Planning framework
To give effect to its planning intentions, the Queensland Government has approved the Caboolture West Interim Structure Plan (CWISP) and passed the Planning (Caboolture West Interim Structure Plan) Amendment Regulation 2023 (Amendment Regulation).
The Amendment Regulation, which took effect on 14 March 2023, amends the Planning Regulation 2017 to implement the CWISP.
From 14 March 2023, the CWISP and Amendment Regulation have operated in conjunction with the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme (the Planning Scheme) to provide a comprehensive planning framework that will guide development applications and approvals. These three documents should be read together to understand the development assessment requirements in the CWISP area. Moreton Bay Regional Council continues to be the assessment manager for development applications in the CWISP area.
CWISP scope
In broad terms, the CWISP will enable the fast-tracked assessment of 13,000 new homes across 600 hectares of land identified on the Caboolture West Interim Structure Plan Map for use as residential development over the next 15 years. It also makes provision for, among other things, four State primary schools and two State secondary schools, four neighbourhood hubs, 15 local parks, two district recreation parks, and a local centre and community facilities hub.
Importantly, the existing precinct within Caboolture West known as Neighbourhood Development Plan Area 1 is not included in or affected by the CWISP.
The CWISP will ultimately be replaced by the Final Caboolture West Structure Plan, which is intended to be implemented in approximately 18 months' time.
The key takeaways from the introduction of the CWISP through the Amendment Regulation are set out below.
CWISP key takeaways
Two key areas under CWISP
The CWISP divides Caboolture West into two areas: the Caboolture West Growth Area (Growth Area) and the Caboolture West Investigation Area (Investigation Area). These areas are shown on the Caboolture West Growth Area and Investigation Area Map.
Prohibited development
The Amendment Regulation largely prohibits development within the Investigation Area subject to several exceptions, such as accepted development or interim activities under the Planning Scheme.
Development on a State school site in the Growth Area is also prohibited subject to certain exceptions.
Specific assessment benchmarks
The Amendment Regulation gives effect to the assessment benchmarks stated in the CWISP for the assessment of all assessable development within the Growth Area.
The assessment benchmarks are intended to establish a development framework that will provide for a variety of housing options (including affordable housing options), liveable neighbourhoods serviced by community facilities and the establishment of minor green corridors.
Examples of the assessment benchmarks set out in the CWISP include the following:
- Housing choice and affordability – development for a residential purpose is to deliver a mix of tenures and densities on a variety of lot sizes providing housing choice and affordability options for different lifestyle choices, life stages and to meet community needs.
- Setback requirements – new homes are to have sufficient rear setbacks for backyards.
- Minor green corridors – these are to be integrated with transport and drainage infrastructure.
- Local centre / community facilities hub – design guidance is provided for a range of integrated facilities and services within the Growth Area.
Planning Scheme may not be inconsistent
The Amendment Regulation provides that a local categorising instrument may not, in its effect, be inconsistent with the effect of an assessment benchmark set out in the CWISP. This means that, for example, if there is inconsistency between the Planning Scheme and the CWISP assessment benchmarks, the latter will apply to the extent of the inconsistency.
Code assessable development
With the introduction of the Amendment Regulation, developers will be able to lodge code assessable subdivision applications for the 13,000 new homes in the Urban living precinct of the Growth Area. Code assessment is a 'fast track' form of assessment when compared with impact assessment, meaning that developers will be able to bring new houses to market sooner.
Social and affordable housing
With its focus on housing accessibility, one of the assessment benchmarks in the CWISP provides that development for residential purposes must deliver:
- an integrated range of public housing and community housing, and
- affordable housing for low-to-moderate income housing.
One example of compliance with this assessment benchmark is offering the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy the first right to purchase land for public or community housing.
