4Aims and objectives

4 Aims and objectives

4 Aims and objectives

(1) The aims of this plan are as follows—

(aa) To protect and promote the use and development of land for arts and cultural activity, including music and other performance arts,

(a) To plan for the community’s needs for the next ten years by promoting and encouraging development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological process on which life depends,

(b) To preserve the essence of the special qualities of the Council’s area,

(c) To manage, develop and conserve the natural and built resources within the Council’s area,

(d) To meet general community expectations,

(e) To provide for the community’s welfare, including the social and economic well-being of the community of the Council’s area,

(f) To provide planning mechanisms to assist in the development of greater community spirit and vibrancy,

(g) To ensure the efficient and equitable use of resources within environmental constraints,

(h) To provide adequate opportunity for public involvement and participation in environmental planning and assessment.

(2) The objectives of this plan are as follows—

(a) To define future urban boundaries,

(b) To retain a rural separation between villages and towns which help characterise the Council’s area,

(c) To protect natural and built environmental features of the Council’s area,

(d) To provide for controlled urban growth within the defined boundaries,

(e) To provide for consolidation of existing urban areas particularly around existing business and transport centres and where environmental (including social) parameters are suitable,

(f) To protect prime crop and pasture land outside defined urban boundaries,

(g) To consolidate and strengthen existing retail/business centres,

(h) To encourage the provision of a range of retail and business services which are more attractive, convenient and accessible to the community,