Sarina and Coastal Communities Local Area Plan
The Mackay region has sustained strong population growth in recent times, particularly since 2001. High population growth are expected to continue into the foreseeable future, and Council is anticipating a regional population of at least 200,000 people by 2031.
Sarina has experienced its share of growth in recent times and it is anticipated that demand for new development will continue into the future. The desirability of coastal living will ensure that demand for new development in Sarina’s nearby coastal communities will remain into the future. Meeting this demand, however, must involve overcoming challenges associated with environmental sensitivities and infrastructure limitations in those areas.
In order to appropriately manage future growth, Council is currently investigating future development options in Sarina and nearby coastal communities through a Local Area Plan (LAP) process.
The purpose of the LAP is to provide a strategic vision for the area to efficiently coordinate future growth. The LAP will set out the broad environmental, infrastructure and development intent to guide development of the area.
The LAP study areas cover the existing urban areas and land immediately adjoining Sarina, Sarina Beach, Campwin Beach and Grasstree Beach (please see maps below).
This will be an exciting and important project for these townships and the region and will involve extensive consultation with relevant organisations, government agencies and the broader community. 
Project Milestones and Current Status
Council has appointed a consultant to assist with undertaking Phases 1 and 2 of the project. An Enquiry by Design (EbD) Workshop was held in December 2009. An EbD Workshop Outcomes Report was produced in June 2010. Public display of the EbD Workshop Outcomes Report occurred between the 30 June 2010 and 13 August 2010.
The project team is currently collating and summarising the submissions received during the public consultation period. It is expected that a report considering matters raised in submissions will be presented to Council in coming months.
The diagram below depicts previous, current (circled in red) and future phases of the project.
Enquiry by Design Workshop
On the 7 and 8 December 2009, the project team conducted an Enquiry by Design (EbD) Workshop that explored design and development options for Sarina, Sarina Beach, Campwin Beach and Grasstree Beach based on an understanding of local issues, opportunities and constraints.
Important topics addressed at the EbD workshop included:
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should Sarina and nearby coastal communities be encouraged to grow and, if so, how much and where should they grow?
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environmental issues, natural hazards and other elements constraining growth
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existing infrastructure networks and the sustainable provision of required future networks
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potential development types, density and sequencing
A variety of relevant stakeholders participated in the workshop (relevant organisations, elected representatives, State Government agencies and relevant Council staff).
Enquiry by Design Workshop Outcomes
The outcomes of the EbD Workshop are detailed in the following document:
The following additional material provides an overview of the outcomes of the EbD Workshop:
Public Consultation
Public display of the Sarina and Coastal Communities EbD Workshop Outcomes material was held between 30 June and 13 August 2010. The public consultation period included the following:
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Display (hard copies) of all EbD Workshop Outcomes material (report, posters and brochure) at Council administration / office buildings and libraries. The material was also displayed on Council’s website.
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Public information and feedback sessions at Council’s Sarina Office Building on the 20 July 2010. At this event, the project team presented a Summary of EbD Workshop Outcomes and obtained feedback from attendees.
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‘1 on 1’ appointments with Council Planners at Council’s Sarina Office Building was available on the 20 and 27 July and 3 and 10 August.
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Encouragement for the community to lodge submissions (in writing, by completing the standard submission form or by completing the online submission form) by the 25 June.
The project team is currently collating and summarising the submissions received during the public consultation period. It is expected that a report considering matters raised in submissions will be presented to Council in coming months.
Reports and Documentation
Further Information
Further information, important dates and progress updates regarding the Sarina and Coastal Communities LAP will be made available on this webpage as it becomes available.
To find out more about the Sarina and Coastal Communities LAP project, please contact Council on 1300 622 529 or by sending an email to strategic.planning@mackay.qld.gov.au.
