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.
|
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 was completed and ready for public consultation. |
February – March 2024 | Stage 9: Community consultation The draft settlement strategy was made available for public comment for 6 weeks from 2 February 2024 until 15 March 2024. The engagement focused on drop-in sessions, with all documentation accessible online during that period.
|
March – June 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. |
June - July 2024 | Stage 11: Final community consultation The updated settlement strategy is made available for public comment for 3 weeks from 24 June 2024 until 14 July 2024. The engagement will have three facilitated workshops. |
August - October 2024 | Stage 12: Finalisation of the report and Council’s adoption Following the engagement period, the final version of the Settlement Strategy will be completed and sent to Council for consideration and adoption. |
The updated Circular Head Settlement Strategy
In February 2024 the draft Circular Head Settlement Strategy was exhibited by the Circular Head Council for public comment. You can learn about the feedback received in the Consultation Summary Report here:
The feedback received has been considered and changes have been made to the draft Circular Head Settlement Strategy. These changes include additional information around context for settlement strategies, policies and background.
The strategy also includes analysis of opportunities and constraints for each settlement identified in the settlement hierarchy for Circular Head.
The draft Settlement Strategy and supporting documents can be found below.
Settlement Strategy Background Analysis – June 2024
Settlement Strategy – June 2024 (Print version)
Settlement Strategy – June 2024 (Online version)
Council is considering the submissions from the last public consultation in June-July 2024 to finalise the project.
MORE INFO
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.
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
HOW IS THE CIRCULAR HEAD SETTLEMENT STRATEGY DONE?
Please contact Circular Head Council on (03) 6452 4800 or at council@circularhead.tas.gov.au if you have any questions.