Town Planning

Why is Town Planning Important?

Planning looks at the needs of people and the environment whilst respecting limits to development.

Urban planning must recognise regional limits to development in order to maintain natural habitats and biodiversity, which is so important to our continued existence.

Broad landscape conservation is necessary to maintain ecosystem function and biodiversity, but there is also great opportunity for the sensitive redevelopment of many previously developed areas.

The urban development plan should have sympathetic regard to the natural landscape, with a minimisation of earthworks and landscape fragmentation, and maintenance of nature corridors. Consideration of the habitat requirements for various species within a regional ecological context must first be established.

Natural ecosystems should be promoted throughout all levels of the development. An empathetic approach in the maintenance and encouragement of natural ecosystems creates a more sustainable relationship with the natural environment.

Urban design enabling individual building lots to maximise solar access, and the design and construction of dwellings that are designed with passive solar design principles to utilise available solar access, is a feature of environmentally responsible urban development. Easy access to public transport is also important, and this aspect can be extended to include provision of cycleways.

Types of sustainable town planning include:

• Preparation of Local Environmental Plans
• Preparation of Development Control Plans and Management Plans
• Preparation of Development Applications
• Project management of flora and fauna studies,
• Training programs for staff and professional training in biodiversity conservation and ecologically sustainable development.