The passion that we have for our region and our communities was clearly on show in the results of a survey of planning issues undertaken by Cradle Coast Authority (CCA). The survey was launched to help the authority ensure future plans in the region benefit from a better understanding of the communities hopes and concerns and visions for the future. The survey attracted 94 responses over the last month and revealed some fascinating insights and well thought through suggestions that have given the planners in the nine councils of the region much to think about.
Although there is not enough space here to go through the complete list of findings some themes came out particularly strongly.
Most people who responded spoke in moving, often poetic terms about their attachment to the region. They spoke of the wonderful landscape, the exceptional natural values and good soil. Also mentioned was the unique sense of place of the different communities and districts and the close knit and caring communities that can be found there.
The survey sought to understand what people felt were the most pressing concerns local planners should address, whilst flagging that it might not always be possible to act on these suggestions. This revealed that many people felt the planning system should emphasise the protection of natural and community values from things like inappropriate development, loss of habitat and coastal vegetation and climate change. As you might imagine whilst everyone agrees in the need for appropriate development not everyone agrees what that is with recent big, high profile proposed infrastructure projects proving very controversial. Tourism developments also had their advocates and detractors. Some people suggested planning restrictions should be made more flexible to allow for easier development and a wider range of design choices whilst others pointed towards better controls to protect the areas character and liveability. The challenges in balancing population growth, development, primary industry and protecting the highly valued natural and social environment were flagged many times.
The most frequently mentioned issue was housing. People reported that finding affordable housing of the right type in the right location is a big and growing challenge that they fear will get worse as more people are drawn to our region. Others expressed a concern that there needs to be more jobs, recreational opportunities and transport links to keep the people we have and give them a degree of economic security.
Some people brought issues of built and landscape local character to the planners attention as matters of great importance. Many people are concerned about health issues and suggested the planners look to what we can do to help people stay healthy and happy given our aging population and difficulty finding healthcare professionals in the region.
A number of people who responded to the survey directed planners to look at better and safer roads, for humans and wildlife. The need for public transport, streetscapes and open spaces were also flagged. Amongst the interesting ideas raised were a need for incomers to understand what life is like in rural areas, pleas to reopen the railway, simplify planning and help people to ensure new development can blend in seamlessly with its surroundings.
Nearly half of people who responded have been in touch with their local planners in the last two years with most of those either putting forward their own submission or seeking to better understand how the planning system worked. People were divided in their experience with equal numbers saying they were happy or unhappy with their interactions with local council planners. Of those that were unhappy many cited the complexity and rigidity of the planning system, what seemed like unnecessary red tape and high cost to have an application considered. It was heartening to see that despite these issues many people reported that they were very happy with the individual planners, noting how helpful and professional they were even though many councils are short staffed at the moment.
The findings of this survey will help inform future planning projects such as reviewing the Cradle Coast Regional Land Use Strategy to make sure it better helps protect and enhance those things that make our region such an amazing place. Although it has now closed CCA are seeking on going community input and community members are invited to fill in the survey on our website: www.cradlecoast.com/community-input-for-regional-planning-and-development/