Community planning services in Glenelg Shire Council : 1998-2005 ...

Did the council have appropriate management arrangements for the delivery of its planning services? 83
The council completed its second triennial review of its Municipal Strategic
Statement (MSS) in February 2005. The review involved extensive
consultation with key stakeholders and the community. As part of this
consultation process, a number of emerging issues were identified and their
impact on land use and development in the shire was assessed. The council
has yet to report the findings of this review to the Minister for Planning as
required by section 12B (5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Figure 4B outlines the key findings from the most recent MSS review.
FIGURE 4B: MUNICIPAL STRATEGY STATEMENT REVIEW – KEY FINDINGS
Consultation on current MSS
Heavy weight given to economic development at expense of heritage and environment decisions.
Objectives, strategies and policies not applied in planning decisions.
Destruction of native vegetation not addressed.
Planning policy failed to achieve conservation objectives.
Need policy to stop ad hoc submissions, especially along road frontages and coastal areas.
Emerging issues
Development pressures present significant challenges in terms of managing urban growth; rural land use;
coastal protection; economic and social development; and environmental, heritage and cultural
preservation.
The council needs a robust strategic base to guide future planning and development.
Performance of MSS
Consistent with state planning policy.
Local planning policy requires review. Policies need to clearly outline the council’s position and provide
practical guidance in the day-to-day decision-making on matters in the planning scheme.
Gaps in scheme: errors in heritage overlay; planning policy recognition of Aboriginal cultural heritage;
coastal planning and application of development plan overlay.
Source: Glenelg Shire Council, MSS 3-year Review Report and Consultation Reports, February
2005.
The council, through its current MSS review, has identified the need for
further work to improve the planning scheme, including the redrafting of the
MSS. The council has prepared a detailed program to undertake this work.
4.3.2 Improving the planning scheme: How the council
approves amendments
As part of its broader strategic framework, the council is responsible for
making sure that the planning scheme works and complies with both local
and state planning policies. To do this, the council must make timely changes
to the planning scheme to improve its operation, address issues which come
to the council’s attention, and correct any mistakes and ambiguities.