COMMUNITY PLAN 2011-2026

Revised 2018

A VISION AND PLAN FOR OUR REGION’S FUTURE MAP CONTENTS

2 14 MAYOR’S MESSAGE SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

3 15 ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PLAN SUSTAINABLE AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

4 16 OUR REGION OPEN AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT

5 17 OUR HERITAGE RELAXED LIVING AND RURAL LIFESTYLE

6-7 18 ORIGIN OF TOWNS VIBRANT TOWNS AND VILLAGES

8-9 19 OUR IDENTITY ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICED REGION

10-11 20 A CHALLENGING FUTURE HEALTHY, ENGAGED AND RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES

12 21-23 COMMUNITY VIEWS MAKING IT HAPPEN

13 24 OUR VISION THANK YOU

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 1 MAYOR’S MESSAGE

It is my pleasure to present the As such, the review that was the updated Scenic Rim Community Community Plan Pulse Check of Plan 2011-2026. early 2018 identified the need for some minor revisions and additions This plan was initially developed to recognise the changes that have following consultation with Scenic occurred as our region has continued Rim residents and business operators to grow and develop during the past during 2010 as a vision shared by five years. Council and the community for the future of our region. Further Although seen through a new lens, community consultation in the Community Plan nevertheless early 2018 has ensured that our maintains the focus that we believe Community Plan continues to reflect is so important for the future of our community needs and aspirations. community.

We regard the Community Plan as We recognise the vision of the Scenic the collective voice of our Scenic Rim community embedded in the Rim community, guiding our five- Community Plan and regard it as a year Corporate Plan and our annual valuable document to provide long- Operational Plan and shaping our term direction for the growth and strategies for effective service development of the region. delivery throughout the region.

The Community Plan provides a framework for monitoring and review Cr Greg Christensen of outcomes and priorities to assess Mayor, Scenic Rim Regional Council our progress in realising the shared vision for the Scenic Rim.

2 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 ABOUT THE SCENIC RIM COMMUNITY PLAN

The Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 stakeholders. We remain committed to we want our future community to be - 2026 provides a shared vision and advocating for the implementation of like. Seven themes reflect the vision plan for the region’s future. Developed a long term vision for the area which and give a focus for action. Each together with the community, the recognises the unique beauty, heritage theme includes outcomes describing Scenic Rim Community Plan will guide and landmarks as reflected in the plan. the future state we are seeking and Council, other levels of government priorities that tell us where to put and community action on issues Council has prepared the Scenic Rim our effort. Scattered throughout the including the environment, economic Community Plan following extensive plan are thoughts and ideas from development, social wellbeing, community consultation. It represents community members who shared their infrastructure and governance. an amalgam of views from residents, views about the future of our region. visitors, businesses and community Council will directly consider the organisations. Accordingly, the plan Council looks forward to continuing expectations of the Community Plan should be read together with the to work with all levels of government in its decision making processes and Community Consultation Reports. and the Scenic Rim community to use the Plan as a guide to advocate for implement this vision and plan for the Scenic Rim community at other The plan includes a vision statement the future. levels of Government and with other that provides an expression of what

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 3 OUR REGION

Located in South East , the Agriculture, native forest and national Scenic Rim boundaries stretch from Peak parks are the dominant land uses. The Crossing and Gleneagle in the north to Sydney railway line and down to the New South Wales border, two interstate highways pass through and from in the the region which is well-serviced with east, to Cunningham’s Gap in the west. community infrastructure including over 1,700km of roads. The region is framed by mountain ranges including the Main Range, With a growing economy and a Mistake Range, McPherson Range and gross regional product of over $1,200 Teviot Range. It also encompasses million, the Scenic Rim boasts low valleys including Christmas Creek, unemployment. Retail trade is the Fassifern, Warrill, the Albert River, dominant employer, closely followed , Coomera River and the by manufacturing, construction and Bremer River Valleys and three dams, agriculture, forestry and fishing. Lake Maroon, Lake Moogerah and Wyaralong Dam. The region values its rural, natural and Aboriginal heritage and has a growing Scenic Rim covers 4,256 square arts and tourism sector. Scenic Rim kilometres and is home to is recognised for its biodiversity approximately 39,000 people. Most and contains World Heritage Listed residents of this rapidly growing Rainforest, one fifth of Queensland’s region live in the towns of Beaudesert, plant species and more than 200 rare Boonah, Canungra, Kalbar, Kooralbyn, or threatened plants and animals. Rathdowney, Tamborine Mountain and .

4 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 OUR HERITAGE

Long before Europeans arrived, The journals of early European Aboriginal people lived with and cared explorers are full of glowing references for this land using laws and practices to the region’s natural beauty. handed down by their ancestors. Historical documents mention the European explorers and settlers Mununjali, Yugambeh and Ugarapul searched for timber and established peoples and describe how they traded pastoral properties. Captain Patrick resources and interacted with relatives Logan, commandant of the penal and other family groups through a settlement at (Brisbane) complex network of trails that criss- was the first European explorer to crossed the region. enter the Scenic Rim in 1827 on an expedition to find a route to Mt Adventurer, naturalist and tourism Warning and Byron Bay. pioneer, Arthur Groom, coined the phrase Scenic Rim in the mid- At the same time, Allan Cunningham twentieth century to describe was on his expedition which led to the chain of mountains which the European discovery of the Darling wrap around the valleys between Downs and Spicer’s Gap. Cunningham Brisbane and Tamborine Mountain. returned in 1829 when he ascended Cunningham’s Gap. This imposing rim of mountains dates back millions of years to a time when The region’s settlements were subject many were active volcanoes. Their to the extremes of nature including legacy, Australia’s most accessible severe drought (e.g. 1877 - 1878) and World Heritage Listed Rainforests and major floods (in 1887, 1893, 1926 and rich alluvial soils continue to be the 1954). Despite these challenges, many region’s lifeblood. distinct communities formed around growing industries including dairy, Scenic Rim’s physical landscape has agriculture and horticulture. long made an impression on visitors.

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 5 ORIGIN OF TOWNS

Aratula - Fassifern’s youngest town, the store. Following the 1887 August Engels, built a small store in originated around 1915. It began floods, most businesses relocated 1877 and the town developed around life as Carter’s Gate and was later to higher ground and the present this enterprise. renamed Aratula. commercial and administrative centre was established by 1900 to service Kooralbyn - Kooralbyn formed part of Beaudesert - Squatters took up land surrounding rural enterprises. John ‘Tinker’ Campbell’s ‘Tamrookum’ around Beaudesert in 1842. In the pastoral run until the 1870s when it early 1870s, the area was surveyed Canungra - Canungra was not was divided into the ‘Tamrookum’ and as a town to service expanding formally surveyed until 1915, however ‘Kooralbyn’ properties. ‘Kooralbyn’, agricultural settlements. By the late a settlement developed in the 1880s said to mean ‘Place of the Copperhead 1880s, Beaudesert emerged as the around the Lahey Brothers’ Sawmill. Snake’, has a long association with district’s principal commercial and The town also served emerging horse-breeding and equestrian sports. administrative centre. communities at Beechmont and Tamborine Mountain after the Canungra Beechmont - In the 1870s timber- Branch Railway opened in 1915. The getters and selectors worked their way military area now known as the Kokoda up the Nerang River to Beech Mountain. Barracks was established in 1942. Small-scale sawmilling developed in the twentieth century and dairy farms were Harrisville - The area around established on the slopes of Beech Harrisville was opened for selection Mountain in 1925. Tourism was also during the 1860s. The town probably important with cabins available at Binna originated with the building of the Burra Mountain Lodge from 1933. Royal Hotel in 1875. A railway branch line built in 1882 was a further Boonah - Boonah can trace its incentive to development. origins to the opening of the Blumberg Brothers store in 1882. The Kalbar - German settlers arriving name ‘Boonah’ was first applied to during the 1870s played a major role the railway station and hill behind in establishing Kalbar. One of them,

6 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 Mt Alford - Mt Alford was previously Rosevale - Churches play an important Warrill View - Warrill View started life called Reckumpilla until renamed after role in the early history of Rosevale: in 1843 as a sheep run called Rosebrook, Thomas Alford who came to manage including the Lutheran (1881), Roman later renamed Normanby, which Coochin Coochin Station. The homestead Catholic (1889) and Church of Christ included amongst its owners George settlement began in the early 1870s and (1896). Dairying was Rosevale’s Thorn who briefly served as Queensland the township in the 1880s. The Mt Alford main industry and a cheese factory Premier. Close proximity to the emerging School opened on 4 April, 1888. was purchased in September 1917. centre of Harrisville resulted in only Production ceased in 1929, although the limited development of the planned Peak Crossing - William Watson took building was used as a cream-receiving town until the 1930s when it was up Peak Mountain Station in 1868. depot until 1943. renamed as Warrill View. The town of Peak Crossing was later established near Purga Creek at the Tamborine Mountain - Tamborine Reference: Greg Czechura, Heritage Guide crossing of Old Warwick, Harrisville and Mountain was opened to selection in to the Scenic Rim, Queensland Museum Roads, starting with a 1875. Due to difficulties accessing the in partnership with Scenic Rim Regional primary school in 1871. mountain, its population remained Council, 2010. small until the early 1900s. From 1918 to Rathdowney - Rathdowney 1925, rapid land subdivision occurred developed during the early 1900s as including the 1920-1921 creation of a small centre to service local farming North Tamborine and Eagle Heights. districts. The Beaudesert Tramway was extended to Rathdowney in 1911 Tamborine - Tamborine village allowing it to become a district centre. (originally spelt Tambourine) developed in the 1870s around a store, post- Roadvale - In the late 1800s and early office and St Mary’s chapel. It was the 1900s, Roadvale was one of the most administrative centre for the former densely populated towns in the Fassifern Tambourine Shire. The railway line to region. Most of the town was destroyed Canungra which opened in 1915 also by fire in 1915 and it never again reached passed through the village. its former size.

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 7 OUR IDENTITY

Scenic views and Friendly caring and natural environment connected community The name Scenic Rim says it all. The Strong social networks, a smaller scenic mountain ranges, native forests, population and rural lifestyle create waterways, dams, and rural farmland a friendly and caring community. “Small rural towns and are the region’s greatest asset and Long- term residents, many with links beautiful views” highly valued by residents, visitors and to the region’s heritage, complement businesses. These natural assets are residents attracted to the region’s “Lovely older homes and fundamental to the region’s prosperity, environment and lifestyle. Visitors friendly people” attractiveness as a place to live and visit, instantly recognise the friendly and the wellbeing of its communities. nature of our community. “Great environmental features and Country heritage and Vibrant, creative and productive incredible wildlife” rural lifestyle Our highly productive rural industries Our rural lifestyle is consistently continue to grow and adapt, “You can still find good identified as one of the region’s best providing employment and helping to manners and politeness” attributes. Residents and visitors manage our landscape. The growing love the heritage and character of community of artists scattered across “Lifestyle choices - you our towns and villages, the open the region and concentrated in areas can live on a mountain, spaces, our service oriented business like Boonah and Tamborine Mountain in a valley, near people community and the easy to move generate opportunities and make or isolated” around towns. Residents also benefit our region vibrant and engaging. from relatively affordable housing A diverse range of businesses and and a choice of rural living options industries create wealth in our that are increasingly scarce in communities; serving residents and urbanised . the broader region.

8 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 A region of diverse communities Burra and Tamborine Mountain are All our communities have a unique renowned for their national parks character. Beaudesert is a growing and scenic beauty. The Mountain is centre that retains a relaxed rural also home to a vibrant and creative feel and is surrounded by productive residential community, diverse local farms. Nearby is Bromelton, with its businesses and productive small farms. “Relaxed country feel with industries, farms and large privately no hustle and bustle” owned industrial estate that is well- Canungra is a thriving village connected to highways and the attracting tourists and residents “Genuine people” interstate railway. seeking a rural lifestyle. Beechmont is a small and active mountain top “A culturally rich Rathdowney is a quiet and friendly community. environment and superb village that serves as a gateway to artistic community” Scenic Rim wilderness areas. The Boonah is a bustling rural town Albert and Logan River Valleys support that retains its traditional character. “A wonderful and unique primary production, tourism and are A nearby network of rural villages place for my children to home to attractive small communities including Kalbar, Mt Alford, Harrisville, grow up” such as Hillview and Tamrookum. Peak Crossing, Maroon, Rosevale and Roadvale are all embedded in this “Country atmosphere, Kooralbyn offers a rural residential important agricultural, recreation and space, mountains and leisure-orientated lifestyle in a tourism area. The villages of Warrill and scenery” natural setting. View and Aratula provide services to their communities and travellers. Tamborine and its surrounds provide relaxed living with easy access to urban areas. Lamington, Binna

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 9 A CHALLENGING FUTURE

The Scenic Rim’s future is challenging, our region has approximately 50,000 vehicle costs, environmental concerns, with emerging competing priorities, hectares of national parks, parks and and the evident social and economic demands and shifts in industry and reserves, increased conservation efforts disadvantage experienced by those employment. These changes will and better management is needed without access to a car. Providing necessitate a better understanding of to protect our landscape, animals and reliable, convenient and frequent public new industries and their relationship to plants. More work is needed to reduce transport in such a low density rural the footprint of our region. Issues that waste, improve energy efficiency and region will be expensive. Questions need careful management include: reduce carbon emissions. remain about who should pay and whether demand is sufficient for a A growing population - Scenic Rim’s Sustaining our rural sector - viable service. population is forecast to nearly double Our rural industries face threats from by 2031 to just over 80,000 people. urban encroachment, mining, floods, Maintaining community This rapid growth will place demands drought and competition for water infrastructure - Council manages on infrastructure, services and natural supplies as well as changing markets nearly $700 million in community resources. Some towns and villages will and economic conditions. Rural industry assets including roads, bridges and expand as new housing is built. is vital to our economy, lifestyle and parks. Funding levels will need to landscape and requires our support. increase to maintain current service Maintaining local employment - standards into the future. Other levels New jobs and innovation will be needed High impact industry growth - of government face similar challenges. to maximize employment opportunities. The world’s ever increasing resource We need to consider what community Most of our employed residents travel demand is generating renewed interest infrastructure we can afford, our outside the region to work. We need in the region. Impacts from coal mining, priorities and how to fund them. to create diverse and rewarding local coal seam gas exploration and high employment and training opportunities. impact primary production could A changing age profile - By 2031, Jobs growth in agriculture and tourism put our environment, lifestyle and a higher proportion of younger (age is important but will not be enough. rural and tourism industries at risk. It 0-14) and older people (age 65+) Our challenge is to ensure that new remains unclear if coal and coal seam in our community will bring new businesses and industry centres gas industries, which require State opportunities and change demand for providing employment are compatible Government approval, will seek to services, infrastructure and housing. with our environment and lifestyle. develop in our region and there is an Our lifestyles are also changing with increase in interest in the Scenic Rim as growing levels of inactivity and obesity Protecting the environment - an intensive farming area. impacting on health. As South East Queensland grows, Scenic Rim’s environment and rural landscape Public transport - A call for improved Cost of living - Increasing standards will be increasingly valued. While public transport is driven by rising and expectations, competition for

10 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 Projected population growth 2016 – 2041

62,000 resources and changes in the economy are 57,800 impacting on daily living costs. How we 53,600 45,200 49,400 manage future growth will impact on housing 41,000 affordability and whether we can retain a diverse and inclusive community.

A global community - Our region is influenced by global and national issues and 2016 2021 2026 2031 2035 2041 trends. We need to consider challenges such Population as climate change, peak oil, food and water security, and technological developments and telecommunication connectivity in Although there are diverse East Queensland Regional Plan terms of their impacts and opportunities for views, many in our community 2017 establishes policy that is our region. We must ensure our own actions are concerned about population influencing Scenic Rim’s future make a positive global contribution. growth. Scenic Rim population population by establishing an projections are based on State urban footprint to manage the Part of South East forecasts of natural location of new development (SEQ) - Proximity to this large urban area population increases (births and by setting a target of 10,000 provides benefits such as diverse services, minus deaths) and net migration new dwellings from 2016 to to the region. 2041. Council is obligated by employment and education choice, and legislation to abide by the SEQ Net migration rates depend a ready market for products. However, Regional Plan and must service on overseas and interstate urban expansion and demand for natural the expected level of growth. resources could impact upon our lifestyle migration and factors like and challenge our control over the region’s housing availability and the Although there are negative region’s attractiveness as a place impacts, growth brings future. We need to firmly establish our to live. As Queensland continues benefits such as more services, future role in SEQ. to grow, limited land availability infrastructure, employment in SEQ and our great lifestyle options, housing choice make Scenic Rim increasingly and economic growth. As a “Developing our towns in a way attractive for new residents. community we must decide that allows more people to live if these benefits outweigh Government policy can the impacts. We also need to here without losing our country influence population growth consider the implications of atmosphere” through planning controls any government policy aimed on new residential land and at reducing growth rates in our “Providing high standard basic investment in community region. services to all ratepayers including infrastructure like roads, safe roads” hospitals and public transport What is the optimum size of our which make locations more region’s population? Ultimately, “Ensuring business and industry attractive to residents. The State that is a matter that the go ahead to sustain future Government’s Shaping SEQ South community must decide. employment”

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 11 COMMUNITY VIEWS

We asked our community to share • Meetings and workshops with opportunities also helped shape the their ideas about the future of the the community, business and plan. This included examining past Scenic Rim and this plan reflects environment sectors consultation and planning activities what we heard. Over an eleven such as the Boonah Rural Futures month period, Council carried out Thousands of people of all ages Project and Beaudesert Whole of over 60 consultation activities across contributed their views towards this Shire Planning Project. the region including: plan. A Draft Community Plan released in August 2011 attracted a positive Two Community Consultation • Postcard surveys, telephone response and many improvements Summary Reports are available and polls and on-line surveys suggested by the community are provide full details of all consultation incorporated in this final plan. activities and what was said. • Displays at local markets, These reports should be read in shows, shopping centres and Existing information about community conjunction with this plan. in town centres views, local challenges and future

What you like about the What is most important You’re concerned about... Scenic Rim... to you... • protecting the environment • natural environment and • natural environment and • managing growth and scenery parks development • rural lifestyle and character • scenic rural landscape • preserving lifestyle • quiet and relaxed lifestyle • lifestyle and liveability • inadequate public transport • quality of life • sense of community • poor roads • friendly people • roads and bridges • inadequate community • sense of community • consultation and planning participation in decision • coal mining and coal seam making gas extraction

12 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 OUR VISION

By 2026, Scenic Rim will be a network of unique rural communities embedded in a productive and sustainable landscape.

We will enjoy a high quality rural lifestyle in self-reliant communities that provide a choice of quality local food, products, services and recreation opportunities. Our residents will have affordable transport options and ready access to the broader South East Queensland region.

Our community will support sustainable farms, businesses and industries that are compatible with our environment and lifestyle and provide rewarding employment and prosperity for residents. Residents will benefit from the region’s productive farmland, stunning natural environment and character filled towns and villages which attract tourists and visitors and provide ecosystem services for the broader South East Queensland community.

Scenic Rim will be an inclusive, caring and creative environment with healthy and active residents. The region will provide a happy, safe and nurturing environment for children and families.

We will participate in planning and managing our communities and act to ensure the Scenic Rim is enhanced for future generations.

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 13 SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

The natural environment and rural Priorities • Ensuring responsibility for landscape of the Scenic Rim is unique • Supporting respectful co-existence environmental management is shared and our most treasured asset. Our and helping rural industries to prosper, • Ensuring ecological sustainability is residents, businesses and visitors are innovate and adapt considered in all decisions seeking to protect our environment • Protecting and improving valuable • Stopping activities such as coal and rural landscape from pressing farmland and rural water supplies mines and coal seam gas extraction threats and the challenges of growth. • Encouraging production and that irreversibly damage our natural The Scenic Rim community sees consumption of local food environment its productive and healthy natural environment as essential for our future • Managing development that could lifestyle, wellbeing and prosperity. impact on views and vistas • Protecting, enhancing and managing

“ Outcomes natural areas and corridors Preserve nature’s beautiful • Scenic views and vistas are protected spacious places for all • Restoring waterways, protecting to enjoy” • Diverse rural industries continue to biodiversity of flora and fauna and be healthy and productive retaining habitat “Be different - We have • Natural assets are cared for and • Controlling weeds and pests, walked in the forest, seen degraded areas restored improving soils and planting trees Quolls and Koalas. Do not • The services provided by our • Adapting to a changing climate pave paradise” ecosystems are valued • Reducing resource consumption, “Green and clean” • Waste, energy and resources are lowering our carbon footprint and sustainably managed moving to renewable energy “Keep the natural environment intact” • Systems are resilient and have • Learning to benefit from the services adapted to climate change our ecosystems provide to others “Be a leading shire • A sustainable rural sector • Understanding and working in sustainability” within the carrying capacity of our environment “Retain our farms”

14 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 SUSTAINABLE AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

A diverse and resilient economy is Priorities • Working together to understand essential for wellbeing. Residents value • Encouraging local investment and and manage conflicts between the personal service and contribution supporting local business recreation, tourism, agriculture, that locally owned businesses make • Creating conditions that attract industrial, residential and to our community and lifestyle. business and industry compatible commercial uses Residents are seeking development with our lifestyle and environment • Not accepting industries that that provides local employment • Building business and industry through their scale and adverse options, retains services and makes that diversifies our economy and impacts would put our region’s a positive contribution to wellbeing, provides new and rewarding lifestyle or environment at risk the environment and the character of employment options towns, villages and rural community. Our communities want a strong • Respecting local community economy based upon rural and tourism aspirations and natural assets in industries and the Scenic Rim’s highly building the economy of towns, “Give food production a valued lifestyle and landscape. villages and rural communities priority status” • Establishing infrastructure and Outcomes creating built environments that “Look after small industry • A diverse economy built upon attract and encourage business - don’t allow all new localisation principles growth in our towns and villages development and regulations of cities to push people away” • Rewarding local employment • Community participation in planning options available for residents our towns to minimise regulation “Ensure the agriculture, beef, • Agriculture and tourism are a and provide certainty for business, equine and tourism industries centrepiece of the economy and industry and the community work together and help supported by emerging industries • Creating pathways to local each other” • Beaudesert and Bromelton employment for the region’s youth “Foster ecotourism - this is a established as employment hubs and disadvantaged sustainable resource that will • Building a skilled and motivated • Business, industry and local appreciate in value” communities have certainty and workforce for local business control over their economic future • Working towards self containment “Encourage more business” • Our region captures the • Developing opportunities to export “Create more local jobs” opportunities that arise from our our products and services unique location • Helping rural based industries grow and diversify

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 15 OPEN AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT The Scenic Rim community • Regulation is minimalist and balances • Understanding community expects ethical local government individual and community needs expectations, delivering services that supports and represents • Levels of government work that meet these and government its community at all levels of together and with others in the leading by example government. Residents want community interest • Fair and equitable distribution of government to deliver affordable • Local community aspirations are government resources across our services efficiently and equitably. respected region All levels of Government are • Supporting and developing expected to take a long term view Priorities leaders in the community and strike a balance between often • Engaging local communities competing interests. Communication, including Indigenous people, transparency and participation children and young people in in decision making are highly decision making on issues that important. Our communities value affect them “Support communities their self- reliance and look to • Delivering the basic services government for leadership, firm but through proper consultation needed for community wellbeing before making decisions” fair regulation and support for local and keeping them affordable initiatives. • Streamlined, firm and fair “There is an opportunity for regulation of issues that matter our council to set a standard Outcomes with incentives for good practice in our region” • Residents and businesses participate in leading and managing their • Supporting the aspirations and “Don’t follow the path communities maintaining the identity of local communities of others but make the • Government serves and supports effort and lead the way in • Protecting the community’s the community sustainability” investment in infrastructure and • Services are value for money and minimising whole-of-life costs contribute to community wellbeing “Keep rates and living costs • Building understanding and • Government is transparent, invites at an affordable level” trust between community and participation and encourages government through information, constructive debate honesty and transparency

16 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 RELAXED LIVING AND RURAL LIFESTYLE

A diversity of housing in towns, Priorities villages and rural areas provides for • Ensuring urban activities are relaxed living. Residents enjoy quality contained within the established facilities and services and ready access urban footprint to larger South East Queensland • Activities and buildings complement communities. The region’s rural and blend with the rural environment landscape, parks, waterways and spacious residential living support • Supporting residents and businesses an active outdoor lifestyle. Our to maintain and manage the rural “Keep it rural and not residents expect that future residential landscape become a suburb of Ipswich growth continues to make a positive • Building streets and urban areas and Brisbane” contribution to our rural lifestyle. that complement and blend with the rural environment “Retain the look and feel Outcomes • Providing a diverse range of of what we all love” • The region’s rural character and affordable housing in our towns and heritage is maintained villages including housing suitable “Restrictions on architecture • A growing population is for all ages - ugly suburban brick homes accommodated within the limits don’t cut it out here” • Ensuring new residential of the region’s capacity development includes open space, “Provide land for families • A choice of housing is available larger lots, paths connecting people that don’t want to raise to residents to places and housing styles that their children on 400 square • Development is respectful of our reflect our rural character and metre blocks” rural lifestyle, town character and lifestyle natural environment • Agricultural land is protected from “Encourage families to live fragmentation and development south of Beaudesert to help • The region retains its landscape, maintain viability of schools open spaces and green corridors • Effective planning that engages the and bus runs” • Facilities and spaces are available community, provides for our future and encourage outdoor recreation needs and protects the environment and rural lifestyle

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 17 VIBRANT TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Character filled towns and villages • Rural villages are strengthened, controlling development and that serve the needs of their retain their heritage character and protecting valuable productive and communities are a major asset to our provide a range of basic services natural environments region. Thriving main streets remain a • Supporting the community in feature of our towns and villages and Priorities owning, developing and delivering are highly valued by residents, visitors • Understanding, protecting and initiatives that drive vibrant towns and businesses alike. Distinct edges enhancing those things our and villages to our towns and villages, which are residents and visitors value about • Bringing our towns and villages surrounded by farmland or forests, the character and heritage of our alive through events, activities provide a sense of arrival. Heritage towns and villages and celebration housing and buildings are often at • Protecting unique individual • Supporting modest growth in the the heart of our towns and villages. character and heritage values region’s rural villages to sustain and in our towns and villages across Outcomes reinstate local business and services the region • Towns and villages are appealing, • Plans to revitalise and restore • Creating attractive, pedestrian welcoming and serve their individual areas of the Scenic Rim are friendly and active engaging communities achieved through targeted plans for places and spaces in town centres • Beaudesert is built into a modern town centres and village spaces centre that respects its country • Encouraging a mix of growth and heritage development to invigorate town centres, create employment and • Tamborine Mountain and attract and sustain high quality “Plan carefully to avoid loss Beechmont are sustained as education and health services of character” productive green sanctuaries and creative environments • Protecting unique character and “Keep what we have and heritage values across the region • Boonah and Canungra evolve into love - character housing, through community pride and thriving rural towns and hubs for scenic landscapes, village managing development recreation, tourism and sustainability life, no traffic lights” • Protecting creative, quality lifestyles • Kooralbyn, Kalbar, Harrisville and Peak and unique natural environments Crossing continue to provide relaxed “Protect and preserve by carefully managing tourism, rural living in a natural setting Boonah’s “Old Town” historic values”

18 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICED REGION

Roads are the backbone of our • Access to reliable, affordable, high • Providing facilities and services for community. Residents, businesses speed communications visitors and tourists and visitors rely on the road network • Infrastructure and services keep • Ensuring community infrastructure to move around the region. Our pace with growth and changing is appropriate for our environment, community is demanding better and needs and are compatible with our contributes to attractive and safer roads and seeking transport environment functional places, and serves alternatives like walking, cycling, and • Investment in community multiple purposes public transport including rail. Many infrastructure and levels of service • Rationalising or reinvigorating poorly believe that quality public transport reflect the community’s capacity used infrastructure and services and more active travel would provide and willingness to fund them • Ensuring new infrastructure needed economic, social and environmental to support residents, visitors and benefits for our community. Priorities a growing economy is provided in • Maintaining and upgrading the time and is funded by those who Quality communications infrastructure existing State and local road network benefit most is also important to residents and • Pursue creative and flexible public • Providing access to affordable high businesses with many seeking and community based transport speed internet the employment and lifestyle solutions that service towns and opportunities provided by high speed villages with a priority of meeting broadband. Attractive and functional the needs of those with limited parks and community facilities are access to private transport such as “Have strong infrastructure to regarded as essential to our lifestyle youth and aged prepare for the growth ahead” and for attracting tourists. • Pursue public transport services “Repair our roads and clean up between the region’s towns and Outcomes our waterways” villages and major urban centres • A well-maintained road network that meets community needs • Building infrastructure that “A rail link to Brisbane” supports safe walking and cycling • Affordable and flexible transport and increased accessibility “Affordable public transport to options available to residents and Ipswich and Brisbane” visitors • Improving access and the attractiveness of towns and villages • Inviting, attractive and functional by managing traffic, heavy vehicles “Be a leader in developing bike streets, paths, parks and and parking tracks and paths” community facilities

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 19 HEALTHY, ENGAGED AND RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES

Our residents enjoy strong social Priorities • Retaining safe communities networks and friendly communities • Providing opportunities for through policing, pride, design, with a long history of people working learning and education aligned and community involvement together. Residents aspire to retain these with the region’s future economy • Providing access to transport and characteristics by building creative and and emerging technologies education as enablers to help inclusive communities that offer a wide • Maintaining affordability and address disadvantage range of events, activities and support addressing disadvantage • Supporting individuals to services. Quality local health services and • Strengthening social interaction, contribute towards achieving the facilities for our changing population building partnerships and community’s vision and people with disabilities are critical. connectedness through activities Residents are also seeking further local • Providing affordable activities, and infrastructure education and training opportunities services and public spaces that aligned with our future economy. • Creating a better lifestyle and meet the needs of the community delivering services for the aging Outcomes population • Strong social interaction and a • Building an active and healthy “More free events by the sense of connectedness community through sport, parks, Council to engage local community gardens and recreation • Healthy and active people communities” • Attracting and maintaining quality • A life-long learning community health and social services that with opportunities to thrive “Modern exercise equipment in meet the needs of families, the parks for the grown-ups” • A community that celebrates its aged and people with disabilities identity, culture and diversity • Celebrating and recognising “Encourage more artists • A friendly and inclusive community the diversity of our culture and creative people in • A community that embraces and and Aboriginal traditions and the community” values young and old encouraging artistic and creative expression “Disability and age friendly • A community that displays • Creating a sense of identity and parks, open spaces and commitment to the vision through built environments” choices and actions belonging

20 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 MAKING IT HAPPEN

Achieving the vision and outcomes Businesses looking to establish or Plan and annual Budget will set requires all of us to focus on the grow know what the community out what Council will do towards priorities and take action. Some expects and can make better achieving the Corporate Plan on an actions could be as simple as decisions about their future. annual basis. Likewise other Council shopping locally, saying hello or Community organisations that focus programs and plans including the walking to school. Other more on plan priorities can be confident of Planning Scheme will inform and be complex actions will take time and our support. All levels of government informed by the community plan require collaboration between will know what services are important (Figure 1 - following page). government, business and to you and how to best invest in the community. community’s future.

This long term plan deliberately Council’s Role includes outcomes we can aspire to. Council’s role is to support the It may not always be immediately community to achieve its vision. apparent how to achieve or fund The Scenic Rim Community Plan is “Support Aboriginal elders them. To create the future we want, an optional statutory plan under who still have knowledge the whole community must work the Local Government Act 2009 from the living past together to find solutions. and guides Council’s strategic, traditional lifestyles” operational and financial decisions The Scenic Rim Community Plan will based on the overall aspirations “Infrastructure and guide decision making by all levels of the community. Importantly, it entertainment for young of government, business, community sets direction for Council land use adults” groups and individuals. The entire planning, infrastructure provision and community has a shared responsibility service delivery, and identifies areas “Create more education to promote the vision, support action for Council advocacy on State and opportunities through new and remind us when we lose focus or Federal issues. learning centres” stray from the desired path. Council’s Corporate Plan outlines “Have a good working Importantly, this Plan provides a Council’s five year plan for hospital to cater for growth” clear sense of what will or won’t be implementing aspects of the welcome in the Scenic Rim. Community Plan. The Operational

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 21 Council planning framework (figure 1) SCENIC RIM COMMUNITY PLAN

The community’s long term vision for the region LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLANS ASSET MANAGEMENT PLANS

Approach to financial management CORPORATE PLAN How community assets will be that ensures long term sustainability managed and maintained Values and strategies to deliver the community’s vision PLANNING SCHEME

OPERATIONAL PLAN Manages growth, plans and secures new infrastructure ANNUAL BUDGET Services and initiatives Council will deliver in the current year CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM Revenue and expenditure to deliver Operational Plan ANNUAL REPORT 10yr infrastructure construction, renewal and maintenance program Reports progress on Corporate and Operational Plans

To implement the Scenic Rim Community including the local Aboriginal High demand for infrastructure and services and limited revenue means that Plan Council will: community. Council will never be able to achieve • Align Corporate and Operational Plans • Work with other levels of government, desired outcomes on its own. Council with the community’s vision business and community organisations must work to ensure other levels of on priorities and aspirations for the • Provide and invest in services and government, business and community Community as set out in this Plan community infrastructure that organisations contribute to achieving the contributes towards the vision • Ensure regulation and land use outcomes of the Plan. planning reflect community • Lead and support the community in outcomes State-wide Context taking action to realise the vision • Ensure Council’s own actions reflect The Scenic Rim Community Plan is • Communicate, advocate and represent the vision informed by State Government plans and the community’s vision • Monitor and report on progress strategies. One of the most important • Build and maintain effective processes is the SEQ Regional Plan 2009 – 2031. • Review and refresh the Community Council planning must be consistent to engage the local community Plan regularly with the community. with this plan. Matters considered when developing the Community Plan were:

22 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 Monitoring and review framework (figure 2)

SCENIC RIM SELECT COMMUNITY REVIEW AND REFRESH COMMUNITY PLAN INDICATORS REPORTING COMMUNITY PLAN

Regular reporting of Every 5 years - review Vision, outcomes and Suite of community community indicators progress toward outcomes priorities indicators selected in and refresh community Review and reporting of Approach to monitoring consultation vision, outcomes and plan implementation via and review with the community priorities in consultation Council’s annual report with community

NOVEMBER 2011 2012 ANNUAL 2016

• Predicted population and dwelling Council expects, and will strongly The first step will be to select meaningful targets advocate for, other levels of government indicators that help measure the • Regional land use pattern including to carefully consider and address outcomes we are seeking. Once these urban footprint and regional landscape the Scenic Rim Community Plan are identified, Council will establish a and rural production areas when reviewing these existing plans baseline, regularly monitor progress and or making decisions that affect our report to the community. Council will • Designated employment nodes community. The State Government has also report on the community’s priorities. (including Bromelton Industrial Estate) a particularly important role to play in • Desired regional outcomes helping us achieve our vision. A monitoring framework is outlined in figure two. Major reviews of the Other particularly important State Measuring Progress and Community Plan to refresh the vision will plans include the SEQ Natural Resource Refreshing the Vision be conducted at least every five years in Management Plan 2009-2031, SEQ To achieve our vision we need to know consultation with the community. Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010- if actions are taking us in the right 2031 and Connecting SEQ 2031. direction.

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 23 THANK YOU

Council thanks the community members who contributed their ideas to this plan. Many individuals, groups and businesses committed time, energy and enthusiasm by providing feedback, completing surveys, attending workshops and writing submissions. Council enjoyed hearing the diverse and often passionate views about the future of our region.

Council also thanks the community members who recognised the importance of this plan and encouraged others to contribute their views. By sharing our views and listening to others we take the first steps towards creating a future we can all enjoy.

Council looks forward to working with you in implementing our plan for the future.

24 Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 YOUR FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS WELCOME!

Council will review this plan on a Phone: regular basis. However, Council (07) 5540 5111 appreciates getting feedback at Fax: any time. (07) 5540 5103

Visit: Email: scenicrim.qld.gov.au [email protected]

Write to: Visit: Scenic Rim Regional Council Customer Service Centres PO Box 25, Beaudesert QLD 4285 at Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain

Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 - 2026 25 Visit: scenicrim.qld.gov.au

Write to: Scenic Rim Regional Council PO Box 25, Beaudesert QLD 4285

Phone: (07) 5540 5111 Fax: (07) 5540 5103 Email: [email protected]

Visit: Customer Service Centres at Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain