Does a subregional land use plan automatically rezone land?

    No. 

    Subregional plans contain principles and objectives to give the community, industry and decision-makers confidence about the future pattern of land use and potential areas of change. 

    But, subregional plans, including the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan, do not:

    • automatically rezone land; 
    • remove the need to apply to the Minister responsible for administering the Planning Act 1999 to rezone land; or 
    • pre-empt the Minister’s decision in response to a request to amend the zone. 

    Subregional plans do not prevent the use of land consistent with the current town planning zone that applies to a site or any development approval(s) that are in place.

Strategic Framework

    What is the Strategic Framework?

    The strategic framework is made up of plans and policies that form part of the NT Planning Scheme.

    They describe how the government expects land to develop now and in the future.

    These plans and policies cover different areas of the NT and are arranged in the following hierarchy:

    • Territory-wide policy
    • regional land use plans
    • sub regional land use plans
    • area plans.

About the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan

    Why is a subregional land use plan required now when one has not been needed previously?

    The Darwin Regional Land Use Plan (DRLUP) has provided high-level, regional direction.  The DRLUP applies to the greater Darwin region from Adelaide River to the east and Finniss River catchment to the west. It is a broad framework of land use and does not go into detail on the infrastructure needed for land release and future servicing.

    The Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan does not replace the DRLUP.  Its introduction allows the considerations relevant to the study area to be addressed in further detail, especially with regard to the provision of main roadsand trunk services etc to support future growth.

    The preparation of the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan also responds to the local changes of the study area and can provide specific responses as a result.

    What do the land use categories like Urban and Peri-urban mean?

    These are broad land use categories applied at regional and subregional levels or high levels of land use planning. 

    The term ‘Urban’ groups land uses such as suburban homes, schools, shops and the like.

    The term ‘Peri-urban’ refers to small rural lots serviced by reticulated services and may also include schools, shops and the like.

Local Government (Council) boundaries

    Will the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan project modify Local Government (Council) boundaries?

    No. 

    The Subregional Land Use Plan project has no bearing upon Local Government (Council) boundaries. 

    The study area for the Subregional Land Use Plan is across two Local Government boundaries and considers land use transport and infrastructure servicing considerations independently from Local Government boundaries. 

    Changes to Local Government boundaries are an entirely separate process.

Regional and Subregional Plans

    Does the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan project propose modifying the subregion boundaries identified in the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan (DRLUP)?

    Yes.

    The Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Plan does propose to modify the subregion boundaries identified in the DRLUP. The existing and proposed subregions are shown below.



    Will the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan and the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan show the same information for broad land use categories and transport networks?

    Yes, but at different scales and different levels of detail.

    Will changes to a subregional land use plan result in change to the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan (DRLUP)?

    Yes. Change to a subregional plan will require an update to the DRLUP.

Area Plans

    What does an Area Plan do?

    An Area Plan provides a decision-making framework to inform future rezoning and development decisions. 

    An Area Plan is more fine-grained and detailed than a Subregional Land Use Plan. It gives guidance, certainty and confidence to residents, property owners and decision makers. 

    Area Plans can identify areas for future change but they do not rezone land.

    Will the Holtze to Elizabeth River Subregional Land Use Plan guide preparation of Area Plans?

    Yes. 

    Area Plans are more specific than Subregional or the Regional Land Use Plans and are prepared in the context of these overarching land use strategies.