The former GTCC deputy mayor explained that the local government integrated planning process starts with the community consultation strategy.

“There are operational plans and planning instruments such as Development Control Plans (DCP) and Local Environment Plans(LEP) but they cascade down from the initial consultation that is designed to capture the community’s views.” Mr Tickle said

“Individuals, community and business groups ought to provide input. After all, it is our strategy.

“Council has done a pretty good job in making the online submissions easy but written versions are also acceptable.” Mr Tickle added.

The Hallidays Point community are meeting at the Black Head surf club on February 21 to develop a submission from the Hallidays Point Community Liaison and Progress Association (CLAPA).

That is the example that other community groups ought to follow according to Mr Tickle.

“We’ve got wide representation and when we call for a meeting with the community, they turn up,” he said.

Preliminary work has already commenced by the CLAPA committee and they will come to the planning meeting well prepared.

MidCoast Council councillors and community liaison staff will be invited to the Hallidays Point meeting as observers.

Mr Tickle, who is the vice president and the instigator in the formation of CLAPA, said that following the eventual adoption of the community plan, greater attention needs to be directed by the community to the DCP and LEP when they go on exhibition, to ensure that the overarching community strategy priorities are not stymied by constraints within those planning instruments.

“To me there is a shortage of medium density housing of the duplex, triplex style, particularly in the coastal areas of the former GTCC even though the community plan provides for housing variety and varying levels of affordability.” Mr Tickle said

“DCP constraints due to minimum frontage does not encourage that type of development, as does the constraints on building heights. Smart design can enable duplex, triplex or unit development, without detracting from the overall amenity and compatibility of existing land use.

“The challenge of an ageing population demands that attention is given to encouraging more medium density development close to services, with housing design that is compatible with their needs and also for those with varying degrees of physical constraints and disability.

“The LEP can target the areas most compatible for this which emphasizes how important it is that the community plan and those planning instruments actually talk to each other” Mr Tickle concluded.