Riverina Murray Plan...Wagga Wagga and Griffith. 6. Align local land use and tourism strategies with the Destination Management Plan for the Riverina Murray Destination Network. 7

2036Planning &Environment

Riverina Murray

PlanRegional

Implementation Plan 2017-2019

RIVERINA MURRAY REGIONAL PLAN 2036-Implementation Plan 2017-2019 © Crown Copyright 2017 NSW Government

DISCLAIMER While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of printing, the State of NSW, its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance or upon the whole or any part of this document.

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Cover image: Murray Valley National Park, Edward River, courtesy of Office of Environment and Heritage

For more information about Your Future Far West visit planning.nsw.gov.au

ContentsIntroduction 3

Implementation 4

Priority actions for 2017–2019 5

Governance 6

Riverina Murray Regional Plan Actions 8

3Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036-Implementation Plan 2017-20193

The Regional Plan sets out four goals for the Riverina Murray:

• A growing and diverse economy;

• A health environment with pristine waterways;

• Efficient transport and infrastructure networks; and

• Strong and connected communities.

The NSW Government has established new governance arrangements to oversee the implementation of the vision, goals and actions in the Regional Plan and the release of an annual monitoring report.

Purpose

Responsibility for implementing actions and monitoring the intended outcomes in the Regional Plan is shared with our important regional stakeholders, including Councils, other State agencies, service providers and the development industry. All stakeholders need to have a good understanding of the priorities and the deliverables.

The purpose of this Implementation Plan is to:

• ensure ongoing collaboration and agreement on the implementation of actions;

• assign accountabilities for the implementation of actions;

• explain the role of different groups and committees involved in implementation;

• guide the Riverina Murray Delivery Coordination and Monitoring Committee in its role of overseeing delivery of the Regional Plan; and

• inform the Annual Monitoring Report.

The Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036 is the NSW Government’s strategy for guiding land use planning decisions for the Riverina Murray region for the next 20 years.

The Riverina Murray region consists of 20 local government areas: Albury, Berrigan, Bland, Carrathool, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora and Wagga Wagga.

Introduction

Aerial of Leeton, courtesy of Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited

4 Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036 – Implementation Plan 2017-2019

The Regional Plan comprises four goals, 29 directions and 116 actions. The goals articulate the intended outcome; the directions identify the broad issues or policy areas that we need to focus on and the actions represent the steps we need to take or initiatives we need to introduce/ implement to achieve the goals. Actions are either implemented as strategies or as initiatives.

The NSW Government has identified a lead agency and relevant partner stakeholders for each action. The lead agency is responsible for project managing the various tasks required to ensure success. Key stakeholders are those agencies, councils or organisations considered important partners for implementation. The list of partners is not exclusive and additional stakeholders may be identified as implementation progresses.

Indicative timings for actions are as follows:

• Immediate – 0-2 years;

• Short term – 3-5 years;

• Medium term – 5-10 years;

• Long term – 10+ years.

Some actions are also designated as ‘ongoing’ to reflect their delivery being achieved through Local Environmental Plans, local planning strategies and other land use planning that are required to be consistent with the Regional Plan.

Each action in the Regional Plan will be implemented through a mix of mechanisms that reflect a range of ongoing strategies and catalyst initiatives that will deliver on the vision and directions in the Plan, including:

Strategies:

• Local planning directions issued under Section 117 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 by the Minister for Planning that ensure council planning strategies and controls are consistent with the Regional Plan;

• Integrated planning and reporting under the Local Government Act 1993; and

• Whole-of government policy alignment.

Progress on delivering these actions will be reviewed as part of any review or adjustment to the Regional Plan.

Catalyst initiatives:

• Matters that require partnership between Councils and the NSW Government;

• Publication of reports or data; and

• Regional collaboration across government, business, key stakeholders and the wider community for specific projects and processes.

ImplementationGoals, directions and actions

5Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036 – Implementation Plan 2017-2019

10 priority actions have been identified for implementation in 2017–2019. These actions respond to strong representations made in feedback to the draft Regional Plan or are areas where initial investigations or planning are required. These priorities will be overseen by the Riverina Murray Delivery Coordination and Monitoring Committee and will require a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, councils and stakeholders.

1. Develop a Regional Agricultural Development Strategy to identify and map important agricultural land, identify emerging opportunities, and give guidance and direction for local planning of agricultural development, complementing the existing Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land mapping.

2. Encourage agribusiness diversification by reviewing local plans and removing restrictive land use zonings and outdated land use definitions.

3. Provide opportunities to support agriculture in the planning system by providing better guidance on protecting agricultural land and managing the interface with other land uses.

4. Promote investment in advanced and value-added manufacturing by removing restrictive land use zonings and outdated land use definitions.

5. Establish health precincts around hospitals in the regional cities of Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith.

6. Align local land use and tourism strategies with the Destination Management Plan for the Riverina Murray Destination Network.

7. Prepare and implement a waterfront management strategy for the Murray River.

8. Identify the regional freight network (including key national, state, regional and local roads and the rail network).

9. Release guidelines to help councils plan and manage seasonal and itinerant worker accommodation.

10. Release regional urban design guidelines, to create healthy built environments and guide local decision-making.

Priorities for the Riverina Murray are growing and diversifying the economy, protecting environmental assets, providing efficient transport and infrastructure networks, and developing strong, resilient and connected communities. Actions to support these outcomes represent the immediate areas of focus.

Priority actions for 2017–2019


Delivery, Coordination and Monitoring CommitteeThe Riverina Murray Delivery, Coordination and Monitoring Committee has been established to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Regional Plan and brings together the agencies and organisations responsible for delivering the majority of the proposed outcomes under the Regional Plan. The focus of the Committee is implementation of the Regional Plan.

Representation on this Committee is about engaging relevant and operations-focused people from agencies and organisations responsible for delivering the majority of proposed outcomes under the Regional Plan.

The role of the Committee is to:

• oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Regional Plan;

• provide accountability for delivery of the Regional Plan;

• be kept informed of general progress and participate in delivery of priority actions;

• monitor and track the progress of implementing the Regional Plan;

• where impediments are identified, collaborate for resolution;

• provide a forum to discuss and resolve implementation issues or action delivery in a changing regional policy environment;

• provide high-level progress updates to the Riverina Murray Regional Leadership Group (via the Department of Premier and Cabinet);

• inform the preparation of the Annual Monitoring Report; and

• inform and participate in a five-year review of the Regional Plan.

Committee membership includes:

• Department of Planning and Environment

• Joint Organisations of Councils

• Department of Premier and Cabinet

• Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development

• Transport for NSW

Supporting Groups

The Committee can be supported by outcome-specific groups that bring together appropriate personnel (government, industry or community) to provide advice on particular issues or projects.

Existing governance framework

It is important to recognise the existing broader governance framework in operation within the region to ensure the newly established Committee complements current activity.

The Riverina Murray Regional Leadership Group, which is a Department of Premier and Cabinet-led initiative, is a body that supports close working relationships between NSW Government agencies and the Joint Organisation of Councils. The network encourages strategic collaboration, consultation, solution brokerage and engagement on regional priorities across government.

The Committee benefits from having access to the same agency and local government organisations that comprise the Regional Leadership Group. This is particularly important where the NSW Government ‘Fit for the Future’ reforms are changing the way Government works together on local priorities.

Effective governance arrangements are critical to successful delivery.

Governance


Links to other strategies

The NSW Government has in place, or is developing, a number of other strategies that will influence the implementation of the Regional Plan, including Murray-Murrumbidgee Regional Transport Plan, Newell Highway Corridor Strategy and Tumut to Hume Highway Corridor Strategy.

The Riverina Murray Delivery, Coordination and Monitoring Committee will have a role in ensuring that there is appropriate coordination across the implementation of these strategies. This applies particularly to those strategies that address housing, growth and infrastructure. It is anticipated that these strategies will complement the focus on growth in the Regional Plan.

Review mechanismsAnnual Monitoring Report

An Annual Monitoring Report will be prepared to monitor progress on implementation of the Regional Plan. This will report progress on goals, directions and actions, with a particular focus on the priorities that have been agreed with the Riverina Murray Delivery, Coordination and Monitoring Committee.

It will also list achievements and important regional highlights from the year. Implementation priorities will be revised and a new program for work will be identified for each subsequent year.

Regional Plan Review

The Regional Plan will be subject to a five-yearly review, or as necessary, to update and revise the strategies provided through the goals, directions and actions. A five-yearly review will revisit regional performance, challenges and opportunities and incorporate the most up- to- date information provided through the census process. The review of the Regional Plan will be informed by the Riverina Murray Delivery, Coordination and Monitoring Committee as well as the Annual Monitoring Reports.

Implementation Plan Update

The priorities identified in this Implementation Plan will be updated on an annual basis as part of the Annual Monitoring Report and will form the work program for each subsequent year. This will ensure that implementation of the Regional Plan remains current and responsive to regional conditions.

Riverina Murray

Delivery, Coordination

and Monitoring Committee

Purpose Oversee

implementation of the Riverina Murray

Regional Plan

Lead Department of Planning and Environment

Riverina Murray

Regional Leadership

Group

Purpose Drive the agreed,

shared priorities of Local and State

Government at a regional level

Lead Department of

Premier and Cabinet

Committee to provide high level progress updates to Regional Leadership Group

Committee may bring specific matters to the Regional Leadership Group when they:

• are regionally significant; and

• require a broader strategic imput and coordination from Regional Leadership Group members.

Figure 1: Regional Governance Framework


1 Responsibility: Indicates which organisation leads the investigation, assessment and decision-making for land use planning.

2 Partner: Indicates which organisation supports the lead and takes an active role in land use planning.

3 Timing: Immediate: 0-2 years, short term: 3-5 years, medium term: 5-10 years, long term: 10+ years, ongoing – strategies

Council: Includes all councils in the Riverina Murray region and the Regional Organisation of Councils; AANSW: Aboriginal Affairs NSW; DPE: Department of Planning and Environment; TfNSW: Transport for NSW; DISRD: Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development; DPC: Department of Premier and Cabinet; OEH: Office of Environment and Heritage; EPA: Environment Protection Authority; FACS: Department of Family and Community Services; LALC: Local Aboriginal Land Council; OLG: Office of Local Government; MDBA: Murray Darling Basin Authority; RFS: Rural Fire Services; CBC: Cross Border Commissioner; Education: Department of Education.

Riverina Murray Regional Plan Actions

1 Direction 1: Protect the region’s diverse and productive agricultural land

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance

Responsibility1 Partner2 Timing3

1.1

Develop a Regional Agricultural Development Strategy that:

• maps important agricultural land;

• identifies emerging opportunities for agriculture; and

• sets direction for local planning of agricultural development.

Initiative DPE DISRD Immediate

1.2

Protect important agricultural land identified in the regional agricultural development strategy from land use conflict and fragmentation, and manage the interface between important agricultural lands and other land uses.

Strategy Council DPE, DISRD Ongoing

1.3Minimise biosecurity risks by undertaking risk assessments, taking into account biosecurity plans and applying appropriate buffer areas.

Strategy Council DISRD Ongoing

2 Direction 2: Promote and grow the agribusiness sector

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


2.1Encourage agribusiness diversification by reviewing local plans and removing restrictive land use zonings and outdated land use definitions.

Initiative DPE DISRD, Council Immediate

2.2Provide opportunities to improve support to agriculture through better guidance on protecting agricultural land and managing the interface with other land uses.

Initiative DPE DISRD, Council Immediate

2.3

Facilitate investment in the agricultural supply chain by protecting assets, including freight and logistics facilities, from land use conflict arising from the encroachment of incompatible land uses.

Strategy Council DISRD, DPE Ongoing




3 Timing: immediate: 0-2 years, short term: 3-5 years, medium term: 5-10 years, long term: 10+ years, ongoing – strategies


99 Central Coast Regional Plan

4 Direction 4: Promote business activities in industrial and commercial areas

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


4.1

Encourage the sustainable development of industrial land to maximise the use of infrastructure and connectivity to the existing freight network.

Strategy Council TfNSW, DPE Ongoing

4.2Promote specialised employment clusters and co-location of related employment generators in local plans.


4.3

Protect industrial land, including in the regional cities (Bomen, Nexus and Tharbogang) from potential land use conflicts arising from inappropriate and incompatible surrounding land uses.

Strategy Council DPE Ongoing

4.4

Encourage the consolidation of isolated, unused or underused pockets of industrial zoned land to create new development opportunities over the long-term.

Strategy Council DPEMedium

Term

4.5

Monitor the supply and demand of employment and industrial land in regional cities to inform the planning and coordination of utility infrastructure to support new development.

Initative DPE Council Immediate

4.6

Accommodate future commercial and retail activity in existing commercial centres, unless there is a demonstrated need and positive social and economic benefits for the community.


3 Direction 3: Expand advanced and value-added manufacturing

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


3.1Promote investment in advanced and value-added manufacturing by removing restrictive land use zonings and outdated land use definitions in local plans.

Initiative DPE Council Immediate

3.2

Protect advanced and value-added manufacturing industries and associated infrastructure from land use conflict arising from the encroachment of inappropriate and incompatible land uses.


3.3

Encourage co-location of related advanced and value-added manufacturing industries to maximise efficiency and infrastructure use, decrease supply chain costs, increase economies of scale and attract further investment.







5 Direction 5: Support the growth of the health and aged care sectors

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


5.1Establish health precincts around hospitals in the regional cities of Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith.

Initiative Council DPE, Health Immediate

5.2Promote development of mixed-use facilities and precincts for research and accommodation, to meet the needs of the health and aged care service sectors.

Strategy Council DPE, Health Ongoing

5.3Facilitate multipurpose, flexible and adaptable health and education infrastructure that responds to community needs.

Strategy Council DPE, Health Medium Term

5.4Protect health facilities from the encroachment of inappropriate and incompatible land uses.

Strategy Council DPE, Health Ongoing

5.5Improve transport connections in cross-border communities to enhance access to health facilities.

Initiative TfNSWCouncil, Health,

DPEMedium Term

6 Direction 6: Promote the expansion of education and training opportunities

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


6.1

Work with stakeholders to identify opportunities to address skill shortages in the region through the development of tailored regional training programs with the region’s education providers.

Initiative DISRDCouncil,

EducationMedium Term

6.2

Promote development of education precincts around universities and education facilities to facilitate specialisation in rural studies and cater for increasing interest from international students.

Strategy Council DPE, Education Ongoing

6.3

Facilitate joint venture opportunities for the development of shared community/school facilities on school sites, including sporting fields, amenities, parking, community halls, child care, arts and library facilities.

Initiative Education DPE, Council Medium Term

4.7

Require proposals for new retail development to demonstrate how they:

• respond to retail supply and demand needs;

• respond to innovations in the retail sector;

• maximise the use of existing infrastructure (including public transport and community facilities) commensurate with the scale of the proposal; and

• enhance the value of the public realm.

Strategy Council DPE, TfNSW Ongoing






11 Central Coast Regional Plan

9 Direction 9: Support the forestry industry

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


9.1Facilitate long-term requirements for plantation forest land and opportunities for industry hubs and transport network improvements.

Initiative DPE Council, DISRDMedium

Term

9.2Encourage forestry processing operations in appropriate locations that are protected from the encroachment of other sensitive land uses.


9.3

Protect native and plantation forests and processing industries predominantly in the Snowy Valleys and Greater Hume area from the encroachment of inappropriate and incompatible land uses.

Strategy CouncilDPE, Forestry

Corporation of NSW

Ongoing

7 Direction 7: Promote tourism opportunities

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


7.1

Align local land use strategies and tourism strategies with the Destination Management Plan for the Riverina Murray Destination Network.

Initiative CouncilDestination

NSWImmediate

7.2Enable opportunities for tourism development and associated land uses in local plans.

Strategy CouncilDestination NSW, DPE

Medium Term

7.3

Target experiential tourism opportunities and tourism management frameworks to promote a variety of accommodation options.

Strategy CouncilDPE, Destination

NSWOngoing

7.4

Continue to implement actions and invest in boating infrastructure priorities identified in the Murray–Riverina Regional Boating Plan to improve boating safety, boat storage and waterway access.

Initiative TfNSW Short Term

8Direction 8: Enhance the economic self-determination of Aboriginal

communities

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


8.1

Work with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils to conduct a strategic assessment of their landholdings to identify priority sites with economic development potential for further investigation.

Initiative DPELALC, AANSW,

CouncilShort Term

8.2Identify priority sites that can create a pipeline of potential projects that the Local Aboriginal Land Councils may wish to consider.

Initiative DPELALC, AANSW,

CouncilMedium

Term






10Direction 10: Sustainably manage water resources for economic

opportunities

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


10.1Implement the Murray–Darling Basin Plan to ensure a balance of social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Initiative DISRDCouncil, DPE,

OEHMedium

Term

10.2

Finalise water resource plans for rivers and groundwater systems as part of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan and implement water sharing plans.

Initiative DISRD Council, DPEMedium

Term

10.3Plan for high–water use industries in locations where water access and security is available.


10.4

Protect land in the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Lowbidgee irrigation areas from the encroachment of inappropriate and incompatible land uses that limit the economic potential of these areas.


11Direction 11: Promote the diversification of energy supplies through

renewable energy generation

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


11.1Encourage renewable energy projects by identifying locations with renewable energy potential and ready access to connect with the electricity network.

Initiative CouncilOEH, DPE,

DISRDMedium

Term

11.2Promote best practice community engagement and maximise community benefits from all utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Strategy DPECouncil, OEH,

DISRDOngoing

11.3Promote appropriate smaller-scale renewable energy projects using bioenergy, solar, wind, small-scale hydro, geothermal or other innovative storage technologies.

Strategy Council DISRD, OEHMedium

Term






12 Direction 12: Sustainably manage mineral resources

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


12.1

Consult with the NSW Department of Industry (Division of Resources and Energy) when assessing applications for land use changes (strategic land use planning, rezoning and planning proposals) and new development or expansions.


12.2Protect areas of mineral and energy resources potential in the region through local land use strategies and local plans.


12.3Protect infrastructure that facilitates mining industries from development that could affect current or future extraction.

Strategy Council, TfNSW DISRD, DPE Ongoing

12.4

Support communities that are transitioning out of mining operations to manage changes in population and demand for service delivery, and explore new economic opportunities.

InitiativeDPC (mining

taskforce)DISRD, DPE,

CouncilLong Term

13 Direction 13: Manage and conserve water resources for the environment

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


13.1

Locate, design, construct and manage new developments to minimise impacts on water catchments, including downstream and groundwater sources.


13.2

Minimise the impacts of development on fish habitat, aquaculture and waterways (including watercourses, wetlands and riparian lands) and meet the Water Quality and River Flow Objectives.


13.3

Adopt an integrated approach to water cycle management across the region, taking into account climate change, water security, sustainable demand and growth, and the natural environment.







14 Direction 14: Manage land uses along key river corridors

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


14.1Prepare and implement a waterfront management strategy for the Murray River.

Initiative DPECouncil, DISRD,

OEH, CBC, MDBA

Immediate

14.2Retain riverfront setback provisions in local plans and limit ribbon development along the Murray River.

Strategy CouncilDPE, DISRD,

OEHOngoing

14.3Consider and assess the potential impacts of new development on biodiversity along river corridors, including the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, and manage offsets.

Strategy CouncilDPE, DISRD,

OEHOngoing

15 Direction 15: Protect and manage the region’s many environmental assets

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


15.1 Protect high environmental value assets through local plans. Strategy Council DPE, OEH Ongoing

15.2Minimise potential impacts arising from development in areas of high environmental value, and consider offsets or other mitigation mechanisms for unavoidable impacts.

Strategy Council DPE, OEH Ongoing

15.3Improve the quality of, and access to, information relating to high environmental values.

Initiative OEH DPE, Council Short Term

15.4Protect Travelling Stock Reserves in local land use strategies.

Initiative DISRD DPE, CouncilMedium

Term






16 Direction 16: Increase resilience to natural hazards and climate change

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


16.1

Locate developments, including new urban release areas, away from areas of known high biodiversity value, high bushfire and flooding hazards, contaminated land, and designated waterways, to reduce the community’s exposure to natural hazards.

Strategy CouncilDPE, OEH, RFS,

EPAOngoing

16.2Incorporate the findings of the Riverina Murray Enabling Regional Adaptation Project to inform future land use and planning decisions.

Strategy OEH Council, DPE Ongoing

16.3Adopt a whole-of-government approach to information exchange on climate change adaptation and preparedness.

Strategy OEH Council, DPE Ongoing

16.4Respond to climate-related risks by applying and communicating fine-scale climate information to support decision-making.

Strategy OEH Council Ongoing

16.5Implement the requirements of the NSW Floodplain Development Manual by updating flood studies and floodplain risk management plans.

Strategy Council OEH, DPE Ongoing

16.6Incorporate the best available hazard information in local plans, consistent with, current flood studies, flood planning levels, modelling and floodplain risk management plans.

Strategy Council DPE, OEH Ongoing

16.7Update and share current information on environmental assets and natural hazards with councils to inform planning decisions.

Strategy OEHDPE, RFS, Council

Ongoing

16.8Manage the risks of disturbance in areas affected by naturally occurring asbestos.

Strategy Council OLG, EPA Short Term






18 Direction 18: Enhance road and rail freight links

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


18.1Identify the regional freight network (including key national, State, regional and local roads and the rail network).

Initiative Council TfNSW, DPE Immediate

18.2Prioritise projects that address impediments to the regional freight network to improve capacity and opportunities in the network.

Initiative TfNSW CouncilMedium

Term

18.3Assess the viability of local bypasses and identify and protect future bypass corridors in strategies.

Initiative TfNSW CouncilMedium

Term

18.4Identify, coordinate and prioritise the delivery of local and regional road projects that help support the regional freight network.

Initiative Council TfNSW, DPE Short Term

18.5Protect freight and transport corridors from the encroachment of incompatible land uses.

Strategy Council TfNSW, DPE Ongoing

17Direction 17: Transform the region into the eastern seaboard’s freight and

logistics hub

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


17.1Strategically locate freight and logistics hubs to support further industry development.


17.2

Support the ongoing performance of existing freight and logistics facilities, particularly those in the regional cities of Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith.


17.3Protect freight and logistics facilities from the encroachment of inappropriate land uses.


17.4

Target opportunities for new freight and logistics facilities in areas that maximise the use of available industrial land, access to transport and specific labour market requirements.







19 Direction 19: Support and protect ongoing access to air travel

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


19.1Protect airports from the encroachment of incompatible development, including airports in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Griffith and Narrandera.


19.2Support the continued allocation of 20 per cent of flight slots at Sydney Airport to regional NSW services and seek a greater allocation in peak periods.

Initiative DISRD DPC, TfNSW Short Term

20 Direction 20: Identify and protect future transport corridors

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


20.1Work with the Australian Government to finalise planning, engineering design and assessment of the Melbourne–Brisbane Inland Rail Corridor.

Initiative TfNSW DPE, Council Short Term

20.2Work with the Australian Government to plan for future high-speed rail corridors in the region.

Initiative TfNSW DPE, Council Long Term

21 Direction 21: Align and protect utility infrastructure investment

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


21.1Monitor development and ensure that infrastructure is responsive to investment opportunities.

Strategy CouncilDPE,

Infrastructure Providers

Short Term

21.2Investigate opportunities for new funding models for utility infrastructure.

Initiative DISRDCouncil, DPE, Infrastructure

Providers

Medium Term

21.3Protect the function of the defence communication facilities in Wagga Wagga, Lockhart, Federation and Narrandera.

Initiative CouncilDPE,

Department of Defence

Short Term

21.4Provide sufficient space for cemeteries and crematoria by identifying appropriate sites in local land use strategies.

Strategy DISRD Council, DPEMedium

Term






22 Direction 22: Promote the growth of regional cities and local centres

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


22.1Coordinate infrastructure delivery across residential and industrial land in the regional cities.

Strategy DPECouncil, TfNSW,

Infrastructure Providers

Ongoing

22.2Consider the role, function and relationship between regional cities and centres in local land use strategies.


22.3Protect strategic defence establishments in Albury and Wagga Wagga and encourage compatible adjoining land uses.


22.4Improve transport in regional cities and their connections with regional communities.

Initiative TfNSW Council Short Term

22.5

Work with local councils, local transport operators and community transport providers to identify opportunities and plan for a range of flexible transport options/models to meet specific local needs.


22.6Improve access to regional cities and connections out of the region.


23 Direction 23: Build resilience in towns and villages

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


23.1 Update the Strengthening Rural Communities: Resource Kit. Initiative DPC Council Short Term

23.2Work with councils to better understand the drivers of population change and implications for local communities.

Initiative DPE Council Short Term

23.3Conduct a pilot State agency and local government area roundtable meeting with councils in the REROC area.

Initiative Council DPC, DPE Short Term

23.4

Build drought resilience in rural communities by providing targeted support to primary producers and communities to improve preparedness and improve decision-making.

Initiative DISRD CouncilMedium

Term






25 Direction 25: Build housing capacity to meet demand

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


25.1Prepare local housing strategies that provide housing choice and affordable housing.

Strategy Council DPE, FACSMedium

Term

25.2Facilitate increased housing choice, including townhouses, villas and apartments in regional cities and locations close to existing services and jobs.


25.3Align infrastructure planning with land release areas to provide adequate infrastructure.

Strategy Council DPE, TfNSW Short Term

25.4Locate higher-density development close to town centres to capitalise on existing infrastructure and to provide increased housing choice.


24Direction 24: Create a connected and competitive environment for

cross-border communities

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


24.1

Work with the Victorian Government and cross-border councils to examine:

• barriers to and enablers of economic, housing and jobs growth;

• service delivery models; and

• infrastructure delivery, including transport infrastructure.

Initiative CBCDPE, TfNSW,

CouncilMedium

Term

24.2Work with the Victorian Government and adjoining Victorian councils to develop a cross-border land and housing monitor.

Initiative DPE CouncilMedium

Term

24.3Examine opportunities to better standardise development provisions in NSW and Victoria, particularly for seniors and affordable housing developments.

Initiative DPE CouncilMedium

Term

24.4Make travel across the NSW–Victorian border easier and more convenient for cross-border communities.

Initiative TfNSW DPE, CouncilMedium

Term






27 Direction 27: Manage rural residential development

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


27.1

Enable new rural residential development only where it has been identified in a local housing strategy prepared by council and approved by the Department of Planning and Environment.


27.2

Locate new rural residential areas:

• in close proximity to existing urban settlements to maximise the efficient use of existing infrastructure and services, including roads, water, sewerage and waste services and social and community infrastructure;

• to avoid or minimise the potential for land use conflicts with productive, zoned agricultural land and natural resources; and

• to avoid areas of high environmental, cultural and heritage significance, important agricultural land or areas affected by natural hazards.


26 Direction 26: Provide greater housing choice

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


26.1

Remove planning barriers to provide a range of low-care and independent seniors’ accommodation options across the region.


26.2

Promote opportunities for seniors and disability housing by reviewing the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004 to identify opportunities to make it more applicable for private developers in regional areas.


26.3

Promote opportunities for retirement villages, nursing homes and similar housing needs of seniors in local land use strategies.


26.4Locate new housing for seniors in close proximity to existing services and facilities, and on land free from hazards.

Strategy Council DPE, RFS, OEH Ongoing

26.5

Promote ageing-in-place by adopting elements of Livable Housing Australia’s Livable Housing Design Guidelines in development controls for housing, where possible.


26.6Release guidelines to help councils plan and manage seasonal and itinerant worker accommodation.

Initiative DPE Council Immediate

26.7Promote incentives to encourage greater housing affordability, including a greater mix of housing in new release areas.

Strategy Council DPE, FACS Short Term






28 Direction 28: Deliver healthy built environments and improved urban design

ActionInitiative or

Strategy

Governance


28.1Release regional urban design guidelines to create healthy built environments and guide local decision-making.

Initiative DPE

Office of the Government

Architect, Council

Immediate

28.2

Promote high-quality open spaces that support physical activity, including walking and cycling networks, in the design of new communities.


28.3Reflect local built form, heritage and character in new housing developments.


28.4 Incorporate water sensitive urban design in new development. Strategy Council DPE Ongoing

27.3Manage land use conflict that can result from cumulative impacts of successive development decisions.


29 Direction 29: Protect the region’s Aboriginal and historic heritage

Action Initiative

or Strategy

Governance


29.1

Undertake and implement heritage studies, including regional Aboriginal cultural heritage studies, to inform local land use strategies.

Initiative CouncilAANSW, DPE,

LALCShort Term

29.2Consult with Aboriginal people and the broader community to identify heritage values at the strategic planning stage.

Strategy CouncilAANSW, DPE,

LALCShort Term

29.3

Increase heritage protection and revitalise main streets and town centres, through community education and development incentives in local plans.

Initiative Council OEH, DPE Short Term

29.4Recognise and conserve heritage assets that have community significance in local plans.

Strategy Council OEH, DPE Ongoing

29.5Provide resources for heritage advice to inform planning processes.

Initiative OEH Council, DPE Short Term

For more information about the Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036 visit planning.nsw.gov.au

Documents

Riverina Murray Plan...Wagga Wagga and Griffith. 6. Align local land use and tourism strategies with the Destination Management Plan for the Riverina Murray Destination Network. 7