Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment 7 - Business Improvement and Innovation

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Council is proposing an amendment to the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 to support business improvement and innovation. We are currently seeking feedback from community and other stakeholders to inform any changes to the proposed amendment.


What are the changes included in the amendment?

Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 – Business Improvement and Innovation incorporates a broad suite of improvements to and in support of innovation in the areas of tourism, agriculture, emerging technologies, mapping, reduction of red tape to support new or expanding businesses, improving urban amenity, updating outdated references.

A few of the key changes are listed under the relevant themes below. These are explained in greater detail in the information sheets on the right-hand side of the page (or below on a mobile device).

Theme 1 – Promoting Tourism

  • Lowering the levels of assessment for new tourism activities
  • Supporting accommodation for Tourism Workers in Key Tourism Areas
  • Establishment of Ecotourism and Tourism precincts
  • Supporting inclusion of Electric vehicle charging stations

Theme 2 – Nurturing Agribusiness

  • Diversifying income - lowering levels of assessment for various industries located in the rural zone
  • Changes to minimum lot sizes and subdivision by lease
  • Removing quantitative triggers for operational works for earthworks in rural areas

Theme 3 – Red tape reduction and improving clarity

  • Lowering the level of assessment to support new business applications
  • Renovating the Table of Assessment for Building Works
  • Supporting agistment on council owned or managed land
  • Reduced boundary realignment requirements

Theme 4 – Keeping our towns beautiful

  • Incorporating amenity and aesthetics
  • Revision of minimum on-site parking requirements to reduce parking overflow
  • Height restrictions of buildings and structures

Theme 5 – Mapping and administrative changes

  • General review to fix minor spelling and grammar mistakes and to make the document easier to use and understand.
  • Changes to strategic framework mapping, zoning and other overlays that reflect updates to council data, development approvals or proposed land use changes under this amendment or to align with changes to state mapping layers i.e. vegetation mapping, recent subdivisions
  • Updates to versions of standards, legislation or guidelines referenced in the planning scheme which were outdated.


How to view the amendment

You can view the proposed amendment online in our eplan which outlines the proposed changes. This is displayed similar to a tracked change version. Submissions can also be made directly online through this program.

You can also search for your property in the eplan to check if any of the proposed mapping updates will affect your property.

Alternatively, you can view the amendment by reviewing the document library on this page.


How to get involved

The formal public consultation period for the Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 (Business Improvement and Innovation) closed on 28 April 2023.

Over the next couple months council:

  • will consider every submission to the proposed amendment;
  • may make changes to the proposed amendment in response to the properly made submissions;
  • will advise each submitter, in writing, how their submission was considered and, if appropriate, incorporated into the amendment;
  • will publish the results of the public consultation process on this page.


If you haven't made a submission but want to be kept up-to-date, you can:

  • regularly check back on this page
  • subscribe to receive updates about this project through this page (see subscribe link on the side of the page)
  • or register to receive email updates (just send a request to planningscheme@chrc.qld.gov.au).


For enquiries about this consultation, please contact council's Strategic Land Use team (details on the side of the page or bottom of the page on a mobile device).

Private appointments can be arranged by contacting council's Strategic Land Use team on 1300 242 686 or via an email to planningscheme@chrc.qld.gov.au.

Council is proposing an amendment to the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 to support business improvement and innovation. We are currently seeking feedback from community and other stakeholders to inform any changes to the proposed amendment.


What are the changes included in the amendment?

Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 – Business Improvement and Innovation incorporates a broad suite of improvements to and in support of innovation in the areas of tourism, agriculture, emerging technologies, mapping, reduction of red tape to support new or expanding businesses, improving urban amenity, updating outdated references.

A few of the key changes are listed under the relevant themes below. These are explained in greater detail in the information sheets on the right-hand side of the page (or below on a mobile device).

Theme 1 – Promoting Tourism

  • Lowering the levels of assessment for new tourism activities
  • Supporting accommodation for Tourism Workers in Key Tourism Areas
  • Establishment of Ecotourism and Tourism precincts
  • Supporting inclusion of Electric vehicle charging stations

Theme 2 – Nurturing Agribusiness

  • Diversifying income - lowering levels of assessment for various industries located in the rural zone
  • Changes to minimum lot sizes and subdivision by lease
  • Removing quantitative triggers for operational works for earthworks in rural areas

Theme 3 – Red tape reduction and improving clarity

  • Lowering the level of assessment to support new business applications
  • Renovating the Table of Assessment for Building Works
  • Supporting agistment on council owned or managed land
  • Reduced boundary realignment requirements

Theme 4 – Keeping our towns beautiful

  • Incorporating amenity and aesthetics
  • Revision of minimum on-site parking requirements to reduce parking overflow
  • Height restrictions of buildings and structures

Theme 5 – Mapping and administrative changes

  • General review to fix minor spelling and grammar mistakes and to make the document easier to use and understand.
  • Changes to strategic framework mapping, zoning and other overlays that reflect updates to council data, development approvals or proposed land use changes under this amendment or to align with changes to state mapping layers i.e. vegetation mapping, recent subdivisions
  • Updates to versions of standards, legislation or guidelines referenced in the planning scheme which were outdated.


How to view the amendment

You can view the proposed amendment online in our eplan which outlines the proposed changes. This is displayed similar to a tracked change version. Submissions can also be made directly online through this program.

You can also search for your property in the eplan to check if any of the proposed mapping updates will affect your property.

Alternatively, you can view the amendment by reviewing the document library on this page.


How to get involved

The formal public consultation period for the Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 (Business Improvement and Innovation) closed on 28 April 2023.

Over the next couple months council:

  • will consider every submission to the proposed amendment;
  • may make changes to the proposed amendment in response to the properly made submissions;
  • will advise each submitter, in writing, how their submission was considered and, if appropriate, incorporated into the amendment;
  • will publish the results of the public consultation process on this page.


If you haven't made a submission but want to be kept up-to-date, you can:

  • regularly check back on this page
  • subscribe to receive updates about this project through this page (see subscribe link on the side of the page)
  • or register to receive email updates (just send a request to planningscheme@chrc.qld.gov.au).


For enquiries about this consultation, please contact council's Strategic Land Use team (details on the side of the page or bottom of the page on a mobile device).

Private appointments can be arranged by contacting council's Strategic Land Use team on 1300 242 686 or via an email to planningscheme@chrc.qld.gov.au.

  • Get your copy of the Public Consultation Summary Report (Part 1)

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    This Public Consultation Report (Part 1) has been prepared by Central Highlands Regional Council (council) to:

    1. Summarise the activities and outcomes of the public consultation of the Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 (Business Improvement and Innovation) that took place from 10 February 2023 to 28 April 2023.
    2. Outline the matters raised in all submissions for the Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 (Business Improvement and Innovation).


    This report will inform the deliberations within and between Central Highlands Regional Council (council) and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP) regarding the appropriate consideration of and response to the key matters raised in all submissions. Once these deliberations are completed, council will draft and display the Public Consultation Report (Part 2). Part 2 will include a summary of all revisions to the amendment that have been proposed in response to the submissions received.


    In addition to this, any person that has lodged a submission will also receive a more personalised response which responds to the key issues raised by that submitter.


    Download a copy now! - Public Consultation Report (Part 1)

  • Update on carbon farming projects

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Council has made a number of enquiries to carbon farming companies and state and federal governments to determine whether the proposed Tourism and Ecotourism precincts should prevent carbon projects (i.e. what is the reasoning, what evidentiary support is there, what are current policies and guidelines saying).

    As these are private entities, it is not appropriate for council to respond on their behalf. Additionally, there are a variety of types of carbon farming projects available and organisations can apply different levels of restrictions or limitations around contracts so what may be correct for one organisation may not apply to another. If you are concerned and wish to involve council in your discussion with the carbon farming entities, council would happily avail themselves.

    The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is an Australian Government body responsible for accelerating carbon abatement for Australia through the administration of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme, Renewable Energy Target and the Emissions Reduction Fund. The Australian Government purchases lowest cost abatement (in the form of Australian carbon credit units) via the Emissions Reduction Fund, from a wide range of sources such as carbon farming projects.

    CER has provided the following information and has confirmed that council may make it publicly available.

    "There is nothing specifically that prevents projects from being undertaken in an ecotourism precinct. All proposed projects must meet the requirements of the method, such as land eligibility (section 9 of the method) in order to be declared. For sequestration projects such as soil carbon projects, there are also considerations to be made in terms of permanence obligations. When deciding whether to undertake a project, the proponent can choose a permanence period of either 25 or 100 years. Once the permanence period is nominated, it cannot be varied. If the project proponent then cannot meet these obligations for whatever reasons, the project may be revoked and they may be subject to ACCU surrender or Carbon Maintenance Obligation as a result.

    That being said, it is a private business decision to register a carbon project or to purchase a property with an existing carbon project and the Clean Energy Regulator does not oversee the standards of Carbon Service Providers.

    The Carbon Market Institute may be of more assistance to help understand how and why carbon service providers choose their risk profile."

    Additional information is available from https://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/. To find out more information about Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) eligibility criteria they may like to complete the eligibility questionnaire, email enquiries@cleanenergyregulator.gov.au, or call the CER contact centre on 1300 553 542

  • Consultation Period has closed (28 April 2023)

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    The formal public consultation period for the Draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 (Business Improvement and Innovation) closed on 28 April 2023.

    Over the next couple months council:

    • will consider every submission to the proposed amendment;
    • may make changes to the proposed amendment in response to the properly made submissions;
    • will advise each submitter, in writing, how their submission was considered and, if appropriate, incorporated into the amendment;
    • will publish the results of the public consultation process on this page.
  • Haven't been able to make it to one of the sessions? Want to know what was discussed?

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Council officers have compiled a list of matters raised by landowners during the consultation sessions, conversations and correspondence. Each of these matters are addressed in the document below. Please note that is an evolving document which will be updated as new enquiries and/or information arise. This version was last updated on 6 April 2023.

    Summary of matters raised during the public consultation period of the draft Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 7 (Business Improvement and Innovation) - Last updated 6 April 2023

  • The Public Notification period has been extended to 28 April 2023

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Council has received reports that some rural landholders have experienced delays of up to two weeks in receiving mail through Australia Post. Additionally, council has received several requests to extend the timeframe to allow rural landholders additional time to consider the proposed amendment and prepare a submission (if they wish to).

    In response, the Public Notification period has been extended by 4 weeks to 28 April 2023. There will be no further extensions to this public notification period.

  • Seeking further information about the proposed Tourism and Ecotourism Precincts?

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    As we receive questions about these precincts, we are updating the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page with the more common enquiries. Keep an eye out for updates.

    If you have received a letter in the mail regarding the precincts, a further letter will be sent out to you in the next few days with some of this additional information.

    Alternatively, we have also prepared an information sheet with some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed precincts.

    As always, if you have any questions or want a private appointment, contact the Strategic Land Use team on 1300 242 686 or via planningscheme@chrc.qld.gov.au

  • Have Your Say

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Make a submission through Central Highlands Regional Council's eplan here.



Page last updated: 31 Jul 2023, 10:13 AM