Snowy Monaro Local Strategic Planning Statement

Snowy Monaro Regional Council is currently undertaking a strategic planning framework reform to ensure the local planning controls and decisions are in line with community and business expectations. As part of this, the Snowy Monaro Regional Council publically exhibited a Planning and Land Use Discussion Paper from 11 February to 18 April 2019. During this time the Strategic Planning team embarked on a consultation roadshow around the region holding community drop-in sessions in 11 locations. In addition to these meetings, workshops were had with community groups, schools and other key stakeholders. In this period we received a significant response including:

• Over 40 formal submissions,
• Over 90 completed surveys,
• The Strategic Planning team spoke to over 300 people face to face,
• 29 pins were placed on the interactive map,
• Over 2000 individual comments were received, and

The Strategic Planning team would like the thank the Snowy Monaro community for their input and the constructive and considered nature they have approached this process with.

Following this Snowy Monaro Regional Council has prepared a draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) which the Council is seeking feedback on. The LSPS is designed to act as an overarching strategic planning document that will link the South East and Tablelands Regional Plan to local planning documents such as the Local Planning Strategies, Local Environmental Plans and Development Controls Plans. This is an opportunity to set a vision and direction for the next 20 years. This will also be an opportunity for Council and the community to identify priorities for the region. This vision and priorities will feedback to the NSW Government to inform their decision-making processes for the region.

The draft Local Strategic Planning Statement identifies a vision for the next 20 year and 12 core planning priorities for the region to achieve the vision:

Vision Statement

The Snowy Monaro will remain a region primarily based on agriculture, forestry and tourism while embracing emerging industries such as renewable energy production. It will maintain and restore its pristine natural biodiversity and landscape. It will enhance its primary production lands by improving productivity and profiting from local strengths. The region will be better connected than ever before linking unique alpine and Monaro communities nationally and globally.

The Snowy Monaro Region will capitalise on local renewable energy projects including Snowy 2.0 to cement its place as a thriving centre for renewable energy generation. The region will benefit from the growth of industry, tourism, agriculture and forestry.

Snowy Monaro will continue to offer an unmatched regional lifestyle in a picturesque landscape.

• Attract and provide for increased tourism year-round in the region
• Facilitate stronger national and global links for our local communities
• Embrace agricultural innovation and diversification in a changing climate
• Capitalise on local renewable energy projects including Snowy 2.0
• Protect and enhance our stunning landscape and biodiversity

Planning Priorities

The draft local strategic planning statement outlines how these planning priorities can be implemented at the local level. It does this by considering their impact on towns, villages and the rural lands. The draft document outlines key actions for Council to undertake to ensure the vision is achieved

The draft LSPS is on public exhibition from 26 February – 19 April. Submissions will be accepted until 6 pm 19 April 2020

Once the consultation period closes, the Council will consider all feedback received. This will lead to the development of a draft Local Strategic Planning Statement, Settlements Strategy and a Rural Land Use Strategy for the Snowy Monaro region. Further consultation will follow on each of these draft strategies.

Kitchen Table Discussion Guide

A Kitchen Table Discussion Guide is a document that gives a framework for family, friends and small groups to have a discussion to gain a deeper understanding of an issue with the opportunity to give feedback.

These discussions are made up of a small group of people who get together to talk. The setting is your choice – it can be informal or part of a formal meeting.

Kitchen Table Discussions are not votes to be tallied. It’s not about the number of people supporting or opposing a certain issue, it's about capturing informed and considered ideas, views and opinions to assist us in identifying priorities for improvements.

Kitchen table discussion guides can be found in the Document Library on this page.

Community Consultation Sessions

As a precautionary measure in response to COVID-19, Snowy Monaro Regional Council has halted its community engagement events.

Online Consultation Via Zoom

The Strategic Planning Team will be running an online community consultation session via Zoom for individuals or small groups who would like the opportunity to speak to a strategic planning staff member about the LSPS. If you are interested please contact our Senior Strategic Land Use Planner at alexanda.adkins@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au

These sessions will be held on 8 and 15 April between 2 pm and 7 pm, the specific time of the session will be worked out with you. Each session will run for approximately 30 min.

What is character?

Character is what makes a neighbourhood distinctive. It is created by a combination of the land, public and private spaces and how they interact to make a distinctive character and identity of an area.

This includes the relationship between buildings, architectural styles, subdivision patterns, activity, geography and vegetation.

Here's a link to documents that help to define local character and placemaking: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Local-character