URBIS STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPORT WERE: Director Sarah Emons Senior Consultant Sarah Ancell Job Code MA7939 Report Number St Helens Structure Plan – Background Report 2013 FINAL xdisclai mer x © Urbis Pty Ltd ABN 50 105 256 228 All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced without prior permission. While we have tried to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance in information in this publication. URBIS Australia Asia Middle East urbis.com.au TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Aims ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Project Process ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 Township Profile ............................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Location ................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Settlement Structure and Character ........................................................................................ 5 2.3 Transport and Access .............................................................................................................. 5 2.3.1 Road Transport ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.3.2 Walking and Cycling Routes ................................................................................................... 5 2.3.3 Air Transport ............................................................................................................................ 6 2.3.4 Marine Facilities ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................... 6 2.4.1 Water ....................................................................................................................................... 6 2.4.2 Sewerage................................................................................................................................. 6 2.4.3 Stormwater .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.4.4 Electricity and Telecommunications ........................................................................................ 6 3 Community and Population Profile ................................................................................................ 8 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 General Community Profile ..................................................................................................... 9 3.3 Population Projections ........................................................................................................... 16 4 Natural Features ............................................................................................................................. 18 4.1 Landscape ............................................................................................................................. 18 4.2 Biodiversity ............................................................................................................................ 18 4.3 Soils ....................................................................................................................................... 18 4.4 Natural Hazards ..................................................................................................................... 18 4.4.1 Flooding ................................................................................................................................. 18 4.4.2 Bushfires ................................................................................................................................ 18 4.4.3 Land Stability ......................................................................................................................... 19 4.4.4 Climate Change ..................................................................................................................... 19 5 Cultural Features ............................................................................................................................ 24 5.1 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Historic Heritage .................................................................................................................... 24 6 Land Uses ....................................................................................................................................... 27 6.1 Residential ............................................................................................................................. 27 6.2 Town Centre .......................................................................................................................... 30 6.3 Industrial ................................................................................................................................ 30 6.4 Tourism .................................................................................................................................. 31 6.5 Rural ...................................................................................................................................... 31 6.6 Recreation ............................................................................................................................. 31 6.7 Community Facilities ............................................................................................................. 35 7 Economy of the Region ................................................................................................................. 37 8 Strategic Context ............................................................................................................................ 41 8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 41 8.2 State ...................................................................................................................................... 41 8.2.1 Resource Management and Planning System ...................................................................... 41 URBIS ST HELENS STRUCTURE PLAN - BACKGROUND REPORT 2013 FINAL 8.2.2 State Policies .........................................................................................................................41 8.2.3 Tasmania Together 2020 ......................................................................................................42 8.2.4 Economic Development Plan 2011 .......................................................................................42 8.2.5 Other Strategies .....................................................................................................................43 8.3 Regional .................................................................................................................................43 8.3.1 Regional Land use Strategy of Northern Tasmania ..............................................................43 8.3.2 Northern Tasmania Integrated Transport Plan ......................................................................44 8.3.3 Northern Tasmania Natural Resource Management Strategy 2010-2015 ............................44 8.3.4 North East Bioregional Network Land Use Plan ....................................................................44 8.3.5 North Eastern Tasmania Sustainable Coastal Camping Strategy 2000 ...............................44 8.3.6 Northern Tasmania Regional Recreational Trails Strategy 2004 ..........................................44 8.3.7 Mountain Bike Tourism Potential in Northern Tasmania .......................................................45 8.4 Sub-Regional .........................................................................................................................45 8.4.1 Vision East 2030 – The East Coast Land Use Framework ...................................................45 8.4.2 Trail of the Tin Dragon Master Plan 2004 .............................................................................48 8.4.3 East Coast Marine Infrastructure Strategy ............................................................................48 8.5 Local ......................................................................................................................................49 8.5.1 Planning Schemes .................................................................................................................49 8.5.2 Municipal Management Plan .................................................................................................49 8.5.3 Bay of Fires Conservation