Strategic Planning Services
What we do
The Strategic Planning unit is a section within Council comprising of Planners, Engineers and Scientists working collaboratively as a unit, and with other areas within Council in a co-ordinated approach, to strategically plan land use and the associated trunk infrastructure.
Strategic Planning is responsible for the development and management of the Mackay City Planning Scheme. The unit also produces Implementation and Information Notes for Consultants, oversees the development of Scheme amendments and the introduction of new Planning Scheme and Contributions Policies. The responsibility for assessing Development Applications (DA's), issuing Operational Works Approvals and providing comment on proposed developments rests with our colleagues in Development Services.
To ensure that land zoned for development is adequately serviced, Strategic Planning undertakes a series of 'studies' on key trunk infrastructure requirements for roads, drainage, water and sewerage. The outcomes of the studies are relayed to Council staff responsible for the delivery of the infrastructure, providing them with guidance on the size, location, recommended timing and cost implications for their respective infrastructure. Strategic Planning also co-ordinates the development of Engineering Design Guidelines to assist Consultants with the design approach and standards for infrastructure to be provided in any new development.
To ensure stormwater that runs off proposed and existing development has minimal environmental impact on downstream waterways, Council has adopted the Stormwater Quality Management Plan for Mackay. Strategic Planning is preparing on behalf of Council Catchment Management Plans for high risk catchments in the urban area. In addition, Council is monitoring the quality of stormwater in various waterways around Mackay.
Current Projects
Catchment Management Studies
Catchment Management Plans are being developed throughout Mackay to address water quality and ecosystem health issues for urban waterways.
There are sixteen urban waterways in Mackay where Catchment Management Plans are planned. The order in which these plans are to be prepared has been determined by a risk assessment undertaken as part of the Mackay Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP). The Gooseponds CMP is the second plan being prepared by Council.
Community Consultation is undertaken as part of these studies to determine Environmental Values (EVs) for the waterway. Once these EVs are established Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) can then be formulated.
The Gooseponds Creek system originates in the hills and canelands of Farleigh and Richmond, travels through the suburbs of Glenella, Mt Pleasant and North Mackay and eventually joins Vines Creek, which discharges into the Bassett Basin. Gooseponds Creek is known to be valued for its recreational opportunities, amenity, aquatic habitat and flood conveyance.
Further information about catchment studies
- Draft McCready's Creek Catchment Management Plan (PDF 10.9 mb)
Additional helpful information
- Mackay City Planning Scheme
- Stormwater Quality Management Plan
- Mackay Four Level Road Hierarchy
- Road Hierarchy Maps
Copies of Council's Engineering Design Guidelines and Standard Drawings (referred to in the Mackay City Planning Scheme and Planning Scheme Policies) are available on CD upon request. Please contact Council if you require a copy of these documents.