Planning our Future
A new planning scheme for Gympie region
Gympie Regional Council is reviewing its planning scheme.
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 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.
Once endorsed, a planning scheme is the framework against which development applications are assessed … so getting it right is important.
Council has been working behind the scenes completing various planning and environment studies to inform the preparation of a number of policy position papers that, once endorsed by Council, will guide 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 below.
The drafting of the new Planning Scheme, incorporating the findings of community engagement and Councillor workshops has now been completed. 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.
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 would be on exhibition for a minimum of three (3) months in the first half of 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
Please register your interest to receive project updates and give feedback throughout the planning scheme project.
Should like to see the results of our Stage 2 Engagement please click on the link below, that will take you to the report on the work carried out.
Gympie Planning Scheme Engagement Report(PDF, 1MB)