3.8.1 Strategic outcomes

1. The individual character and unique identity of rural and coastal communities is retained and their roles clearly defined.
2. No further expansion of Rural residential areas is supported beyond areas identified in the Rural residential zone. Subdivision within the Rural residential zone is determined by the level of water supply that can be made available along with being consistent with lot sizes that reflect the character of rural residential areas.
3. The existing footprints of rural and coastal townships support the intended limited residential growth in these areas within the life of this planning scheme. No further expansion to these footprints or increase in density is supported.
4. Fragmentation of rural lands in the Rural zone does not occur.
5. Rural and coastal townships have clear economic functions that include tourism, rural enterprises and highway services within townships along the Bruce Highway.
6. Non–residential development in rural and coastal townships supports local level service needs with the exception of small scale tourism activities. Development supporting urban scale needs is not supported.
7. Building design and materials in coastal townships such as Seventeen Seventy reflect coastal character.

3.8.2 Elements

Rural and rural residential areas

The Gladstone region has a plentiful supply of rural residential land in localities such as Beecher, Burua, Benaraby and within the fringe areas of Gladstone, Calliope, Tannum Sands, Miriam Vale and Agnes Water. Rural residential
development is limited to only land within the Rural residential zone with no expansion into the Rural zone or other zones are supported. Other than Agnes Water and Miriam Vale, rural residential areas have reticulated water supply.

Coastal places

Seventeen Seventy is a small coastal community comprising largely of low scale detached dwellings nestled in a natural setting. Built form exemplifies coastal character characterised by lightweight materials with variation in roof forms, overhangs and balconies with open living areas.

Seventeen Seventy's heritage and scenic amenity together with topographical and access constraints means there is no increase in density or further subdivision.

The boat harbour / marina offers convenience level services for tourists and residents. Further commercial and small scale, short term accommodation is limited in scale and intensity consistent with the character of the area.

Seventeen Seventy is an important tourist destination and is one of the gateways to the Great Barrier Reef. An interpretative centre celebrating the town's cultural significance is supported that celebrates this natural attraction.

The absence of reticulated water and sewerage services restricts the expansion of the development footprint in Turkey Beach. Spare capacity exists within the existing township area and existing rural residential footprints to accommodate anticipated growth over the life of this planning scheme.

Highway townships

The highway towns of Miriam Vale, Benaraby and Mount Larcom are well placed to provide enhanced services to the travelling public and to act as gateways into the wider Gladstone region. Highway related development is concentrated in the Township zone and includes short term accommodation in the form of motels and tourist parks, service stations with limited retail space and small scale shopping, food/refreshments and local tourism.

Miriam Vale, Benaraby, Bororen, Ambrose and Raglan each have spare capacity to cater for modest residential growth within their existing development footprints as identified in the Township zone.

While Mount Larcom has potential for further residential growth as a location for those working in nearby major industry, this will only occur where essential infrastructure can be provided to service development.

Southern townships and places

Baffle Creek/Rules Beach is a strategically located but loosely structured rural community with a significantly fragmented rural hinterland. It has poor connectivity to commercial and community facilities and lacks essential infrastructure. Flooding constraints, infrastructure provision and access will determine future growth prospects in this area.

Rosedale provides community and educational focus for the southern region. Its development footprint in the Township zone is sufficient to meet the needs of its intended growth and further expansion is not supported during the life of this planning scheme.

Whilst oil shale deposits have been identified in proximity to the Lowmead township, further intensification of development within the Township zone is not supported in Lowmead due to flooding and access constraints.

Boyne Valley townships and places

Though small, the Boyne Valley villages of Ubobo, Nagoorin, Builyan and Many Peaks provide a strong community focus for their wider rural communities. Small scale tourist development including the promotion of the heritage values of Many Peaks is supported.

Ubobo and Nagoorin are within proximity to shale oil and coal seam gas reserves. Development of those resources must not adversely impact on the water quality of Lake Awoonga and the character, economic and agricultural roles of those villages.

Northern townships and places

Yarwun is a very small community adjoining the Gladstone State Development Area and no further expansion is supported.

Islands

The Gladstone region encompasses a number of harbour, nearshore and offshore islands within the Capricorn Group. The largest island, Curtis Island, lies partly within the Gladstone State Development Area and supports global scale liquefied natural gas facilities along with temporary accommodation of workers. It also supports areas of environmental significance and the small village of South End.

Hummock Hill is the largest of the nearshore islands and has historically been the subject of a number of large development proposals. Any tourist development on Curtis and Hummock Hill Islands is of low scale and provides accommodation only for guests and employees engaged in that development.

Outside of the Gladstone State Development Area, building design, height, scale and bulk of development is small scale and sensitive to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park setting and adjacent fisheries resources.

Of the harbour islands Curtis, Facing, Quoin, Tide, Witt and Compigne are partially or wholly privately owned. Future development of the harbour islands is limited to the existing urban footprint and consistent with the scale of development in the area which is characterised by single dwelling houses.

Mapping

Schedule 2 Mapping

• Strategic framework maps - Strategic Framework Theme: Our rural and coastal townships and places.