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Flinders Ranges and Outback Integrated Strategic Tourism Plan

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Final <strong>Plan</strong><br />

<strong>Plan</strong>ning Policy That Facilitates Sustainable <strong>Tourism</strong> Development<br />

12.0 PLANNING POLICY THAT FACILITATES SUSTAINABLE TOURISM<br />

DEVELOPMENT<br />

12.1 The Role of <strong>Plan</strong>ning Policy<br />

<strong>Plan</strong>ning policy has an important role to play when setting new directions for the tourism<br />

industry. This is due to the likelihood that most tourism operators will, at some point in time,<br />

have to ‘run the gauntlet’ of the planning system <strong>and</strong> submit their plans to either the local<br />

Council or the State Government’s Development Assessment Commission. At this point,<br />

there is a chance that even the most innovative <strong>and</strong> exciting tourism proposal can be<br />

halted in its tracks because it has not been envisaged in the ‘Desired Character Statement’<br />

within the Development <strong>Plan</strong> or is listed as ‘non-complying’ within the zone. Therefore, it is<br />

necessary for planning policy to reflect the latest trends in the tourism industry while also<br />

acknowledging the aspirations of the community for their local area or region.<br />

When developing planning policy, it is critically important that accurate definitions be<br />

developed. The SATC Discussion Paper ‘Sustainable <strong>Tourism</strong> Development in Regional South<br />

Australia’ (2002), supports the introduction of a ‘tourist accommodation’ definition. The term<br />

is already referred to in many Council Development <strong>Plan</strong>s <strong>and</strong> is associated with a diverse<br />

range of accommodation such as nature retreat, hiker’s huts, farm stays or bed <strong>and</strong><br />

breakfast. Tourist accommodation could be defined as a: “Building or group of buildings<br />

providing temporary accommodation for visitors or travellers <strong>and</strong> may include an ancillary<br />

restaurant, office, sales facility, staff accommodation, conference facility <strong>and</strong>/or a<br />

manager’s/caretaker’s residence, but does not include a dwelling, hotel or caravan park”.<br />

This acknowledges that tourism development often needs to be about more than just<br />

accommodation <strong>and</strong> integrate a range of allied activities.<br />

It is equally important for planning policy to provide guidance on the location <strong>and</strong> design of<br />

tourism development. This is especially true for areas of environmental, heritage or cultural<br />

significance – such as the <strong>Flinders</strong> <strong>Ranges</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Outback</strong> areas. Simply put, regions with these<br />

attributes attract tourists <strong>and</strong>, therefore, attract tourism development. However, an<br />

inappropriately located or designed tourism development can have a serious, negative<br />

impact on the attraction <strong>and</strong> quickly result in a decline in the numbers of tourists.<br />

Alternatively, a well-designed <strong>and</strong> sited facility can add value to an attraction, reduce<br />

negative impacts <strong>and</strong> lead to an increase in the number of tourists. It is the role of planning<br />

policy to ensure that this outcome is achieved, supported by competent site analysis <strong>and</strong> an<br />

intelligent design response to issues <strong>and</strong> opportunities.<br />

12.2 The Structure <strong>and</strong> Role of the <strong>Plan</strong>ning System<br />

The State’s <strong>Plan</strong>ning System has three major components – the Development Act <strong>and</strong><br />

associated Regulations; the <strong>Plan</strong>ning Strategy; <strong>and</strong> local Development <strong>Plan</strong>s. The<br />

Development Act provides for the establishment of the <strong>Plan</strong>ning Strategy <strong>and</strong> local<br />

Development <strong>Plan</strong>s. It also provides local Councils <strong>and</strong> the State’s Development Assessment<br />

Urban & Regional <strong>Plan</strong>ning Solutions<br />

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