draft regions for growth planning nsw

What it means for you

Draft Regions for Growth Planning

NSW

2 Draft Regions for Growth Planning

1. Introduction 4

2. Draft Regions for Growth Planning 5

3. Regional Growth Plans 6

4. Consultation 6

5. Metropolitan Sydney 7

6. Central Coast 8

7. Hunter 9

8. Illawarra 10

9. North Coast 11

10. South East & Tablelands 12

11. New England-North West 13

12. Central West & Orana 14

13. Murray-Murrumbidgee 15

14. The Far West 16

15. Contact Information 17

16. Regional Offices 18

Contents

COPYRIGHT © 2014

DISCLAIMER This document is correct at the time of printing. The State of NSW, its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance or upon the whole or any part of this document.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE In keeping with the NSW Government’s commitment to encourage the availability of information, you are welcome to reproduce the material that appears in NSW Statewide Profile 2014 for personal, in-house or non-commercial use without formal permission or charge. All other rights are reserved.

If you wish to reproduce, alter, store or transmit material appearing this document for any other purpose, request for formal permission should be directed to Planning & Environment, GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001.

Draft Regions for Growth Planning 3

The NSW Government is planning for the future of NSW. We want NSW to be the best place to live and invest in Australia. By 2031, the population of NSW will increase by two million people to reach 9.2 million. We need to support this growth in a sustainable way, and increase the number of homes and jobs available.

Regional growth planning will help us to plan for our future, giving us opportunities to build better housing, jobs and infrastructure for safe and liveable communities, healthy and resilient environments. The Statewide Profile provides an overview of the factors shaping growth and change in communities throughout NSW. It examines the data, trends and challenges that have and will continue to shape our current patterns of settlement in the state’s regions, cities and towns. It also examines the challenges and opportunities facing different parts of the state and recognises how areas with a common range of assets and aspirations can be supported through a new approach to regional planning.

The Department of Planning & Environment has undertaken analysis of this information to identify the most appropriate groupings of councils to form the basis of regions for Regional Growth Plans. These new Regional Growth Plans will provide the high level vision, objectives and policies for each region of the State. They will deliver improvements over the current system of Regional Strategies and Strategic Regional Land Use Plans by providing a complete coverage of the State and setting a course for improved economic prosperity in line with the principles of sustainable development.

1 INTRODUCTION


The NSW Government has released new draft regions for growth planning in NSW. Taking a fresh look at regions for growth planning allows us to consider how to best support growth and change across NSW, and deliver new Regional Growth Plans in the most efficient way.

The development of these regions is based on analysis of evidence relevant to strategic planning.This includes:

■ spatial patterns of population growth and migration

■ relationships between major regional centres and neighbouring communities

■ the cross-border influence of adjacent regions in other states and territories

■ shared economic, social and environmental opportunities and challenges

■ current and long-standing working relationships between neighbouring local government areas, and

■ information and evidence from the Independent Local Government Review Panel.

As a result of this analysis, the Department proposes to proceed with 10 Regional Growth Plan regions across NSW.

2 DRAFT REGIONS FOR GROWTH PLANNING

North Coast

The Far West

Murray – Murrumbidgee Illawarra

Metropolitan Sydney

Central Coast

South East & TablelandsRegional Growth Plan regionsLocal Government areas

Hunter

New England – North West

Central West & Orana

Proposed Regional Growth Plan regions


Regional Growth Plans will help to plan for sustainable growth and change within regions across NSW. They will be critical in helping regions plan for growth. This includes planning for a range of housing and jobs for our changing population, and the infrastructure needed to support this. Local government will be central to the development and delivery of Regional Growth Plans. The community will also play an important role in informing the development new Regional Growth Plans, and will be closely consulted throughout the process.

3

4

REGIONAL GROWTH PLANS

CONSULTATION

The Department of Planning & Environment is consulting with local councils across New South Wales on the draft regions for growth planning. Partnering with local government is vital to effectively plan for our towns, cities and regions. We have considered a number of different factors in establishing these regional groupings, particularly the similarities or differences between neighbouring council areas. Our regional teams will continue to work closely with the same councils they have always worked with. It is important to hear the views of local government about our proposed regions which would form the basis for future Regional Growth Plans. We will be holding a series of consultation activities in the coming months and encourage all councils to share feedback with the Regional General Manager for Planning & Environment.The next section of this document contains a brief look at the characteristics of each region. In some regions work on Regional Growth Plans has already started, while consultation on a number of others is planned for this year.


Some questions you may like to think about:

1. How well do you think your community fits within the proposed regional grouping?

2. Do you think we have the right number and division of regions?

3. Do these regions strike the right balance between the need for big picture planning for the region and the specific local needs of communities?

4. Do you think this new approach to Regional Growth Plans will encourage communities to become more involved in regional planning?

5. What opportunities or challenges do you think these new regional groupings may provide?

The Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney to 2031 will be the Regional Growth Plan guiding Sydney’s growth to support a stronger global city and more liveable local neighbourhoods.Metropolitan Sydney will continue to accommodate the largest proportion of the State’s population and economic growth. Sydney is the state’s capital city, with 41 local government areas that are connected by urbanisation and bordered by the sandstone curtain to the north, west and south.

The fortunes of Sydney shape the fortunes of New South Wales, and therefore, strategic planning for Sydney has been one of the highest priorities for the NSW Government. Western Sydney in particular will experience significant population growth and change, and this will need to be matched with significant economic and employment growth and supported with investment in infrastructure.

5 METROPOLITAN SYDNEY

Local Government AreasAshfield, Auburn, Bankstown, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Botany Bay, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Hurstville, Kogarah, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Leichhardt, Liverpool, Manly, Marrickville, Mosman, North Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith, Pittwater, Randwick, Rockdale, Ryde, Strathfield, Sutherland, Sydney, The Hills, Warringah, Waverley, Willoughby, Woollahra, Wollondilly.

4.29mTotal population 2011

5.86mTotal population 2031

1.93mEmployment in 2011

Population Employment

64% 15-64 3.76m

19% Under 15

1.11m

17% 65 or older

989,60019+17+64JPopulation in 2031 5.86m


We’re developing a new Regional Growth Plan for the Central Coast region which will facilitate and deliver the growth needed on the Central Coast over the next 20 years. The plan will integrate planning for housing and employment with planning for transport and infrastructure.The Central Coast is a high priority region and is expected to experience relatively high levels of population growth, as well as a substantial increase in the number of older people. The Central Coast has pockets of economic growth as well as pockets of higher unemployment and lower workforce participation. This region has valuable natural areas and areas subject to coastal and other natural hazards, which need to be planned for and managed as a high priority.

Gosford is the regional city for the Central Coast and will continue to be a focus for investment in infrastructure and services. The region will remain with its existing boundaries that define it by a combination of an urbanised coastline, a rugged sandstone escarpment, coastal waterways and connections to Sydney in the south and the Hunter region to the north.This regional planning process will review and build on the plans contained within the 2008 Central Coast Regional Strategy, and set an agreed government and community vision for the region. Once finalised, the Regional Growth Plan will replace the Regional Strategy.

CENTRAL COAST6

Local Government AreasGosford, Wyong

322,650Total population 2011


131,011Employment in 2011


56% 15-64

216,100

18% Under 15 70,350

26% 65 or older

100,45018+26+56+JPopulation in 2031 386,900


Work is underway on the Lower Hunter Regional Growth Plan, following public consultation on a discussion paper in 2013. Separate to this, the Upper Hunter is covered by a Strategic Regional Land Use Plan which was finalised in 2012. These two plans will continue to provide strategic direction for the Hunter Region over the next few years. In the longer-term, the proposed regional boundaries for the Hunter will see the Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter combined under one Regional Growth Plan. The Hunter Region has infrastructure assets that can help drive future growth as well as important natural resources, environmental assets that need protection and a range of natural hazards, particularly coastal hazards.

The Lower Hunter is expected to see substantial population growth and change, with a significantly ageing population and considerable economic growth. Work has already commenced in the Region, with research and analysis underway and community consultation guiding the next steps in preparing draft Regional Growth Plans.Future housing and jobs will be focused in Newcastle with other major centres including Maitland and Cessnock having close economic and geographical connections to Newcastle.

HUNTER7

Local Government AreasCessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter





60% 15-64

437,800

18% Under 15 133,450

22% 65 or older

163,60018+22+60JPopulation in 2031 734,850


The Illawarra is expected to see substantial population growth and change, with a significantly older population and significant economic growth and change. The major regional city, Wollongong has close connections with Sydney to the north. The Region has infrastructure assets that can help drive future growth as well as important natural resources, environmental assets that need protection and a range of natural hazards, particularly coastal hazards.

The review of the regional boundaries now sees the Shoalhaven included as part of the Illawarra Regional Growth Plan. This decision acknowledges the Shoalhaven’s strong housing, economic and environmental connections with the Illawarra and provides more opportunities for regional planning and infrastructure connectivity. It also recognises the metropolitan development pressures existing in

Nowra-Bomaderry, and the significant environmental connections existing between the four local government areas including the significant proportion of Sydney’s drinking water catchments that lie within the broader region.

Work has already commenced in the Region, with research and analysis underway and community consultation guiding the next steps in preparing the draft Illawarra Regional Growth Plan to be exhibited for public comment. The draft Regional Growth Plan will create a strategic vision and set the foundations for balanced growth in the Illawarra, guiding future planning and investment decisions covering housing, jobs, transport, infrastructure and the environment.

ILLAWARRA8

Local Government AreasShoalhaven, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama.





58% 15-64

259,550

17% Under 15 77,25017+25+58+JPopulation

in 2031 450,300 25%

65 or older 113,500


The proposed North Coast Region will incorporate areas in the Far North Coast and Mid North Coast as well as Gloucester. The major regional city centres include Tweed Heads, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Taree. Traditionally, Great Lakes and Gloucester have enjoyed close ties with the Hunter Region. Over time, their connections with Taree and other nearby areas of the North Coast have grown. More recently, strategic planning for Great Lakes has been included with the Region’s coastal councils. The far north of this region, around Tweed Heads and Byron Bay, is influenced by growth in South East Queensland.The North Coast Region will also be a high priority region for regional growth planning with pockets of

growth as well as pockets of higher unemployment and lower workforce participation. The North Coast has valuable natural areas and areas subject to coastal and other natural hazards, which need to be planned for, protected and managed as a high priority. A North Coast Regional Growth Plan will facilitate and deliver the growth needed on the North Coast and will integrate planning for housing and employment with planning for transport and infrastructure. This process will review and build on the plans contained within the previous strategies and set an agreed government and community vision for the Region. Once finalised, the Regional Growth Plan will replace the regional strategy.

NORTH COAST9

Local Government AreasBallina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Gloucester, Great Lakes, Greater Taree, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tweed.





53% 15-64

354,100

17% Under 15 112,600

30% 65 or older

202,95017+30+53JPopulation in 2031 669,650


The South East and Tablelands Region extends from the Southern Highlands and tablelands of NSW down to the Victorian border, surrounding the ACT and incorporating the South Coast to the east and the Snowy Mountains to the south. The area has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in NSW with unspoilt beaches interspersed with rugged headlands, containing more than half of the State’s coastal lakes and lagoons. It is characterised by classic rural countryside, an array of regional centres and historic towns and villages. It also includes land in major drinking water catchment areas.

The Region is significantly influenced by growth in Canberra and the ACT. Some of the major centres and towns include Bowral, Goulburn, Queanbeyan, Young, Cooma and Bega. The South East and Tablelands Region is expected to continue to experience relatively high levels of population growth. Economic growth occurring within the region is not entirely uniform and there are opportunities to increase local employment and improve workforce participation. A new Regional Growth Plan for the South East and Tablelands will guide future planning and investment decisions in relation to housing, jobs, transport, infrastructure and the environment.

SOUTH EAST & TABLELANDS10

Local Government AreasBega Valley, Bombala, Boorowa, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Harden, Palerang, Queanbeyan, Snowy River, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Yass Valley, Young.





56% 15-64

173,000


in 2031 310,400 27%

65 or older 85,100


The New England-North West Region is an environmentally and culturally rich and diverse area in the central north of New South Wales. The Region has a diverse range of climates and landscapes and includes Australia’s largest highland area. The majority of the Region is located in the Murray-Darling Basin and is defined by the landscape of the New England table. The main west-flowing river systems are the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre rivers. The Region also contains the upper reaches of many coastal river systems, including the Clarence, Macleay and Manning rivers. New England-North West consists of two regional city centres, Armidale and Tamworth where future jobs and housing will be focused. These centres have strong population growth, with communities around them plus a number of important towns covering 13 local government areas.

The New England-North West Region is expected to experience modest population and economic growth, as well as economic change and investment in infrastructure. The NSW Government has prepared a Strategic Regional Land Use Plan to manage the growth of the coal and coal seam gas industry, to balance the needs of this industry with other industries such as agriculture and to help encourage more sustainable growth and development. As these plans are already in place, the New England-North West Region is a lower priority area for a new Regional Growth Plan.

NEW ENGLAND – NORTH WEST11

Local Government AreasArmidale Dumaresq, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Guyra, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Uralla, Walcha.





56% 15-64

111,300


in 2031 197,100 25%

65 or older 48,550


The Central West & Orana Region includes 20 local government areas. Major centres include Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo. The Macquarie, Castlereagh, Cudgegong, Bogan and Lachlan rivers form the key catchments and the Region sustains an important agricultural industry with a range of significant environments.The area has a range of valuable assets including a diverse agricultural sector, energy and mineral resources and health and educational infrastructure. There is a growing understanding of the need to protect and manage important natural resources for future generations in the face of development pressure and demographic change. Pressure associated with infrastructure and housing provision exists in higher growth centres. Central West & Orana’s population is projected to grow to around 299,550 people by 2031, with a significant increase in the percentage of people aged over 65 years.

This means we need to plan for around 22,700 additional people. This growth will place demand on the Region’s housing, employment, transport, infrastructure and environment.The Regional Growth Plan will identify areas suitable for housing and employment expansion in the Region. However, not all parts of the Region are projected to experience growth equally and as such the plan will identify strategies to ensure population sustainability and to manage population decline in some areas.Key economic and employment generators in the Region will be identified, with new opportunities for expansion and diversification. The plan will also identify infrastructure issues and plan to provide additional or upgraded infrastructure where required.

CENTRAL WEST & ORANA12

Local Government AreasBathurst, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Coonamble, Cowra, Dubbo, Forbes, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid Western, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Warren, Warrumbungle, Weddin, Wellington.





57% 15-64

169,800


in 2031 299,550 24%

65 or older 72,450


The Murray-Murrumbidgee Region covers 26 Local Government Areas spanning approximately 106,500 square kilometres. The major regional city centres in the Murray-Murrumbidgee are Albury and Wagga Wagga. Many towns in this region have important connections with communities along the Victorian side of the Murray River. The Region is attractive for many people, given its location along two of Australia’s most iconic inland rivers. The Region is also under pressure from a range of influences such as a changing climate, structural change in water use and agricultural production and an ageing population. There is a growing understanding of the need to protect and manage important natural

resources for future generations in the face of development pressure and demographic change. Despite the regional pressures and challenges, a number of future opportunities exist, primarily in the tourism industry, associated with the Region’s attractive social, economic and environmental values and assets.A new Regional Growth Plan for the Murray-Murrumbidgee Region will integrate planning for housing and employment with planning for transport and infrastructure. This process will review and build on the plans contained within the 2009 Murray Regional Strategy, and set the vision for how the region will grow over the next 20 years.

MURRAY-MURRUMBIDGEE13

Local Government AreasAlbury, Berrigan, Bland, Carrathool, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Corowa, Conargo, Deniliquin, Greater Hume, Griffith, Gundagai, Hay, Jerilderie, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Temora, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Urana, Wagga Wagga, Wakool.





56% 15-64

155,000


in 2031 274,800 26%

65 or older 71,000


The Far West covers a vast area and is the most sparsely populated region in New South Wales. The Region is defined by the Queensland and South Australian borders to the north and west and Victoria to the south. The major centre is Broken Hill and there are many smaller and isolated communities. The Region has a few pockets of growth in Aboriginal communities, as well as pockets of stable or declining population.

The Region has significant economic, environmental and social challenges due to its expanse and isolation which can be managed effectively through a new Regional Growth Plan. Although the region has key infrastructure in place, strengthening regional capacity to manage resources and expand into new industries such as renewable energy and communication technology will enable the region to move forward.

THE FAR WEST14

Local Government AreasBalranald, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Unincorporated Far West, Walgett, Wentworth.





54% 15-64 23,300

19% Under 15

8,20019+27+54+JPopulation in 2031 43,050 27%

65 or older 11,550


CONTACT DETAILS

[email protected]

PostNSW Planning & Environment GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001

Telephone 02 9228 6111

Connect on social mediaFacebook /NSWPlanningTwitter @NSWPlanning

15


REGIONAL OFFICES16Sydney MetropolitanHalvard DalheimDirector, State StrategyGPO Box 39, Sydney 200102 9228 [email protected]

Central CoastDavid RowlandGeneral Manager, Hunter & Central Coast RegionLevel 3, 107 Mann StreetPO Box 1148, Gosford NSW 225002 4348 [email protected]

HunterDavid RowlandGeneral Manager, Hunter & Central Coast RegionLevel 2, 26 Honeysuckle DrivePO Box 1226, Newcastle NSW 230002 4904 [email protected]

Illawarra Brett WhitworthGeneral Manager, Southern RegionPO Box 5475, Wollongong NSW 252002 4224 [email protected]

North CoastSteve MurrayGeneral Manager, Northern RegionLocked Bag 9022, Grafton NSW 246002 6641 [email protected]

David RowlandGeneral Manager, Hunter & Central Coast RegionLevel 2, 26 Honeysuckle DrivePO Box 1226, Newcastle NSW 230002 4904 [email protected]

South East & TablelandsBrett WhitworthGeneral Manager, Southern RegionPO Box 5475, Wollongong NSW 252002 6229 [email protected]

New England – North WestSteve MurrayGeneral Manager, Northern RegionPO Box 550, Tamworth NSW 234002 6701 [email protected]

Central West & OranaAshley AlburyGeneral Manager, Western RegionPO Box 58, Dubbo NSW 283002 6841 [email protected]

Murray – MurrumbidgeeAshley AlburyGeneral Manager, Western RegionPO Box 58, Dubbo NSW 283002 6841 [email protected]

Brett WhitworthGeneral Manager, Southern RegionPO Box 5475, Wollongong NSW 252002 6229 [email protected]

Far WestAshley AlburyGeneral Manager, Western RegionPO Box 58, Dubbo NSW 283002 6841 [email protected]


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