Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Environment
2036
ISBN 978-0-6481534-0-5
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New England North West Regional Plan 2036, PO Box 949, Tamworth, NSW 2340
Vision 8
Direction 5: Grow New England North West as the renewable energy hub of NSW 25
Direction 13: Expand emerging industries through freight and logistics connectivity 44
Direction 23: Collaborate with Aboriginal communities to respect and protect Aboriginal culture and heritage 58
Glossary 72
End Notes 75
Strategically located between Sydney and Priorities for each council are set out in Local
Brisbane, the high-quality transport networks to Government Narratives, which will guide further
Newcastle, Sydney and South East Queensland investigations and implementation.
will provide ready access to domestic and
international markets and services. The Plan is the product of extensive consultation
with councils, stakeholders and the wider
Regional cities and centres will provide opportunities community, conducted around the draft Plan
for new jobs, housing, education and health which was released in 2016. The feedback from
services to create healthy and thriving regional this consultation is integral to this final New
communities supported by a vibrant and dynamic England North West Regional Plan 2036.
economy.
more than $240 million to secure water for the region with $213 million to upgrade Keepit
Dam and $31 million for Chaffey Dam;
$17 million to upgrade Moree East Public School and Narrabri Public School; and
9,700
additional dwellings required (2036)
13,800
more people 97,950
by 2036 11%
88,250
188,350 202,150
2016 2036
2016 2036
65 years
26% and over
202,150
Population $2.1b
under 74%
65 years
$50m oldest
Regional Australian
economic benefit University
Figure 1: New England North West Delivery, Coordination and Monitoring Committee
Guiding investment
Listening to the
community
The New England North West Regional Plan will The Plan will be reviewed and adjusted every five
replace the current strategic plan for the region, years, or as necessary, to help realise the vision
the New England North West Strategic Regional for 2036.
Land Use Plan.
The Committee will support the preparation of Local growth management strategies will
local growth management strategies that be developed by councils and endorsed
translate the vision and guiding principles of this by the Department of Planning and
Plan into more detailed priorities for growth and Environment prior to preparing a local
change that can applied locally. environmental plan to rezone land for
residential, rural residential, commercial
and industrial land uses. Guidelines will be
Accountability prepared to help councils develop local
The Committee will monitor and review progress growth management strategies and to
towards achieving the vision and goals for 2036 ensure the strategies reflect the directions
to help prioritise infrastructure delivery and and actions of this Plan.
influence policy settings.
Regional City
Strategic Centre
Centre
Inter-regional Connection
Railway
Regional Airport
Education Precinct
Hospital
Export/Trade Corridor
Water Storage
Waterway
State Forest
regional economy
A key component to New England
North Wests success
The New England North Wests landscapes range Agricultural Output Per Person
from cooler and more temperate tablelands 2013
to the western slopes and plains. These diverse
landscapes underpin productive agriculture and rich
biodiversity. Driving one of NSWs strongest regional
economies and one of the States top agricultural
$204,918
producing regions. Intensive agriculture and
agribusiness is growing, capitalising on increased
demand from Asia. 36%
$131,291
From this strong economic base and the strategic
position between Sydney and South East Queensland,
new opportunities for employment will be offered in
emerging renewable energy and green technology
industries.
Global A Leading
+ + + =
Strong Innovative
Productive Access and 21st Century
Economic New
Landscapes Competitive- Regional
Centres Industries
ness Economy
Gross value of
Agricultural Commodities
Green Industries 2016-2036
$890m
Green industries are businesses, facilities, Meat
services or technologies that provide sustainable
alternatives or solutions to environmental
challenges. Examples include bottle recycling 42% $127m
plants, waste management and treatment or Livestock Products
research and development for clean energy.
$2.1b 6% $34m
Australian Recycled Plastics Total 2% Fruit and
Australian Recycled Plastics in Narrabri is a GVACP 3% Vegetables
regional green industry success story. The
facility processes recycled plastic waste that it
47% $55m
obtains by back loading empty cotton Other Crops
haulage trucks returning from Newcastle and
Sydney. Each week, the facility turns 50 tonnes
of recycled plastic bottles into a flake material $1b
used in products from supermarket meat trays Broadacre Crops
to outdoor decking material. The growing
business now employs 42 people.
GVACP: Gross Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced
$686m 15%
Education
and Training
8% $8.9b
$677m Total gross
Health Care and 8% regional
Social Assistance 59% Other
product
5%
$481m 5%
Public Administration
and Safety
$481m
Manufacturing
Above: Farm irrigation, Gunnedah New England North West Regional Plan 2036 19
Direction 3: Protect and Identifying suitable areas for smaller agricultural
holdings that can support activities (such as
enhance productive horticulture) will minimise land use incompatibility
agricultural lands and prevent ad hoc fragmentation of land.
Councils can also identify certain agricultural
Fertile and productive agricultural land needs to
areas for inclusion in the primary production small
be protected for long-term food and fibre security
lot zone.
and to capitalise on increasing demand for
agricultural products. Highly productive agriculture Biosecurity risks increase as a result of trade, the
requires ready access to water (including spread of feral and exotic species, tourism, climate
irrigation), high-quality soils and suitable climate. variability and competing priorities for resources,
can threaten agricultural land.3 Biosecurity risks
The NSW Governments Biophysical Strategic
can be minimised through risk assessments, taking
Agricultural Land mapping identifies agricultural
into account biosecurity plans and applying
land that is significant to the State (see Figure 4).
appropriate buffer areas.
There is an opportunity to complement this
mapping with regional-scale mapping that reflects Forests support tourism and recreation activities,
regional climatic and geological conditions. and provide wood products. They play a strong
environmental role in terms of water quality, native
Mapping of important agricultural land will be
habitat and connectivity with other forests, such as
prepared to inform land use planning decisions.
national parks. Planning for long-term timber
This mapping will be supported by guidelines that
supplies must balance the value and compatibility
outline matters for consideration when determining
of agricultural lands with plantation forestry.
development on or in proximity to important
Protecting timber supplies, processing facilities
agricultural land.
and related forestry industries from encroachment
Agricultural land has historically been protected of incompatible land uses is essential.
by limiting rural land subdivision. Minimum
Travelling Stock Reserves move livestock and
subdivision standards for rural zones will be used
provide supplementary grazing areas in times of
to enhance the viability of the agricultural sector,
drought. These reserves can contain significant
and maximise production efficiencies by limiting
biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage
land fragmentation. Limiting the development of
values and must be carefully managed to balance
dwellings that are not a primary residence or
the needs of travelling stock and the conservation
associated with agriculture will also help to avoid
of native species.
potential conflicts with agricultural activities.
INPUT PROCESSING
FARMER TRANSPORT
MARKET
agreed between council and the 3.5 Minimise biosecurity risks by undertaking
Department of Planning and risk assessments, considering biosecurity
Environment; and plans and applying appropriate buffer areas.
consistent with the guidelines for 3.6 Facilitate long-term requirements for
councils on important agricultural land. plantation forest land and processing
facilities by restricting the encroachment of
3.3 Manage the interface between important incompatible land uses.
agricultural lands and other land uses by
incorporating controls in local plans that 3.7 Finalise a NSW Travelling Stock Reserve
manage compatibility between land uses, State planning framework to guide the
and undertaking land use conflict risk management of travelling stock reserves
assessments where potential conflicts are and help guide the development of regional
identified through rezoning processes. travelling stock reserve management plans.
Regional City
Strategic Centre
Centre
Highway
Major-Regional Road
Railway
State Forest
Water Storage
Waterway
Coal Reserves Mining Production Value
2017 2006-2014
$1b
of State reserves
(2006) (2014)
New England North Wests resources provide Information about the location of current
the raw materials for major infrastructure projects, exploration and mining production titles in NSW,
new housing, and industrial and agricultural explanations of mining and production titles, and
businesses. These resources must not be the roles of community and government in the
affected or sterilised by the encroachment of decision-making process for mining and
sensitive land uses. Mining activities need to be resources projects is available at
undertaken sensitively to minimise negative www.commonground.nsw.gov.au.
impacts on the environment, important
agricultural land, neighbouring businesses and The NSW Government has developed a draft
the community. Strategic Release Framework for Coal and
Petroleum (including coal seam gas). This
Mineral resource extraction can benefit and identifies the process for the controlled, strategic
affect communities in different ways during the release and competitive allocation of new
mining lifecycle. The sustainable management of exploration licences. Under the draft Framework,
mineral resources must consider and balance new exploration licences would only be issued
varying impacts to produce sustainable after an assessment of resource potential;
economic, social and environmental outcomes. economic, environmental and social factors; and
community issues. The draft Framework is a
transparent and informed approach, consistent
with the NSW Governments broader land use
resources strategy.
6.2 Prepare a regional economic development The education and training sector will continue to
strategy that promotes opportunities for the attract and retain younger residents who will
diversification of the economic base by deliver services to the growing and ageing
identifying key enabling infrastructure and population.
other policy interventions to unlock growth.
The NSW Department of Education is reviewing its
approach to asset and network planning through a
strategic plan to 2036 to identify schooling needs
and improve eduction delivery.
The University of New England is also building on are consistent with the Interim
its strong agricultural, agribusiness, education and Settlement Planning Principles at
medical focus to provide specialist courses that Appendix A;
can capitalise on global industry and workforce
changes. respond to retail supply and demand
and innovations in the retail sector;
The National Broadband Network will enhance
digital connections and facilitate innovation, maximise existing infrastructure
knowledge-intensive industries and small (including public transport and
businesses. It will also give people more options to community facilities) commensurate
enjoy the regions lifestyle, while accessing wider with the scale of the proposal; and
markets. The growth of knowledge industries will
enhance the value of the public
drive demand for purpose-built business facilities
realm.
in well-located accessible areas that offer the
benefits of agglomeration, corporate prestige,
amenities and proximity to cost-effective labour. 7.4 Facilitate economic activity around industry
anchors, such as health and education
Actions facilities, through planning controls that
encourage clusters of complementary uses
7.1 Develop local growth management and address infrastructure needs.
strategies and use local plans to reinforce
regional cities and centres as the primary 7.5 Promote an appropriate mix of land uses
locations for commerce, housing, tourism, and prevent the encroachment of sensitive
social activity and regional services. uses on employment land through local
planning controls.
7.2 Focus retail and commercial activities in
central business precincts and develop 7.6 Deliver an adequate supply of employment
placemaking focused planning strategies land through local growth management
for centres. strategies and local environmental plans.
7.3 Develop proposals for new commercial 7.7 Ensure employment land delivery is
centres only where they: maintained through an annual New
England North West Housing and Land
demonstrate positive social and Monitor.
economic benefits for the wider
community;
One of the
$740m worlds largest
Regional Economy
agricultural events
Highest tourism expenditure 100,000 3,000
in inland NSW visitors companies
Direction 9: Coordinate Precinct plans for each city will ensure development
is well placed, fosters local character and maximises
growth in the cities of place-based opportunities. High-quality design
Armidale and Tamworth outcomes will be a priority for each city, particularly
Armidale and Tamworth will accommodate over for high-order facilities, landmark developments
half of the regions population by 2036. Each city and gateway sites. Libraries, civic centres, parks
has assets that support a growing population and and emergency service facilities can be an
the provision of services to the wider region. exemplar for best practice design, energy and water
conservation and place-making.
Development of accommodation, health, education,
food and entertainment will add further value to These holistic plans will be supplemented with
city economies. These opportunities will be activation plans, developed collaboratively
magnified by upgrades to airport infrastructure, between councils and the Department of Planning
promoting greater visitation to the cities and New and Environment to provide a framework for
England North West. Armidale and Tamworth will immediate opportunities and coordinated
continue to develop their own distinct identity. investment. The activation plans will provide a
design-led approach to support the city centres as
The expansion of Armidale Hospital, greater vibrant focal points of community activity.
enrolments and services at University of New
England and place-based planning initiatives will
be the catalysts for development of Armidale city
Actions
centre. New residents will be attracted to Armidales 9.1 Deliver precinct plans to provide a holistic
employment opportunities, health services, vision and planning framework for the
education, lifestyle, art and cultural facilities. regional cities.
Tamworths higher-order health facilities and 9.2 Prepare activation plans for the regional cities.
regional sports and entertainment precinct will
support residents and attract visitors for major
events. Tourism and community life will be further
bolstered by retail and commerce along Peel Street
and recreation at Bicentennial Park.
Gibraltar Ranges
Gwydir Wetlands
Kings Plain National Park
Washpool National Park
Moree Artesian Baths
Guy Fawkes National Park
Lake Copeton
and Ebor Falls
Mount Kaputar National Park New England and
Cunnawarra National Parks
Warrabah National Park
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
Mount Borah and Wollomombi Falls
Lake Keepit State Park Werrikimbe National Park
Gunnedah Koala Colony Chaffey Dam
Lake Goran
Regional City
Strategic Centre
Centre
Ramsar Wetland
State Forest
Water Storage
Waterway
Mapping high Projected climatic changes
environmental value areas in New England North West
A range of criteria was used to map high The region will experience:
environmental values land including:
increased occurrence of heatwaves,
existing conservation areas, hot days and fire risk;
including national parks and
reserves, declared wilderness areas, potential for increases in seasonal
Crown reserves dedicated for extremes, particularly rainfall events
environmental protection and and droughts;
conservation, and flora reserves;
increased autumn rainfall and
native vegetation of high decreased winter rainfall in both the
conservation value, including near and far future, with rainfall
vegetation types that have been patterns to vary across the region;
over-cleared or occur within
increased short and intense rainfall
over-cleared landscapes, old growth
events, resulting in increased
forests and rainforests;
localised flooding from smaller
threatened ecological communities urban streams and urban drainage
and key habitats; systems;
This data will continue to be updated as The CSIRO and Department of Primary
information becomes available. Interested Industries are researching how best to adapt
parties should contact the Office of agricultural production to climate change,
Environment and Heritage for current data including breeding and evaluating new
and further support. plant varieties for agriculture and forestry.
Liverpool Plains
The region is projected to experience an increase 12.4 Encourage councils where naturally
in average and severe bushfires in the future. occurring asbestos occurs to map the
Accurate up-to-date information can reduce extent of asbestos and develop an asbestos
bushfire risk. Maps of bushfire prone land prepared policy to manage associated risks.
by councils identify bushfire hazards and risks.
These maps must be regularly updated to reflect
predicted changes to bushfire-prone land.
Wool
Flour & Starch
Cotton
Grains
Forestry Products
Meat
Regional City
Strategic Centre
Centre
Railway
Major Road
Direction 13: Expand Actions
emerging industries through 13.1 Implement local planning controls to
freight and logistics protect freight and logistics facilities from
connectivity encroachment of sensitive land uses.
The region is uniquely positioned to leverage 13.2 Work with the Australian Government and
opportunities associated with growing global and councils as the Melbourne to Brisbane
domestic markets. Port Botany at Sydney, Port Inland Rail Corridor project progresses.
Waratah at Newcastle, the Port of Brisbane,
Brisbane International Airport and Brisbane West 13.3 Integrate cross-border transport planning
Wellcamp Airport at Toowoomba are global between NSW and Queensland.
gateways for industries and businesses. Work to 13.4 Locate freight and logistics facilities to
provide capacity for international freight at maximise existing infrastructure, support
Tamworth Regional Airport is also underway. future industrial development and
Enhanced cross-border connectivity between capitalise on inter-regional connections
NSW and Queensland will accommodate the and external markets.
forecast growth of freight movements into the
Darling Downs, Toowoomba and Port of Brisbane.
New England North West
The proposed Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail freight task
has the potential to reshape freight movements.
The 2010 Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail
Alignment Study, prepared by the Australian Rail More than 13.6 million tonnes of freight moves
Track Corporation (ARTC), identified the preferred through the New England North West every
corridor for inland rail, passing through Narrabri year,8 mainly by road, with rail used to transport
and Moree. The fine-scale alignment of the coal and grains to the Port of Newcastle and
corridor is yet to be settled, and planning, Port Botany.
engineering design and assessment will be
Agriculture and coal makes up much of the
finalised by the Australian Government and ARTC.
outbound freight task with movements to
The NSW Government will work with councils and
Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney. The
the Australian Government during this period.
movement of agricultural commodities
Growth in containerised freight of grain and meat (including bulk grain, cotton, wool, horticulture
products could require new intermodal terminals and fresh produce) is forecast to grow
and supporting rail infrastructure. Narrabri, Moree between one and three per cent each year,
and Tamworth support existing and proposed while substantial growth in refrigerated truck
intermodal terminals and will continue to be transport is expected over the next five years.
significant areas for outbound containerised freight.7
Ongoing highway upgrades will enable safer
Any new freight and logistics hubs and intermodals and faster travel times for the movement of freight.
must be close to freight network corridors and
A number of the freight issues affecting
infrastructure. These assets should also be
agricultural producers arise outside the New
protected from urban encroachment and
England North West, including access, load
incompatible land uses to protect freight and cargo
scheduling and capacity at port facilities. The
handling capacity.
NSW Freight and Ports Strategy aims to grow
Narrabri Shire Council is developing a transport port capacity to match commodity throughput
and manufacturing hub masterplan that will take demands and improve agricultural export
advantage of existing intermodal facilities and opportunities.
investment in rail and natural gas infrastructure.
Above: Armidale Airport New England North West Regional Plan 2036 45
Figure 9: Inter-regional Transport Connections
46 New England North West Regional Plan 2036 Air Transport Passenger
Centre Port
Route
Containerised Freight Regional Airport Passenger Growth
2015 2000-2016
132,448
additional passengers arrived
25% 327,708
67%
195,260
93,784
Cargo units
75%
2000 2016
Direction 15: Facilitate air and Efficient and practical transport connections to and
from surrounding settlements will improve access
public transport infrastructure to health services, education and job opportunities.
Regional airports are important gateways for
business, tourism and personal travel and high- Public transport connectivity to employment areas
value freight. They also provide services for fly-in and regional services like hospitals, tertiary education
fly-out workers and access to specialist health, campuses and regional airports must be catered
education and commercial facilities. for where feasible.
Local growth management strategies should Transport for NSW will investigate opportunities to
investigate opportunities for compatible and improve bus operations in centres and their
complementary aviationrelated industries on land connections with regional communities by working
adjoining airports. Airport facility operations must with bus operators to develop routes and
not be impeded by the encroachment of timetables to improve services.
incompatible development and retail and bulky-
goods uses must be avoided in these areas. Actions
The NSW Government does not support changes 15.1 Promote aviation-related employment
to protections for existing regional flights to opportunities and precincts.
Sydney Airport, noting the importance of this
access to regional communities. Continued access 15.2 Protect airports from the encroachment of
to South East Queensland via Brisbane Airport will incompatible development.
also support economic and social links.
15.3 Provide public transport to major services
The passenger rail network connects regional and employment areas where the size of
cities and other centres to Newcastle and Sydney the urban area has the potential to generate
every day, while bus and coach networks connect sufficient demand.
to Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane.
Local growth management strategies will plan for 16.2 Maximise the cost-effective and efficient
timely and economically viable infrastructure and use of infrastructure by focusing
support proposals that minimise expenditure or development on existing infrastructure or
duplicated services. Rezoning will only occur promoting co-location of new
when prospoals for land release or development infrastructure.
demonstrate that servicing can occur from
16.3 Work with stakeholders and infrastructure
existing infrastructure or that new infrastructure
providers to investigate funding models
can be properly funded.
for utility infrastructure.
Communications infrastructure facilitates local
16.4 Integrate cross-border land use planning
employment opportunities and satisfies day-to-
between NSW and Queensland.
day needs. In accordance with the Australian
Governments National Broadband Network, a
fibre-ready pit and pipe network that allows for
the installation of Fibre To The Premises
broadband service should be considered as part
of local infrastructure planning.
Households in 2016
Other
Households in 2036
Single parent
with children
Couple only
Single person
Town Hall, Glen Innes New England North West Regional Plan 2036 51
Historical Urban Centre Population
1921-2016
L E
DA
E
MI
AL
ID
AR
E
M
AL NE
S
AR
ID S
M NE IN
AR IN N
.9%
N E
S G LE GL
12
NE
9%
H
N IN AH EDA
5.
7%
4. G LE % NED 3.
4%
GU
NN
4.0 GU N
EDAH
%
4.3 5.1%
GU N N 3.5%
2.3%
3.0%
INVERELL
73.2%
Balance 1921 2.6%
3.8% INVERELL
MOREE
67.9%
Balance 1954 2.7%
3.7% MOREE
41.2%
Balance 2016 6.4% INVERELL
2.8 4.5
% %
NAR
NAR R AB MO
6.
3% R AB 9. RI 3.
9% REE
RI 3%
TA NA
MW TA RR
M AB
22.6
OR W RI
TH OR
%
TH
TAMW
O R TH
Direction 17: Strengthen Local economic prospectuses or investment
strategies can showcase local opportunities and
community resilience address barriers to growth and investment.
Communities need to be informed, proactive Targeted expansion of service-based sectors,
and collaborative in meeting the challenges agribusiness and tourism, including coordinating
ahead. Centres must be robust and dynamic and attracting events and festivals, should also be
places to increase their appeal for residents and addressed.
contribute to growth and prosperity.
Over the last century, the population has Tools for Resilient
increasingly concentrated in regional cities and
centres. This is expected to continue, and some
Communities
communities are projected to experience lower
growth rates, stabilisation, or, in some cases, Economic attraction:
population declines. The New England North Wests
established and emerging industries are
Smaller centres and rural communities can provide
expected to flourish. Councils or wider
more affordable housing and attractive lifestyles -
collaborations need to market their area,
these should be supported with good access to
champion local economic and investment
the network of regional cities and strategic centres
opportunities, connect investors and
for higher-level services.
accelerate opportunities.
Establishing strong networks within the region,
Precinct planning:
with centres in adjoining regions and Queensland
Precinct planning establishes a clear local
will build community resilience and capacity. This
vision and provides a planning framework
will be a shared responsibility between communities,
that facilitates and maximises investment
organisations, businesses and government.
opportunities.
Local strategies should identify and manage drivers
NSW Government frameworks:
of change and capitalise on community strengths.
The NSW Strengthening Rural Communities
Based on increased collaboration between
Resource Kit (2001 - to be updated), NSW
community leaders and industry sectors, these
Drought Strategy (2015) and the Western
strategies should promote local opportunities to
NSW Mining and Resource Development
expand and diversify economic activity; attract
Taskforce provide information to help
investment; retain and attract younger people,
communities capitalise on social and
including families and professionals; and integrate
economic opportunities and address
infrastructure and transport planning.
challenges.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Identify serviceable, Ensure neigbourhoods Provide a variety of Support
unconstrained land in the growth area are land use and housing neighbourhoods with
that supports the designed around types within each active transport,
existing centre smaller, walking-friendly neighbourhood to social infrastructure
catchments meet residents needs and parks
25%
cultural tourism.
Aboriginal heritage includes places and objects 23.4 Undertake Aboriginal cultural heritage
of significance to Aboriginal people because of assessments to inform the design of
their traditions, observances, lore, customs, beliefs planning and development proposals so
and history, such as pre-contact, habitation and that impacts to Aboriginal cultural heritage
usage sites, burial sites, battle sites and camping, are avoided and appropriate heritage
hunting or fishing sites. Aboriginal cultural heritage management mechanisms are identified.
also relates to the connection and sense of
23.5 Develop local heritage studies in
belonging that people have with the landscape
consultation with the local Aboriginal
and with each other.
community and adopt appropriate
It is likely that objects and sites of Aboriginal measures in planning strategies and local
heritage significance are under-recorded, which plans to avoid and protect Aboriginal
makes them more vulnerable to accidental heritage.
damage, and consequently, improper
conservation management.
Armidale Regional is in the heart of the New Support opportunities to grow businesses
England area and enjoys a prosperous economy, enabled by the establishment of NBN
diverse community, outstanding natural assets and fibre to the premises.
access to high level services.
Encourage diversification in agriculture,
Settlement is centred on the regional city of horticulture and agribusiness to grow
Armidale which serves the wider New England these sectors and harness domestic and
area with higher-order services including health, international opportunities.
retail and professional services. A strong education
Support the New England Regional Arts
focus is founded around digital opportunities
Museum and other arts organisations to
provided by the NBN, the University of New
position the LGA as a recognised arts and
England, numerous public and private schools and
cultural centre in regional Australia.
the NSW TAFE Digital Hub. Ben Lomond, Guyra,
Ebor, Hillgrove and other smaller settlements Identify and promote wind, solar and
service the communities outside of Armidale. other renewable energy production
opportunities.
Armidale Regional has significant natural assets
including the World Heritage-listed rainforest
protected within the Oxley Wild Rivers and New
England national parks and spectacular waterfalls-
gorges. Cool climate vineyards, fine food and a
fascinating cultural heritage attract visitors.
Gwydir has abundant environmental assets, Inverell has a strong and growing economy based
including part of Mt Kaputar National Park and on agriculture, particularly beef cattle and
Copeton Dam, and the Gwydir and Horton rivers. cropping. It is the operating centre for a large
This rich environment underpins the areas beef processing company, the largest employer
important tourism sector. Managing these assets in Inverell. Inverell is also a major contributor to
will deliver a healthy environment and a strong Australias sapphire production and offers a
economy. popular tourist attraction in gem fossicking.
Identify and promote wind, solar and Identify and promote wind, solar and
other renewable energy production other renewable energy production
opportunities. opportunities.
Priorities:
9 D
esign and locate development to maximise total water cycle
management and promote passive environmental design
principles. Water sensitive urban design techniques should be
incorporated into the design of dwellings, streets, parking areas,
subdivisions and multi-unit, commercial and industrial
developments.
10 Create walkable communities within the hierarchy of settlement.
11 Provide for local services that meet the day to day needs of residents
and areas for open space and recreation.