Projects

Port Stephens Futures Project and Port Stephens Planning Strategy

This assignment involved a major role in the review of major strategy and policy documents affecting Port Stephens Local Government Area, including an assessment of major issues and policy gaps, as a component of the Port Stephens Futures Project. It also involved providing significant input and advice into the development of the Port Stephens Planning Strategy.

Coffs Harbour Commercial Centres Review

This assignment involved reviewing the hierarchy of commercial centres, make recommendations for their future growth and direction and providing advice on their Standard Instrument LEP in relation to business zones. The Review has since been adopted by Coffs Harbour City Council.

Land use and development strategy to 2050, Lifestyle 2020 Review and the development of the Lifestyle 2030 Strategy

These projects involved assisting Lake Macquarie City Council in the review of their Lifestyle 2020 citywide development strategy, and in the development of a revised strategy (Lifestyle 2030) to address future needs. Lake Macquarie City Council has adopted the Review and Lifestyle 2030.

Parkes, Armidale, Cowra, Narrromine, Upper Hunter LGA Review of development contributions plans.

This assignment involved reviewing the existing Section 94 plans for Councils and developing new plans including a Planning Agreement Policy. Similar assignments are underway for Warrumbungle and Molong Shire

LGA Strategic Planning Projects

These assignmenst involved a number of specific projects including the development of Planning Proposals, Development Control Plans, Development Contribution Plans and Voluntary Planning Agreements for a number of development areas for Cessnock City Council. A number of these projects involved complex and unique planning considerations and high level negotiations.

Planning Proposal Assessments for Highway Services centres.

This work includes reviews of several Planning Proposals submitted to develop additional highway services centres on the Pacific Highway and included assessments of the economic aspects of the proposals as well as other planning proposal criteria.

Services expansion risk assessment

This assignment involved leading a risk assessment process for a major services expansion of a non government community services organisation. The process led to significant changes in the proposal and a significant reduction in organisational risk whilst ensuring high quality service delivery to clients.

Review of Upper Hunter Land Use Strategy

This assignment involved undertaking a review of the Upper Hunter Land Use Strategy and making recommendations for key areas for change to be considered when compiling a new Land Use Strategy.

Services Mapping and Gap Analysis Project for a major Council. This project reviewed demographic and social trends, service networks, contemporary service provision and funding models. It recommended ways in which a local government authority can support the development of community services in its locality that can respond to social needs and changing government policy.

West Denman Development Control Plan and Section 94 Plan

This assignment involved the development of a DCP and Section 94 Plan for a major urban expansion of West Denman. Muswellbrook Shire Council has adopted the DCP and Section 94 Plan.

Current and Future Economic Opportunities arising from the University of Newcastle.
This project was undertaken in conjunction with national firm SGS Economics and Planning. It is identifying issues and actions to maximise the employment and economic development opportunities associated with the University, and to strengthen the physical and social linkages between the University and its surrounding environment.

Co-ordination of the development of a Master Plan for the Glendale Regional Centre.

The project was based on a co-operative process involving major land owners and Government agencies. It will produce development guidelines and implementation actions for the new Town Centre and Transport Interchange. Lake Macquarie City Council has adopted the Master Plan.

Blue Mountains City Council Local Environmental Plan

This project involved providing strategic advice and assistance to the Blue Mountain City Council in undertaking a review of their Local Environmental Plan/ DCP and translating it into the State Government standard LEP format.

University of Newcastle City Centre Campus Options

The business case and feasibility of future options for the City Centre Campus of the University of Newcastle. This work was undertaken for the Vice Chancellor and the governing body of the University. It involved written reporting

as well as presentations to workshops and decision making forums. Strategy Hunter has since been engaged by the University to assist in turning a major City Centre Campus proposal into reality.

Review of Port Stephens Land Portfolio in the Soldiers Point/Salamander Bay Area.

A review of nine land parcels from a social, economic and environmental perspective. The Review provided recommendations for each parcel as well as providing a strategic context for the treatment of the portfolio. The Review was adopted by Port Stephens Council.

Development Guidelines for Medium Density Redevelopment in Lake Macquarie.

Increasing concern with the impacts of medium density redevelopment on adjacent detached housing zones led to production of new development guidelines, which were adopted by Council, following extensive research, and community and industry consultation. The Guidelines were adopted by Lake Macquarie City Council.

Growing 2322 Business Retention and Expansion Survey.

This project involved a detailed survey of commercial and industrial areas in the Beresfield, Hexham. Woodberry and Thornton areas, analysis of survey results and the development of recommendations for action. It was funded by the NSW Department of Industry and investment and undertaken for a steering committee of Newcastle and Maitland Councils, Hunter Valley Youth Express and a range of local businesses and peak associations.

Facilitation of the Community Planning Review Panel for the Medowie Land Use Strategy.

Following a significant adverse community reaction to the exhibition of the draft Strategy developed by Council, Strategy Hunter was asked to facilitate a Community Review Panel to address community concerns. A revised Strategy was developed as a result. Feedback from the Panel members on the Panel process was very positive.

Social Profile preparation

This project involved developing a social profile of two Blue Mountains communities to be used by the Council as the basis for service planning and funding proposals.

Wollongong, Liverpool and Shellharbour IHAP Panels

Member of a number of Development Approval Panels and Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels, including Wollongong, Bayside, Waverley and Port Macquarie LGAs

Review of the Blue Mountains Residential Development Strategy

This review identified demography, social trends and housing characteristics, as well as supply and demand issues for the Blue Mountains, and proposes policy responses. The Review was adopted by Blue Mountains City Council.

Ourimbah Campus Development Project

A review of development options for the Central Coast Higher Education Campus with the University of Newcastle as the primary client, in the context of the surrounding area and the needs of the Central Coast Region.

Wyee Conservation, Development and Servicing Strategy.

This project produced a growth strategy for Wyee, which is planned to more than double in size, by over 2000 dwellings. The Strategy was adopted by Lake Macquarie City Council.

Review of Permanent Residential Development in the Hunter Valley Vineyards at Cessnock.

This project reviewed the appropriateness of permitting permanently occupied (i.e. full time residents) residential dwellings in two proposed Golf Course/ Tourist/ Lifestyle Residential Estates in the Hunter Vineyards area.

Negotiation and finalisation of a Voluntary Planning Agreement with GPT for a significant development contribution in relation to the Expansion of Charlestown Square, for Lake Macquarie City Council. The VPA was adopted by Lake Macquarie City Council.

Facilitation of Annual Management Planning Workshop, Facilities Management Group, University of Newcastle

This assignment involved the facilitation of a workshop of the management team of the Facilities Management Group of the University of Newcastle, in order to identify past achievements, future trends, and management responses.

Karuah Strategy and DCP

This assignment involved review, site investigation and a review and analysis of existing studies to develop a potential Growth Strategy and draft DCP for the town of Karuah. Port Stephens and Great Lakes Councils adopted the Strategy.

Development guidelines and growth strategy for Nelson Bay

The assignment provided the major input into the development, streetscape and urban design guidelines for the Nelson Bay town centre, identifying issues, and proposing how the issues could be resolved. It also involved considerable community consultation. Port Stephens Council adopted the development guidelines.

Review of Exempt and Complying Development Provisions in the Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan. The Review examined the nature of low value and small scale development applications in Port Stephens. It will make recommendations for increasing the scope of development able to be dealt with as exempt and complying development, thus reducing approval times, complexity and consequently reducing development cost.

Several Federal Government Funding Submissions for the delivery of Community Services Programs were prepared for large Non Government Organisations.

Community Land Reclassification- for several Councils have developed Planning Proposals and conducted hearings for Local Government as part of the process for the reclassification of community land to operational land, under the Local Government Act

Kings Hill Urban Release area

The major assignment involved the development of a draft Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plan and Infrastructure Plan for a major new release area (12,000 residents) on behalf of Port Stephens Council. The development is proceeding.