Planning Scheme Project
A new planning scheme for Gympie region
Gympie Regional Council is currently preparing a new planning scheme for the region.
The new planning scheme will replace the current Gympie Planning Scheme, which has been in place since 2013. It sets out the rules for how and where different types of development and land use can happen across the region - from housing and business to farming and open space.
The planning scheme is our region’s 20-25 year master plan that strives to:
- ensure there is enough land for different types of development across the region
- maximise our region’s liveability in terms of residential land, green spaces, community facilities and places to work and shop
- plan future infrastructure to support growth within the region
- protect our natural environment, and historical features
- make our communities more resilient against natural disasters.
Council has also prepared a new Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) to work alongside the new planning scheme. The LGIP is Council's long-term plan for the infrastructure needed to support our growing community, identifying key infrastructure Council needs to provide, known as ‘trunk infrastructure’. Trunk infrastructure includes roads, water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and parks and land for community facilities.
The proposed new planning scheme and LGIP are almost ready for public consultation. This is a formal, statutory step required under Queensland Government legislation, giving the community the opportunity to review the draft scheme and LGIP, and provide feedback before it is finalised.
During the exhibition period, you'll be able to:
- View the new planning scheme, LGIP, supporting information and maps
- Learn how the changes may affect your property or local area
- Submit a formal written submission for Council's consideration
Consultation dates, submission details, and ways to have your say will be published here soon.
Project Timeline
Current Stage
State Interest Review
- Council at its 18 June 2025 Ordinary Meeting resolved to refer the draft Planning Scheme to the Minister for Planning to request the commencement of the State Interest Review process.
- Following this review, the new draft Planning Scheme will be the subject of formal stakeholder engagement and public consultation. Following discussions between Council and the State Government, some matters have required a position of compromise.
- Council is currently awaiting Ministerial approval to progress to public consultation.
- The precise timeframe for this next round of consultation cannot be given at this point as the timeframe for the State Interest Review process is not within Council’s control. However, it is anticipated that the new draft planning scheme will be on exhibition for approximately three (3) months, in the later part of 2026.
Upcoming Stages
- Late 2026: public consultation
- Early to Mid 2027: request approval to adopt new planning scheme
- Mid to late 2027: adoption of new planning scheme
Key Project Milestones
- Council has worked behind the scenes completing various planning and environment studies to inform the preparation of a number of policy position papers that have guided the drafting of the new planning scheme.
- The second stage of the new planning scheme stakeholder engagement program (April to August 2023) saw the draft policy position papers placed on public exhibition and be the focus of a number of stakeholder and community workshops across the Region. The outcomes of this community engagement were the subject of a consultation report and further workshops with Councillors.
Policy papers and the Stage 2 Engagement Report are available here(PDF, 1MB)
- The drafting of the new Planning Scheme, incorporating the findings of community engagement and Councillor workshops were completed and submitted to the State Government in June 2026.
Should you have any questions please contact us on:
Email: planningscheme@gympie.qld.gov.au
Post: Gympie Regional Council, PO Box 155, Gympie, QLD 4570
This page was last updated October 2026