Public Notice - Review of the Hinchinbrook Shire Planning Scheme 2017
Published on 12 May 2026
In accordance with section 25 of the Planning Act 2016, Hinchinbrook Shire Council has completed a statutory 10-year review of the Hinchinbrook Shire Planning Scheme 2017.
At its General Meeting on Tuesday 28 April 2026, Council considered a report outlining the outcomes of the review and resolved to note the findings and establish a pathway for future planning scheme amendments.
What is the Planning Scheme?
The Planning Scheme is Council’s primary statutory document that guides land use and development across the Hinchinbrook Shire.
It sets out zoning, overlays, development requirements and infrastructure planning to manage growth and change within the Shire. The current Planning Scheme commenced on 2 July 2018.
The Planning Act 2016 requires local governments to review their planning schemes within 10 years to ensure they remain current, effective and aligned with community needs and State and regional planning policy.
How the review was undertaken?
Council engaged a consultant to partner in undertaking the statutory review. The review was completed in accordance with:
- Section 25 of the Planning Act 2016; and
- Planning scheme monitoring and undertaking a 10?year review – Guidance for local governments (Queensland Government, November 2021).
The review considered:
- Whether the Planning Scheme continues to reflect Council and community expectations;
- Whether the Planning Scheme is operationally effective;
- Alignment with current State and regional planning policy; and
- Changes experienced since the scheme commenced, including demographic and development trends.
The review was informed by Council’s ongoing monitoring of the Planning Scheme, community engagement undertaken through projects such as the Local Housing Action Plan and Liveability Strategy, and internal consultation with Council officers.
What happens next?
The review was undertaken in two stages:
- Stage 1 – Statutory 10?year Planning Scheme Review (now complete); and
- Stage 2 – Planning Scheme Amendment Preparation and Drafting, subject to a future Council resolution.
The review identifies findings, information gaps and recommendations that may be addressed through future planning scheme amendments, which could include changes to the Strategic Framework, Tables of Assessment, zone and overlay codes, development codes and mapping.
This review does not amend the Planning Scheme and does not involve public consultation at this stage.
If Council resolves to proceed with Planning Scheme amendments in the future, formal public notification and consultation will be undertaken in accordance with the Planning Act 2016.
The current Planning Scheme remains in effect.
A copy of Council’s decision is available for public inspection at Council’s offices and by clicking here(PDF, 1MB) for a period of at least 40 business days, in accordance with legislative requirements.
For further information, please contact Hinchinbrook Shire Council on (07) 4776 4600 or email council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.