FAQs

Local Area Plans (LAP) are developed to provide locally focused planning guidance. LAPs aim to achieve the following:

•  establish a shared vision for the local area;

•  address key local planning issues and capitalise on opportunities;

•  establish an integrated approach to local planning; and

•  guide and manage future development outcomes.

Given its detailed focus, a LAP may form the basis for including alternative planning and development requirements in the local planning scheme.

A Local Area Plan is prepared with the input from many stakeholders. Some of these may include:

• the local and wider community;
• residents, prominent land owners, businesses, community groups, other associations or special interest groups;
• elected representatives and officers of local government; and
• representatives of state government agencies.

Broad outline of the process for developing the South Gracemere Local Area Plan

1. Background Research and Technical Assessments including:
   • Site visit
   • Land use assessment
   • Housing supply and demand assessment
   • Environmental assessment
   • Natural hazards and flooding assessment
   • Traffic and engineering services assessment
   • Preliminary stakeholder engagement
   • Background reporting
2. Develop Vision and Strategic Directions
3. Draft Local Area Plan
   • Prepare Draft Local Area Plan
   • Technical review and feedback
   • Community consultation
4. Final Local Area Plan
   • Review Draft Local Area Plan Feedback
   • Prepare Final Local Area Plan
5. Post Local Area Plan Finalisation
   • Determine the planning scheme amendment options
   • Determine the most suitable process for undertaking planning scheme amendments; and
   • Follow the process for undertaking planning scheme amendments under the Planning Act 2016 and the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules.

Note: The planning scheme amendment process involves its own State Government interest review and a community consultation process.