February 2023 | Stage 1: Project inception An inception meeting was held with Council officers to discuss the project scope, timeframes for key milestones, and information requirements. |
March – June 2023 | Stage 2: Literature and policy review A literature review was undertaken to identify issues, key themes impacting the Circular Head area, and establish strategic directions and broad trends of relevance to the settlement strategy. A review of the existing planning framework was also undertaken, including relevant state, regional and local policies and strategies. |
June 2023 | Stage 3: Site immersion and community engagement ERA Planning and Environment commenced a stakeholder engagement process for the Circular Head Settlement Strategy. The project team met with members of the community at drop-in sessions, individual meetings, and also met with members of Council. As part of their time in Circular Head they also visited all major settlements to ensure they understood the issues being raised in the community.
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March – July 2023 | Stage 4: Land supply and demand analysis and natural hazard assessment Consultants considered future demand for residential, commercial and industrial uses in the municipality; and reviewed natural hazards with a focus on where and how these natural hazards may impact on land use. ERA undertook a supply analysis of the area to determine future housing needs and identified housing and settlement trends for Circular Head. |
July 2023 | Stage 5: Background report A background report was prepared and issued to Circular Head Council summarising the results of stages 2 – 4. |
August-October 2023 | Stage 6: Draft settlement strategy A draft settlement strategy was prepared based on the tasks undertaken in the above stages. |
October 2023 | Stage 7: Officer review and revision The draft settlement strategy was reviewed by Council officers and feedback provided. The draft strategy is being revised to incorporate Council’s feedback. |
December 2023 | Stage 8: Endorsement of document The final draft of the Settlement Strategy will be presented at the Council meeting for endorsement as suitable for public consultation. |
January – February 2024 | Stage 9: Community consultation The draft settlement strategy will be made available for public comment for 4 weeks. |
March – April 2024 | Stage 10: Finalisation of report Following consultation, the draft report will be amended to incorporate community feedback before being finalised. The final strategy will then be considered and endorsed by Circular Head Council. |
The draft Circular Head Settlement Strategy is open now for Your Say
The draft Circular Head Settlement Strategy has been completed and now opened for public comment.
Circular Head Settlement Strategy – Final report
Circular Head Settlement Strategy - Supporting Reports
Circular Head Settlement Strategy – Land Demand and Natural Hazard Assessment
HAVE YOUR SAY!
We want to hear from the local community on what could be improved to make our settlement areas more sustainable and resilient. How you can contribute:
- Make a written submission via
- Online: Click here to provide feedback
- Email council@circularhead.tas.gov.au
- Hand deliver your submission to the Council Office, 33 Goldie Street, Smithton
- Post it to Development Services, Circular Head Council, PO Box 348 Smithton, TAS 7330
- Attend a Community Drop-in information session to have a chat about the project
Community consultation is from 2 February 2024 until 15 March 2024.
DROP-IN INFORMATION SESSIONS
Smithton: Council Chambers, 33 Goldie Street Smithton
- Monday, 19 February 2024, 3pm - 4:30pm
- Tuesday, 20 February 2024, 10am - 11:30am
- Tuesday 27 February 2024, 5pm - 7pm
Stanley: Stanley Town Hall, 10 Church Street Stanley
- Monday, 19 February 2024, 10am - 11:30am
- Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 3pm - 4:30pm
Marrawah: Marrawah Memorial Hall, 844 Comeback Road Marrawah
- Wednesday 21 February 2024, 10:30am – 12pm
WHAT IS A SETTLEMENT STRATEGY?
A settlement strategy has been prepared to provide a strategic blueprint for planning and managing the sustainable growth of the Circular Head municipality. The settlement strategy informs and guides future use and development in Circular Head for the next 20 years, from 2023 through to 2043.
The settlement strategy does not include any plans for Council to undergo development, but rather provides a guide to Developers and Council Planners on where and what kind of development Council would like to encourage into the future.
WHY A SETTLEMENT STRATEGY?
In 2020 Circular Head Council consulted with the community about their experiences of living in the municipality, the important issues and how they’d like to see their community grow. Click here to see the survey findings.
Council heard that:
- It is a very stable community with more than half of the community having lived in the area all their lives.
- Three quarters of the community live close to Smithton, Stanley or Forest. Over 90% of residents want the area to grow and develop primarily in Smithton or Stanley.
- People loved the friendly and supportive community, the natural landscapes and the lifestyle the location afforded.
- People would like to see improved medical services and educational facilities, retail and food services and recreational activities.
- People would like to see improved employment opportunities and housing.
To help with managing growth and change in the area, Council has engaged ERA Planning and Environment to prepare a settlement strategy. The settlement strategy will focus on how the community can grow while retaining the things they love and will identify the best places for further housing, business, commercial and light industrial development. It will also consider land constraints or hazards such as flood inundation, important environmental values as well as protecting agricultural land. Important issues like servicing a township with water, sewer and stormwater and other infrastructure will also be considered to ensure our communities are sustainable in the future.
The strategy has the following aims:
- To understand the social, economic, and environmental trends impacting Circular Head
- To determine the existing housing supply and the future housing demand for the municipal area
- To develop a clear policy framework that will guide planning and decision-making
- To provide guidance to meet the future housing needs of Circular Head Council