Gunnedah residents have been asked to take time to look at the document that will define the town’s growth over the next 20 years.
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The public exhibition period for the draft Gunnedah Urban Land Use Strategy has been extended until August 28, with council staff exhibiting it in Conadilly Street yesterday.
An introduction to the strategy says Gunnedah Shire Council needed to be in the driver’s seat as the shire changed.
“... in recent times, there have been new development initiatives including some which are considered potential ‘game changers’ which council wants to be in a position to activate where there is a community benefit,” the introduction states.
“These would result in future planning proposals to rezone certain land in and around the town.
“Some of these developments include a proposed second rail overpass to improve Gunnedah’s accessibility limits for heavy mass vehicles, a realigned state and regional road network through the town, and potential major business interests potentially stemming from large coal mining developments and continuing growth trends.
“These ‘game changers’ may have significant implications for how Gunnedah grows over the next decade.”
The strategy notes Gunnedah has had “exceptional” residential development growth over the past six years, and a large part of the land zoned as residential now had subdivision approval.
A council release said the draft strategy provided support for the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan 2012 when and if it was needed.
The release said the strategy proposed future extensions to commercial, industrial and residential zones.
Council staff had the strategy on show in Conadilly Street yesterday and were on hand to answer people’s questions.
The strategy is on display at council’s administration office in Elgin Street and at Gunnedah Library between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
It is also on Gunnedah Shire Council’s website www.infogunnedah.com.au
Submissions close at 4pm on Friday, August 28.
What's in the strategy?
Key residential issues:
* According to RealEstate.com, the median house price in Gunnedah is $375,000, lower than Narrabri ($380,000) and higher than Tamworth ($310,000) and Boggabri ($157,500).
* 801 approved residential lots remain undeveloped, meaning about 80 per cent of the masterplan area is still available for new houses.
* There is a “marked under-supply” of independent living units for the aged, with a waiting list of 86 people.
Key industrial issues:
* About 60 per cent of Gunnedah’s 412 hectare industrial zoning is undeveloped or under-developed.
* There is a “severe” lack of water and sewer infrastructure.
