While all communities are made up of individuals with different tastes, needs and lifestyles, some values are common to all:
Sanitation
Clean water
Fresh air
A clean environment
Open space
Access to services
Some form of overall planning is necessary to ensure these basic values are met and that community resources are effectively and economically used. Planning is vital for the orderly expansion of new housing and industry, while also protecting parts of the landscape which contribute to achieving our shared values. It is important that the planning process considers a range of factors before making any decisions.
Such considerations include:
The quality of our natural environments
Scarce resources
Preservation of landscape features
Promoting local growth and employment
General and social equity
At the local level, planning is concerned with three main areas:
Land use
Subdivision
Development control.
Planning in essence seeks to maximise our opportunities as a community, while maintaining the balance between environmental, social and economic sustainability.
