The Local Growth Management Strategy: a 20-year guide to responsible, sustainable growth

The Local Growth Management Strategy (LGMS) seeks to provide a framework to guide how we respond to growth over the next 20 years.

It considers how to support jobs, economic activity and business opportunities alongside housing, and supports us to advocate to the State and Federal governments for investment in critical infrastructure, including transport, health and community facilities.

We’ve been developing the LGMS over the last 18 months, using:

• technical analysis; and
• extensive community input through multiple consultation phases.
  
  

What’s in the LGMS

The LGMS has 9 underlying principles called the Directions for Growth. These were developed in consultation with the community and are embedded throughout the strategy. They are:

Direction 1: Well-planned and distributed growth

This means adding more homes in areas that already have good services and infrastructure, instead of spreading into natural or rural areas.

Direction 2: Natural environment network

By strengthening the city’s natural systems and focusing growth in the right places, we can protect wildlife, waterways and landscapes while creating greener, cooler neighbourhoods.

Direction 3: Infrastructure that services a growing city

To support a growing population, we need infrastructure that is planned, delivered and upgraded in the right places at the right time to ensure essential services keep pace with growth.

Direction 4: Movement and transport choice

By locating more homes and businesses near good public and active transport, and improving walking and riding connections, we can create neighbourhoods where people have multiple transport choices every day. This helps reduce congestion, supports healthier travel and keeps communities connected.

Direction 5: A network of connected open space

The maintenance and enhancement of a connected network of parks, reserves, beaches, waterways and green corridors, will support healthier, more active communities and protect the natural character people value.

Direction 6: Building on our economic strengths

By protecting key employment areas and supporting the industries we already do well – construction, tourism, health and wellbeing, and education – we can create more local jobs, attract investment and build a resilient economy that benefits communities as the city grows.

Direction 7: Well-designed buildings and places

Through the creation of buildings, streets and public spaces that are comfortable, safe, climate‑responsive and reflective of local culture and heritage, we can support active lifestyles, strengthen identity and help communities adapt as the city grows.

Direction 8: Celebrating Traditional Owners aspirations, values and places, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and our heritage

Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard in planning for the future growth of the city, and heritage places are valued and protected for future generations to enjoy.

Direction 9: An inclusive and accountable planning and development process

By communicating how growth is planned, involving people early and delivering on commitments, we create shared ownership of the city’s future and support more confident, informed decision‑making.

You can find out more about the 9 directions in the LGMS document on this page.

What’s not in the LGMS

The LGMS does not determine specific zoning, building heights or development outcomes. That is the role of the City Plan.

We’re working on the new Planning Scheme (NPS) which will replace the existing City Plan which we have had since 2016. The NPS will be the statutory framework that determines and regulates those issues. The LGMS will inform the NPS to ensure community priorities are considered throughout the plan making process.

How you can be involved now