Bringing Blackwater Back (into the planning scheme)

What is “Bringing Blackwater Back?”

The urban area of Blackwater, north of the Capricorn Highway, is affected by two Priority Development Areas (PDAs) declared under the Economic Development Act 2012, meaning that development and planning in this area is bound by different provisions to the rest of the Central Highlands.

Council is working with Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) to progress the revocation (abolishment) of these PDAs, which would see these urban areas incorporated back into the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme (the planning scheme). This process is referred to as the "revocation" of the PDAs. Once completed, revocation would mean that development applications in the Blackwater urban area (above the highway) would be assessed under the same codes and legislation as the rest of the region. It also means that the community will be able to have more influence over how development is guided in this area in the future.

Council wants to hear from interested residents in Blackwater about the best ways to bring Blackwater PDAs back into the planning scheme. Residents are welcome to register their interest in being part of the Blackwater Revocation Advisory Group to help inform this transition.

What are Priority Development Areas (PDAs)?

Priority Development Areas (PDAs) are parcels of land within Queensland, identified for specific accelerated development with a focus on economic growth and community benefit. The Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) may declare a PDA under the Economic Development Act 2012.

Blackwater is home to two Priority Development Areas (PDAs) which were intended to facilitate development which supported the resource sector.

1. The Blackwater Priority Development Area (Blackwater PDA) was declared on Friday 30 July 2010. It encompasses the town north of the Capricorn Highway. The Blackwater PDA includes existing houses, as well as some accommodation facilities, commercial and light industrial uses and associated infrastructure. Follow this link for more information.
2. The Blackwater East Priority Development Area (Blackwater East PDA) was adopted by the State Government on 24 April 2014 and identifies an area to the East of Blackwater for future residential development in response to the potential growth demands in the Bowen Basin associated with the mining resource sector. Follow this link for more information.

What will be involved in the revocation of the Priority Development Areas (PDAs)?

Provisions under the Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act) and the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act) allow a single process to be undertaken to revoke the PDAs and incorporate these areas back into the planning scheme.

This means that council will need to propose (through a draft for public consultation) zone changes throughout the current PDAs to align with zones utilised in the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (the planning scheme).

In most instances, the zones under the PDAs will transition into comparable zones in the planning scheme. For example, a Residential zone under the Blackwater Urban Development Scheme may be rezoned to a General Residential Zone under the Planning Scheme.

Council will be seeking community input on whether the zone proposed to be used in the future is the most appropriate for that particular area or lot. There may also be discussion around whether particular lots should be rezoned for other uses.

Once these changes are “adopted”, any development applications in Blackwater will go through the same processes and work under the same “rules”, planning scheme and legislation that guides development for the rest of the region.

How can I get involved?

Council undertook community engagement in Blackwater on 23 and 24 October 2023. During these days, council accepted community input on what the most appropriate zone to be used in the future for a particular area or lot might be. There was some discussion around workers accommodation camps, whether some lots should be zoned for different types of uses including rezoning unused parks for housing or aged care facilities.

If you were unable to attend these days, the community will still be consulted for at least 30 business days during the formal public notification phase required under the Economic Development Act 2012. This will likely occur in 2024.

How can I stay informed?

Project updates will be shared on this page. Select 'subscribe' (on the right of the page or at the bottom of the page on a mobile device) if you would like to receive project updates via email.

For enquiries about this project, please contact council's Strategic Land Use team on 1300 242 686 or planningscheme@chrc.qld.gov.au.