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Guiding growth in the Mid North

Media Release | 14 October 2008

Mid North residents are being invited to have a say about the future development of their region.

Minister for Urban Development and Planning Paul Holloway's comments coincided with the publication yesterdayday of a draft Mid North Regional Land Use Framework.

'The draft framework made available for public feedback follows a detailed collaborative process involving eight local councils working with the State Government,' Mr Holloway says.

The proposed framework broadly identifies where future housing, population and industry growth is best located - and not located - across the Mid North region, which stretches from south of Clare up to the Flinders Ranges, and includes Port Pirie.

"The draft framework identifies the roles and functions different parts of the region can play, including the various townships, and tackles issues such as the interface between industry, residential areas, and valuable environmental assets," Mr Holloway says.

"The proposed framework also addresses issues affecting the region such as increased tourism, demands for industrial growth, changes in town populations, and the future of primary industries, such as mining.

"It also looks at the requirements for commercial areas and housing for workers and families, and where these might best be located within the region."

The councils covered by the Mid North Regional Land Use Framework are:

Clare and Gilbert Valleys; Northern Areas; Port Pirie; Peterborough; Mount Remarkable; Orroroo Carrieton; Flinders Ranges and Goyder.

The Mid North and Southern Flinders Regional Development Boards, the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board and other State agencies have also been involved in the development of the draft framework.

The proposed Framework contains four broad maps under the headings 'Environmental and Cultural Assets', 'Economic Development', 'Population and Settlements' and 'Integrated Vision', as well as 17 detailed objectives under each of those headings.

The key themes of the draft Mid North Regional Land Use Framework are:

  • Industrial growth - with a focus on the corridor from Port Pirie to Peterborough;
  • Managing growth to protect natural and industry assets - south of Burra and Clare;
  • Strengthening townships;
  • Expanding active nature-based tourism - building on the Laura to Quorn corridor; and
  • Retaining built heritage and links with tourism along the Clare/Burra - Hawker corridors.

"Once finalised, this regional framework will be adopted as part of the State Government's Planning Strategy for South Australia," Mr Holloway says.

"This gives the framework statutory effect and will provide formal direction to local councils and the private sector."

In particular, the Framework will guide the updating of local Development Plans covering the region.

These Development Plans detail local zoning and other land use policies and are used to assess the appropriateness of all development applications within South Australia.

Development Plans, and proposed amendments to Development Plans, must be consistent with the Planning Strategy for South Australia.

The public consultation period runs for two months until 12 December 2008.

A copy of the document can be found online at the Planning SA website at: www.planning.sa.gov.au/go/mn-framework

Hard copies are available from each of the local councils in the regions, and copies are also available on CD-ROM.

Two informal community information sessions will also be held during the consultation period.

Details of these informal community meetings will be posted on the Planning SA website and available through local councils in the Mid North as well as local media.