Forward planning

Forward planning is a future-oriented exercise. It is concerned with the long-term future of a large area, and identifying opportunities for growth and development so that land can be managed in the best interests of the public. It involves identifying the future vision or ‘plan' for an area, and then identifying the actions and changes required to make the plan happen. The first stage of forward planning is identifying a vision for the future of the area. In developing the long-term vision for an area, the following types of things are taken into account:

• Availability and capacity of infrastructure and services such as water;
• Relationship of subject area to region and other areas;
• Needs of current population;
• Projected size and needs of future population;
• Need for land for varied purposes across the area;
• Need to protect areas and features of local, regional or national significance;
• Preferred patterns of town growth.

By researching and describing each of these influences on the local area, a ‘preferred' future can be identified.

The second stage of forward planning is identifying the actions and changes that area required, over time, to realise the vision. The changes that relate to development can then be translated into development guidelines and requirements in the form of Town Planning Schemes. Land is allocated to zones, and provisions prepared to control development within each zone. Such provisions cover a range of aspects of subdivision and development. Subdivision standards include:

• Lot sizes and minimum street frontages,
• Open space contributions, and
• Infrastructure requirements and construction.

For buildings and new uses, site layout and building design guidelines incorporate:

• Permitted range of uses on site,
• Building setbacks from roads & boundaries,
• Plot ratios and site coverage,
• Floor levels and building heights, and
• Carparking requirements.

By implementing these requirements on developments as they occur (through Development Control), local authorities can direct and manage growth to suit their vision.