Budget aims to rationalise planning processes

Streamlined development application processes, a new regional planning scheme and the revitalisation of the CBD are the hallmarks of the 2011/12 Budget allocation for Planning and Development Services.

Planning and Development Services portfolio leader Cr Peter Marks said one of the key actions for the next financial year would be the completion and implementation of the new regional planning scheme in early 2012.

"The new scheme will enable land use planning and development to be managed from a regional perspective for the first time, while still taking into account the special character of each and every one of the region's communities," he said.

"I am very proud of our planning staff and their work which has been one of the biggest projects council has undertaken since amalgamation and I am thrilled about the community's response to the project and their willingness to work with council."

Cr Marks said a second key project would be the finalisation and implementation of the Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP), which is a major component of the new regional planning scheme.

"This budget includes an innovative and cutting-edge computer 3D-model of the Toowoomba urban area, which will help council make rational decisions on new urban developments, especially new residential proposals in existing urban areas," he said.

"My sincere thanks go to all of the reference groups and the development industry for their forthright and constructive input into the development of the PIP."

Funding has been allocated to continue work on the City Centre Master Plan (CCMP), including $2 million from the capital works program towards the upgrade of Clifford Street between Margaret and Russell Streets as part of the outer circulating road project.

"The City Centre Master Plan provides innovative and measured strategies to enhance our CBD and to provide for exciting residential, commercial and employment opportunities," he said.

"The public has worked with council to produce the City Centre Master Plan and this year they will begin to see action to start making it happen.

"There is also funding for the planning of transport connections around the railway precinct on Russell Street, with the aim of improving the access and amenity of the area, which is a major catalytic project of the City Centre Master Plan."

Cr Marks said significant funding would go towards a number of projects to progress the CCMP, including a Streetscape and Landscape Strategy, a Laneway Strategy, a Public Art Strategy, an Open Space Master Plan, a Heritage Strategy and a Car Parking Strategy.

"There is specific funding for the implementation of the City Centre Master Plan, as council wants to see innovative, high-quality and inspiring works and structures that will enable our CBD to flourish," he said.

Cr Marks said funding was allocated to continue planning scheme administration improvements aimed at streamlining application processes.

"Over the past year we have seen measures introduced such as 'FastTrack', which allows for lower fees and for many types of low-rise development applications to be processed in just five business days," he said.

"This revised application process will free up council's planners to focus on the more complex applications," Cr Marks said.

The overall outcome of the new scheme is rationalisation of regulation across the entire region, making it less bureaucratic, easier for business and reducing regulatory costs.