Starting the Discussion: Building Back Better
Consultation has concluded
This consultation has now concluded.
REVIEW OF LISMORE’S LAND USE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
The Lismore Growth Management Strategy 2015-2035 (GMS) is a key strategic planning document that identifies land for future residential, commercial and industrial use. It was due to be reviewed in 2022 and incorporated into the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) (also known as ‘Inspire Lismore 2040’) which is a relatively new document required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and adopted by Council in 2020.
But the floods of February and March necessitate a complete rethink about how we plan to rebuild a regional city located at the convergence of two rivers.
Council has released a discussion paper that presents some broad brushstrokes for how Lismore could build back better. Some of the strategic objectives identified for consideration include:
- A planned retreat of the most high flood risk areas of North and South Lismore. Council will advocate for a State and Federal Government funded land swap arrangement to allow residents to move to higher ground but remain close to existing social networks and jobs.
- Protection of the CBD and land on the eastern side of the Wilsons River through flood mitigation measures.
- Investigations into expanding the industrial precinct at Goonellabah.
- Preliminary design and feasibility work to establish whether a new commercial or mixed-use precinct could be located on the golf course land at East Lismore.
- New medium density zoning and increased height controls for strategically located flood-free sites.
- Ensuring affordable housing is included as part of Lismore’s growth by introducing an Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme (AHCS) for all land identified for future residential rezoning or a change in LEP controls to allow for greater density. An AHCS is a mechanism in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act that allows Council to collect developer contributions for the purpose of providing new affordable housing.
- Review of the Infrastructure Delivery program to identify how we can fast-track infrastructure to new land releases outside of flood affected areas.
The aim of this review is to agree on a strategic direction for growth and rebuilding in Lismore and to ensure that in the long-term there is a suitable supply of land available for new and existing businesses and a suitable supply of flood-free residential land. The discussion paper also identifies land that is available in the short to medium term and where growth has occurred since the GMS was adopted in 2015.
Following feedback from the community, a report with final recommendations will be considered by Council and put out for further comment. Once adopted by Council, maps identifying future growth areas and any related recommendations will be added as an addendum to the Imagine Lismore 2040 LSPS.
Submissions closed Friday, June 10, 2022.
Valuable community feedback has now been presented to Councillors and staff. The feedback is uploaded to this page in 'Community Feedback Overview'.