Whitsunday Planning Scheme Major Amendment

The Whitsunday Planning Scheme 2017 has undergone its first Major amendment, which following public consultation, was adopted by Council on Wednesday 27 September 2023. The Consultation and Submission Analysis Report provides an overview of the public consultation period. The Report contains all submissions and Council responses within Appendix C.

The amendment creates Version 4.7 of the Planning Scheme, which has effect from Tuesday 3 October 2023. The amendment package introduces a number of changes that will enhance local planning outcomes with the addition of:

• development incentives
• Airlie Beach and Bowen local plans
• improved environmental protections
• best practice natural hazard mapping and benchmarks for resilience
• zone amendments from community and State Government requests.

The Amendments respond to local issues, promote development incentives, enhance environmental protections and improve natural hazard planning, in a manner that respects our community values. An extensive summary of the amendments is listed here. More information is available within Fact sheets accessible in the right hand tab.

The Public Consultation Period for this project began on 25 July 2022 and concluded on 31 October 2022.

Council also undertook public consultation on documents that support the Planning Scheme Major Amendment, including Local Heritage Placecards and the Proserpine to Airlie Beach Growth Study and Structure Plan. Please view the Proserpine to Airlie Beach Growth Study and Structure Plan project page for more information.