Ooralea Local Area Plan
The Mackay region has sustained strong population growth in recent times, particularly since 2001. High population growth is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, and Council is anticipating a regional population of at least 200,000 people by 2031.
In order to accommodate high predicted population growth and better balance and consolidate Mackay’s urban form, Council is working towards a Local Plan for the Ooralea development area.
The strategic vision for Ooralea development area:
• high level if connectivity and integration between residential areas, centres, university campus, low impact industry precinct, community activities, and open space areas / corridors
• a range of housing and lifestyle choices contained within walkable and interconnected residential neighbourhoods
• legible, highly permeable grid-based street network that provides walkable and interconnected neighbourhoods and efficient public transport routes
• employment opportunities available within the Ooralea major centre, local centres, university campus, schools, low impact industry area and the Racecourse sugar mill
• regional bicycle and pedestrian network linking Bakers Creek (watercourse), residential neighbourhoods, Ooralea major centre, Central Queensland university campus, and further on to the Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens, Bluewater Trail and Mackay city centre
• network of open space areas and corridors that provide recreational and scenic amenity areas; mitigate the impacts of local flooding; and includes structures, facilities and spaces to accommodate a diverse range of active and passive recreation activities
• Ooralea major centre contains a high diversity of retail, commercial, community, entertainment and accommodation uses
• the Ooralea specialised centre specifically accommodates large bulky goods showrooms and hardware stores servicing the regional population south of the Pioneer River
• neighbourhoods are supported by neighbourhood centres (convenience retail, community and recreation uses) that are centrally and conveniently located, primarily service the resident population and are within a short walk
• expansion opportunities for the Central Queensland university campus and establish a seamless integration and strong connectivity with the Ooralea major centre
• primary and secondary education facilities
Phase 4 – Towards a Local Plan for Ooralea
The submissions received during the public consultation period were collated and summarised. A report considering matters raised in the submissions, including recommendations for the Ooralea indicative land use intents plan, were presented to Council. The Ooralea Local Plan maps and diagrams were subsequently refined following this process.
The project team have prepared an urban design principles document, titled Ooralea Urban Design Principles, (Part A & Part B) which represents an evolved vision of the Enquiry by Design (EBD) workshop outcomes that are as close as possible to representing the new emerging policy position on developing the Ooralea major centre and neighbourhoods. The principles and strategies identified directly support desired outcomes of the Local Plan.
The document:
• articulates good urban design principles and outcomes for the Ooralea major centre and typical residential neighbourhoods to achieve robust, functional and well-connected communities that we can be proud to live in;
• takes into consideration Council’s emerging strategies, being the Centres Strategy and the Residential Densities Strategy to achieve a more sustainable urban form;
• contains plans, sections and 3D modelling that present indicative urban design outcomes which achieve well accepted urban design principles and strategies that support the growth of healthy, functional new communities.
It is important to firmly grasp the fundamentals of building neighbourhoods whilst at the same time ensuring that our goals and intended outcomes are achievable, which this document does both. By working collaboratively with the community, developers and other stakeholders, we can shape an exciting and sustainable future for Ooralea and the region that responds to environmental, economic and social considerations.
The content, maps and diagrams within the Ooralea Local Plan Urban Design Principles document will inform the drafting of the draft Mackay Region 200k Planning Scheme codes and provisions and a detailed consultation process will follow as part of the exhibition of the draft Mackay Region 200k Planning Scheme in 2012.
Recent Reports, Documents and Materials
• Ooralea Local Plan Urban Design Principles Part A (19.1MB) October 2011
• Ooralea Local Plan Urban Design Principles Part B (5.7MB) October 2011
• Ooralea story board 1 – Ooralea Strategic Vision (1.45MB) October 2011
• Ooralea story board 2 – Strategic Land Use Intent (5.89MB) October 2011
• Ooralea story board 3 – Potential Major Centre at Ooralea (704KB) October 2011
• Ooralea story board 4 – Illustrative Perspectives – Ooralea Major Centre (810KB) October 2011
• Ooralea story board 5 – Typical Neighbourhood (621KB) October 2011
Local Area Plan Project History
The Mackay region has sustained strong population growth in recent times, particularly since 2001. High population growth is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, and Council is anticipating a regional population of at least 200,000 people by 2031.
In recent decades, a characteristic of Mackay’s urban evolution has been that:
• most new residential development has been located north of the Pioneer River; and
• a significant amount of development generating ongoing employment (commercial and industrial uses) has been located south of the Pioneer River.
In order to accommodate high predicted population growth and better balance and consolidate Mackay’s urban form, Council is currently investigating future development options in the Ooralea area through a Local Area Plan (LAP) process. In this investigative process, Council is aiming to achieve the following for Ooralea and the Mackay urban area:
• a consolidated urban form with a strong urban edge;
• provide a wide range of housing and lifestyle choices;
• higher urban yields (for residential and commercial development), in order to limit the need for further urban expansion into good quality agricultural land (GQAL) or environmentally sensitive areas;
• establish an urban framework of walkable scale neighbourhoods which cluster to support mixed use centres, community facilities and public transport;
• a high level of self containment and mobility with less dependence on cars and increased public transport use, walking and cycling;
• establish a well distributed and interconnected open space network; and
• strong links between residential areas, recreational nodes and existing employment nodes such as the Paget Industrial Area and Mackay City Centre.
Details of the Project
Council appointed a consultant to assist with undertaking Phases 1, 2 and 4 of the project.
A Site Context Report was produced to provide a basis for discussions and concept designs at the EbD workshop.
The purpose of the Site Context Report is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the physical, social and legislative setting, identifying and exploring all elements and issues that characterise Ooralea. This study establishes a reliable data base of development influences and physical site characteristics to inform the planning and design process through to the preparation of a LAP.
The Site Context Report was updated post EbD workshop to include the latest available information.
The Ooralea EbD Workshop, held in May 2010, provided a collaborative forum for a diverse range of government and community stakeholders to positively contribute and discuss the future planning needs, issues and options for Ooralea.
A variety of relevant stakeholders participated in the workshop (key land owners, relevant organisations, elected representatives, State Government agencies and relevant Council staff). The project team summarised the issues discussed and concepts formulated in the EbD workshop and obtained feedback from landowners. The outcomes of the EbD workshop are detailed in the Ooralea EbD Summary Report, released in October 2010.
Earlier reports and documents
• Ooralea Site Context Report (PDF 10MB) revised August 2010
• Ooralea EbD Summary Report (PDF 13MB) September 2010
• Ooralea EbD Summary Brochure (PDF 629KB) September 2010
• Council’s Guide to Local Area Planning in the Mackay Region (PDF 2.47MB)
• Council’s Guide to Enquiry by Design Workshops in the Mackay Region (PDF 1.90MB)
Contacts and Further Information
Further information, important dates and progress updates regarding the Ooralea LAP will be made available on this webpage as it becomes available.
To find out more about the Ooralea LAP project, please contact Council on 1300 622 529 or by sending an email to strategic.planning@mackay.qld.gov.au.
