Rockhampton Regional Council has reached the next stage in making necessary changes to the planning scheme, endorsing an updated scheme for State Government approval.
Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Tony Williams thanked everyone in the community who submitted their feedback on the proposed changes during the public consultation period last year.
"The focus of this amendment is to update the scheme's flood mapping," Mayor Tony Williams said.
"Across Australia over the last few years we have been reminded time again of the cost that flooding can have to communities.
"We are committed to improving our understanding of flooding and undertaking mitigation measures to increase resilience in the region.
"Updating the flood overlay maps with the most current modelling is essential to understanding flood behaviour and hazards of the Fitzroy River, our creeks, and local catchment areas."
Planning and Regulation Councillor Grant Mathers said Council received 271 submissions on these changes, and this week responses will be sent out to each resident who provided a submission.
"During April and May last year, Council sent out over 6,500 letters to property owners and tenants of over 2600 properties impacted by the flood mapping, so we did anticipate a large number of submissions," Cr Mathers said.
"Every submission was analysed in detail by our team of engineers and we have made some changes to the proposed Planning Scheme amendments as a result of the information we received.
Water and Environmental Sustainability Councillor Donna Kirkland said it is critical that Council continually update flood modelling and make appropriate changes to the Planning Scheme.
"Having the best possible information about the path a flood might take and the damage it could do is vital for our awareness, so that we can better plan and prepare, and be safe from harm," Cr Kirkland said.
"This will improve our current information, help us to better understand potential flood patterns, and help us better prepare."
The Planning Scheme Major Amendments 4.1 to 4.4 will be submitted the State Government and Council will formally request approval to adopt the major amendments.
The full consultation report is available on Council's engagement portal: https://engage.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/planning-scheme-major-amendment-local-catchment
