Draft Growth Management Strategy 2026-2046

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

About the Strategy

The draft Growth Management Strategy sets out a long-term plan to guide how Uralla Shire will grow and change over the next 20 years.

It provides a clear and practical framework to:

• Manage population growth and housing demand
• Plan for new jobs and economic opportunities
• Ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development
• Protect what makes Uralla special.

Growth is already happening across the region, driven by renewable energy investment, changing housing needs and increased interest in regional living.

This Strategy aims to ensure that growth is well-planned, sustainable and aligned with community values - protecting our rural character, heritage and landscapes while supporting a strong local economy and connected communities.

What the Strategy covers

The draft Strategy looks at:

• Where future housing, jobs and infrastructure should go
• How to manage growth from renewable energy projects
• Housing supply, choice and affordability
• Infrastructure needs such as water, sewer and roads
• Workforce accommodation
• Protecting agricultural land and the environment.

Why your input matters

Community feedback has helped shape this draft and will continue to do so.

The What We Heard Report, which follows public exhibition of the Strategy in July 2026, provides a detailed summary of the feedback received from residents, landowners, businesses and stakeholders across the Shire.

The report captures community views shared during the exhibition period and identifies preliminary matters officers will consider when preparing an amended Strategy, which will be placed on public exhibition again for further community feedback before being considered for adoption by Council.

During the initial public exhibition period, Council received 52 written submissions and 75 survey responses, with approximately 100 people attending five community drop-in sessions held across the Shire.

The consultation report identifies a number of recurring themes raised by the community, including:

• Water security and infrastructure capacity
• Temporary workforce accommodation associated with Renewable Energy Zone projects
• Housing supply and land availability
• Protection of rural character and community identity
• Rural-residential development and settlement planning
• Employment, land and economic development opportunities; and
• Community consultation and notification processes.