparing for the implementation of the new planning scheme, a consistency review was completed to see what, if any, key changes may need to be made to council’s local laws to ensure that regulatory functions are not impacted. As an example, our local laws currently refer to zone names that will no longer exist in the new planning scheme, so we must update the local laws with the new zone names.
There were 18 key changes identified in 7 of council’s local laws (we have 14 local laws in total) that have been captured in amending laws. The changes are mainly around definitions, those new zone names mentioned earlier and transitioning a guideline from the planning scheme to the local law. The amending local laws and amending subordinate local laws provide information about what will be omitted or inserted into the current local laws.
- Update definition for ‘land’ and inclusion of definition for ‘residential area’ that includes new zone names.
- Update definitions of ‘caravan park’ and ‘camping ground’ to be called ‘tourist park’ as ‘tourist park’ is the definition used in the draft planning scheme.
- For clarity, amend current local law definition of ‘temporary advertising devices’ to say that it doesn’t include advertising devices prescribed in the Planning Scheme.
- Amend definition of ‘caravan’ – definition currently refers to the planning scheme, but the new planning scheme no longer defines a caravan.
- Remove ‘residential area’ definition as this will now be listed in Local Law 1 (avoids duplication)
- Consolidate licence application information for ‘caravan parks’ and ‘camping grounds’ into one activity called ‘tourist parks'
- Implementation guidelines in the current scheme will not be included in the draft scheme. Heavy Vehicle Parking Implementation Guideline (No.16) in the current scheme is relied on by public and council officers to understand more fully what is required. An updated guideline for the purposes of the local law going forward will be referenced in the relevant areas for Heavy Vehicle Parking with the updated guideline attached to the local law as an annexure.
- The definition of ‘parking or storing a heavy vehicle’ will be updated to provide clarity about what is covered by planning scheme and what is covered by local law.
- Update definitions for ‘single residential’ and ‘multiple residential’
- Include reference to heavy vehicle parking guideline for clarity
- Remove ‘residential area’ definition as this will now be listed in Local Law 1 (avoids duplication)
- Stable zones no longer exist in the new planning scheme, so wording has been updated from Planning Scheme to Superseded Planning Scheme.
- Remove ‘residential area’ definition as this will now be listed in Local Law 1 (avoids duplication)
- Update definition of ‘establishment or occupation of a temporary home’ to align with definitions and uses in the new planning scheme.
You can read the Explanatory Notes to see further detail about the changes.
The amending laws need to be read in conjunction with the current laws to understand more fully what is being amended in the current law. See table below.
At its meeting on 25 July 2024, council resolved to commence the local law-making process and we are now seeking your feedback during the public consultation period of 9 August to 30 August 2024.
Following the public consultation period and consideration of feedback, the local law-making process continues (see Timeline) with a final report to council later in the year.
Read the following before you share your feedback
- The background (above)
- The FAQ’s (right hand side)
- The Explanatory Notes (see document library)
- The seven amending laws in conjunction with the current laws mentioned in the background section. (During the consultation period a copy of the proposed laws will be available for viewing at Ipswich City Council, 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich (a copy can be purchased if required).
- Public Consultation Notice to understand how to make your submissions (see document library). Please note that all submissions must be properly made as prescribed in the Public Consultation Notice.
Submitting Your Feedback
If you’d like to share your feedback on the proposed amendments, you can:
- Complete the online submission form (below)
- Download a printable submission form (document library) and either
- Scan and email to council@ipswich.qld.gov.au or
- Deliver in person to:
Ipswich City Council
1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
- Written submissions in support of or objecting to the amendments will be considered
- Make sure to include:
- The grounds of your submission (whether you support or object to the amending local laws and amending subordinate local laws)
- The facts and circumstances supporting your position
Consultation closed on 30 August 2024.
