Community invited to have its say on new Gympie planning scheme

Published on 05 November 2026

Gympie Regional Council is inviting residents, businesses, landowners, and community organisations to have their say on the proposed new Gympie planning scheme, which will head to public exhibition from 13 November 2026 to 26 February 2027.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said the Scheme provided the blueprint to guide where homes, businesses and infrastructure can be built and how land is intended to be used and developed, while also ensuring the things we love about the region are protected and enhanced.

“Once finalised, the new scheme will replace the current Gympie Planning Scheme, which has been in place since 2013. It will define a clear path for the region for the next 20 to 25 years,” Mayor Hartwig said.

“That is why it is important that our community take this opportunity to understand what is proposed, consider how the planning scheme may affect them, and provide feedback to Council.

Mayor Hartwig said Council first sought community feedback to inform the new scheme in 2022. This involved asking residents, businesses, landowners and organisations what issues mattered most to them. Consultation was also held on draft policy position papers proposed to be contained within the new scheme.

"All of this feedback helped to inform the drafting of the Plan and ensuring we preserve what is important and what is great about Gympie’s lifestyle and unique character,” Mayor Hartwig said

“Since then, feedback has also been sought, as required, from the Queensland Government. This is because while councils prepare planning schemes for their local communities, the Queensland Government play an important role in reviewing and approving the scheme to ensure it meets state planning requirements, protects important state assets and environmental values, and supports the long-term needs of Queensland.

“The State this month has approved our proposed new planning scheme now it is back to the community to have a final say.”

At the close of the consultation period, Council will consider all submissions and may make changes to the proposed new planning scheme, and then it will be returned to the State Government for its approval.

Once the Minister for Planning has approved, Council will then adopt the final Planning Scheme and it will come into effect.

The key planning scheme changes are focussed on:

1. Better managing housing and growth - updated residential zones to provide clearer rules around housing density, lot sizes, and design, while protecting land for future urban growth.
2. Updated local environmental and hazard protections - updated mapping and overlays that reflect the latest data on flooding, bushfire, biodiversity, and land stability.
3. Supporting business and industry - centre and industrial zones streamlined to reduce red tape and support a wider range of economic activity.
4. Enhancing local character - stronger provisions to protect heritage buildings, neighbourhood character, and the liveability of residential areas.
5. Clearer rules for rural areas - updated provisions guide where rural industries, and tourist facilities and other non-rural activities are and aren't appropriate

The Scheme also includes a new Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) which guides the need for trunk infrastructure to support the population.

Mayor Hartwig said Council was committed to making the exhibition process accessible and transparent for the broad Gympie community.

“We recognise that planning documents can be complex, so we are providing information and opportunities for the community to understand what is proposed and ask questions,” he said.

"Our team will be hosting several ‘drop in’ community information sessions and other events over the consultation period, and I encourage people to attend one of the public events or find out more information either online or through our customer contact centre."

Community members can view the proposed new planning scheme and supporting documents and make a submission during the public exhibition period from 13 November 2026 to 26 February 2027.

Council will consider all properly made submissions before determining the required next steps to finalise the planning scheme

Find out more: Planning Scheme Project | Gympie Regional Council

ENDS