Residents in the State’s Far West are being called on to help shape a 20-year vision for the area by providing feedback on planning, services, and infrastructure.
Launching its draft Far West Regional Plan 2041, the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) said the Far West was NSW’s largest region and one of the most geographically and environmentally diverse.
“The next 20 years will be an exciting period of change,” DPE said.
“The draft Plan’s 20-year vision is that the region’s communities will be able to adapt to change, supported by a diverse economy, the right infrastructure and an exceptional natural environment,” it said.
It said key parts of the Plan would help local councils deliver the planning system and local Aboriginal land councils achieve their aspirations for their land.
“The draft Plan supports the region’s natural environment,” the Department said.
“The draft Plan aims to protect and harness it to support ongoing prosperity and to improve communities’ ability to adapt to a changing climate and withstand and recover from natural hazards.”
Welcoming the draft Plan, the Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts identified strategies to make the most of the region’s rivers and bring new life into the towns they ran through, such as developing the Western Rivers Framework to investigate ways to protect, connect and activate waterfront areas.
Minister for Western NSW, Dugald Saunders said the draft Plan looked at ways to capitalise on the region’s natural landscapes, diverse communities and rich culture and history to attract more residents and visitors.
“We want to tap into the people who know this area best to ensure we deliver the infrastructure that these communities deserve, and we’re backing that in with $2.3 billion of public and private investment in major projects over the next five years across outback NSW,” Mr Saunders said.
“This Plan outlines housing solutions to accommodate the rise in workers these projects will bring, such as collaborating with councils and industry to facilitate worker camps that support the region’s towns and local housing markets.”
He said members of the far west community can have their say on the draft Plan until 21 November.
DPE’s 59-page draft Far West Regional Plan 2041 can be accessed at this PS News link.
