Shellharbour City Council invites the community help shape the future of the City with the development of a new planning document – Local Strategic Planning Statement.

Community feedback will be used to inform our 20-year planning vision and set planning priorities for the City.
 
When developed, the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) LSPS will set out a planning vision and determine how Council manages land now and into the future. It will set out:
 
•    20-year vision for land use in the local area
•    special characteristics which contribute to local identity
•    shared community values to be maintained and enhanced
•    how growth and change will be managed into the future
 
The document is being prepared in line with new requirements introduced in March 2018 by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Regional council's must have their statement in place by July 2020. Visit Planning and Environment to read more about these changes.
 
Shellharbour’s LSPS will be strategically linked to its Community Strategic Plan and reflect the same key areas - Community, Environment, Leadership and Economy.
 
To ensure maximum opportunities for community input, Council will ask for feedback at various stages of the process. To achieve this, Council has developed a community engagement plan that identifies opportunities to share feedback until 2020. 
 
Shellharbour Mayor Councillor Marianne Saliba said Council said the community’s input was necessary to ensure the best outcome for the city.
 
“This document will provide a road map for how to develop into the future, Cr Saliba said.
 
“We have to strategically plan for the city’s growth to maximise potential opportunities, while still maintaining what makes Shellharbour a great place to live.
 
“The LSPS will respond to the unique values and characteristics of Shellharbour City, capturing community aspirations for future land use and the character of our city,” she said.
 
When developed the Local Strategic Planning Statement will provide a clear action plan on how to implement the city’s vision and priorities. The Local Strategic Planning Statement will also provide guidance on:
 
•    Meeting changing needs
•    Managing planning challenges
•    Further develop the local character of Shellharbour now and into the future
 
The LSPS will align with actions in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan, and the priorities identified in the community strategic plan. The LSPS may also identify additional planning documents that need to be developed.
 
The LSPS will shape how Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) evolve over time to meet the community's needs.
 
How to contribute

o    To share your views, visit: Let's Chat - Planning for the Future. Council will provide updates and information via this portal and on our Facebook page.
 
o    For more information about Council’s LEP visit: www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-build/planning-controls-and-guidelines 
 
o    For more information visit the NSW Department of Planning & Environment website: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Environmental-Planning-and-Assessment-Act-updated/Guide-to-the-updated-Environmental-Planning-and-Assessment-Act-1979/Part-3-Strategic-planning 
 
Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.