Limestone Coast Region Plan A volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy August 2011 Limestone Coast Region Plan A volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy This document is the Limestone Coast Region Plan. The document has been prepared by the South Australian Government, through the Department of Planning and Local Government, as a volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy pursuant to section 22 of the Development Act 1993 and is subject to change. For further information Please visit www.dplg.sa.gov.au or telephone the Department of Planning and Local Government on 08 8303 0600. Disclaimer While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of publication, the Minister for Urban Development, Planning and the City of Adelaide, the State of South Australia, its agencies, instrumentalities, employees and contractors disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect to anything or the consequence of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document. © Government of South Australia. Published 2011. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-0-7590-0174-9 FIS 23014 iii iv MiniSteR foR URbAn DeveLopment, Planning AnD the City of ADelaiDe South Australia’s Limestone Coast is well-placed to build on its sound economy, with its strong townships, well established agricultural and fishing industries, and growing tourism performance. The region’s strengths are many: it is home to South Australia’s second largest city, Mount Gambier, and a range of well serviced commercial centres; it hosts several prestigious wine regions including the world famous Coonawarra, and it is one of South Australia’s most important primary production regions. The coastal towns and wine growing districts, in particular, are attractive tourist destinations for South Australians and interstate visitors. Importantly, the Limestone Coast is home to around 64,500 people who live and work in the region. The Limestone Coast Region Plan is designed to make sure this beautiful region remains a great place to live, work and visit for many years to come. This plan is one of seven regional volumes in the South Australian Planning Strategy. Based on a presumption of steady economic growth, the plans indicate where new housing, industry and commercial activity should be best located – and not located. The plan outlines the different roles and functions of towns and addresses important issues, such as the way industrial, commercial and residential areas connect and impact on each other. As with all of the regional plans, the challenge is to balance changes in the economy and population with the need to protect the region’s natural and historical features. These include unique ecosystems, landscapes and the built environment of towns. The plan identifies the potential effects of growth on these features and sets out land-use principles and policies for development that will support their protection. Ultimately, the plan is about helping the Limestone Coast to continue to grow and develop in a way which preserves everything the community values about the region. The Limestone Coast Region Plan was produced as a result of close collaboration between the State Government, local councils, regional development and natural resources management boards, local industry and the community. The result is a document which points the way to a future of well-managed growth, protected natural and industry assets, and strong communities. Hon John Rau MP Deputy Premier Minister for Urban Development, Planning and the City of Adelaide v The regional volumes of the South Australian Planning Strategy provide a link between broad, statewide planning aims and local, council-specific planning needs. They give direction on land use and development, outline where people are likely to live so that agencies can plan for the provision of services and infrastructure, and set out policies to manage changes in population and climate. Local councils, the state government and regional development and natural resources management bodies are working with communities and industry to develop effective strategies that will lead to a sustainable future. They recognise that population growth and economic prosperity must be balanced with preservation of the environment and retention of the heritage, history and character of regional communities to attract and retain skilled workers and for the benefit of future generations. TabLe of ContentS Chapter A OVERvieW 1 Background . 2 The role of the South Australian Planning Strategy . 2 The objectives of the regional planning strategies . 4 Alignment with state government policies . .4 How the regional volumes will work at regional and local government levels . 6 Consideration of Commonwealth environmental matters . 6 Planning for change in regional South Australia . 6 Chapter B THE ConteXt FOR the PLAn 11 The Limestone Coast region at a glance . 12 Key issues for the Limestone Coast region . 12 Chapter C THE viSion FOR the LiMeSTONE Co ASt Region 15 An integrated approach . 16 Chapter D PRinCiPLeS AnD PoLiCieS 19 Environment and culture . 22 Economic development . 34 Population and settlements . 46 Chapter E INFRAStRUCtURe AnD SeRviCe PROVISion 55 APPenDiCeS 59 Appendix 1 How the Plan was developed . 60 Appendix 2 Information about the Limestone Coast region . 62 Appendix 3 Contribution of the Plan to South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets . 74 Appendix 4 Related reports, strategies and plans. 76 gLoSSARy 79 List of maps A1 Planning regions covered in the South Australian Planning Strategy . 3 C1 An integrated vision for the Limestone Coast region . 17 D1 Environment and culture . 23 D2 Economic development . 35 D3 Population and settlements . 47 vii oveRvieW Chapter A 1 oveRvieW Chapter A Chapter A At a local level, the regional Background The role of the South volumes provide guidance The Limestone Coast Region Plan Australian Planning and resources for councils as (the Plan) guides future land use they undertake their Strategic Strategy OVE and development in the region. Management Plans and review The Limestone Coast Region Plan It has been prepared by the South and amend their Development R is one of seven regional volumes Plans. Development Plans contain VIE Australian Government, through that, together with The 30-Year the Department of Planning and the zones, maps and explicit W Plan for Greater Adelaide, make Local Government (DPLG), in rules that specify what can and up the South Australian Planning collaboration with the Limestone cannot be done with land in Strategy. The regions covered Coast Regional Development a council area. Councils must in the regional volumes of the Board1, the South East Local ensure that their Development Planning Strategy are: Eyre and Government Association, the Plans and Development Plan Western, Far North, Kangaroo South East Natural Resources Amendments are consistent Island2, Limestone Coast, Murray Management Board and the with the land-use policies and and Mallee, Yorke and Mid North3 seven councils of the region: directions of the relevant regional (refer to Map A1). volume. The regional volumes also Tatiara District Council In the regional volumes the state guide Development Plans and Kingston District Council government gives direction on Development Plan Amendments land use and development for the in unincorporated (out of council) Naracoorte Lucindale Council period 2010–2036. They set out areas, as undertaken by the District Council of Robe how the government proposes to Minister responsible for urban development and planning (the Wattle Range Council balance population and economic growth with the need to preserve Minister). City of Mount Gambier the environment and protect the The structure plans for the state’s District Council of Grant. heritage, history and character of major regional cities, including regional communities. They also Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Port Submissions received from help state and local government Lincoln, Port Pirie and Whyalla, industry, interest groups and the in planning for the provision of flow from the regional volumes. services and infrastructure, such community during the public The South Australian Planning as transport, health, schools, consultation period from March Strategy is a requirement of and aged care and community to May 2010 were valuable in section 22 of the Development Act facilities. improving and finalising the Plan. 1993. The Minister is responsible For more information about the for its preparation on behalf of the state government and for Limestone Coast Region Plan and 2 Kangaroo Island is part of the Fleurieu and how it was developed, please see Kangaroo Island SA Government Region but for reporting to the South Australian planning purposes it is covered in a separate Parliament annually on its Appendix 1. regional volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy. The Fleurieu Peninsula is covered in implementation. Each volume of The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide. the strategy must be reviewed at 3 The Yorke and Mid North regions are currently least every five years. 1 The Limestone Coast Regional Development covered in the South Australian Planning Strategy Board became Regional Development Australia as separate volumes. They will eventually be Limestone Coast in 2009–10. combined into one volume. 2 Planning regions covered in the South Australian Planning Strategy Map A1 3 Chapter A Strategic Infrastructure Plan for The objectives of the