A recent change in local government regulations allows plans for future parks, sports, and community facilities to move forward.
Previously, the planning and delivery of these facilities was limited to a five-year horizon.
However, last week, Logan City council voted to amend these restrictions, allowing lifestyle infrastructure to be planned as far ahead as 2041.
Council hopes the enhanced planning abilities will help cater for the population boom expected to hit the city within the next two decades.
Mayor Jon Raven said 2041 was still “too small a scope”.
“During the election campaign, the community spoke to me loud and clear, saying that they wanted to see us break the four-year cycle of elections when it came to planning, and this integrated network plan is exactly what they are talking about,” he said.
“They want us to think long-term.
“My only criticism… is that it is 2041 long enough?
“That’s only 17 years away – could we go further?”
The goal is to begin securing the land and facilities communities will need in the future now.
This is particularly urgent in the western parts of the city, which council anticipates will be home to more than 170,000 people in the next 20 to 30 years – the vast majority of the city’s projected growth.
“[This process] uses a multi-criteria assessment so that we can determine which project should be delivered first,” Cr Raven said.
“The great part of this is that the community still has their say.
“Your councillor can choose to de-prioritise projects in their electorate if they believe that they’re not needed yet or if there’s a better use of resources elsewhere, which is so important.
“The community want to know that they can provide feedback to us, and that is critical to this process.”
Cr Raven said he was proud council was able to make this change within six months of being elected.
“The real magic though happens when every network plan across the city dovetails together, and we can have a truly strategic view of what the next 50 or even 80 years of our city will look like and start delivering on that commitment to our people.
“Not just for today, or tomorrow, but for generations to come.”
