28 October 2025
Southern Downs Regional Council has wrapped up a highly successful community engagement campaign for the region’s draft Planning Scheme, directly engaging with over 1000 residents to explain the proposed changes and collect feedback and valuable input.
Over an eight-week period, Council hosted 13 in-person sessions in Allora, Dalveen, Killarney, Leyburn, Maryvale, Stanthorpe, Wallangarra, Warwick and Yangan that enabled residents to ask questions and share their views about the future of planning in the Southern Downs.
Through information sessions, in-person meetings, phone calls, emails and pop-up events, Council gathered community contributions through more than 1,000 conversations and 278 properly made submissions that will help shape the final draft.
Submissions closed on 19 September 2025 and Council is now reviewing feedback and workshopping final considerations before submitting the draft Planning Scheme to the State Minister for approval to adopt.
Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton thanked the community for the strong turnout and the collaborative spirit that defined the engagement campaign.
“This was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside our community and local businesses,” Mayor Hamilton said.
“From school students to business owners and lifelong residents, the uptake of engagement exceeded our expectations and reaffirmed the importance of meaningful community input.
“We partnered with more than 10 local suppliers to design and print collateral, supply signage and maps, and host and cater sessions.”
A standout of the campaign was the introduction of the “big walkable maps”—large-scale planning maps displayed in public spaces across the region.
These sparked spontaneous and insightful conversations in places like Woolworths in Warwick, a community BBQ in Leyburn, and even a basketball court in Yangan.
“The maps were conversation starters, and our residents shared ideas about everything from minimising urban lighting to protect our dark skies, to supporting seasonal workers and activating more spaces for arts and culture,” Mayor Hamilton added.
One of the main topics of conversation was the Heritage overlay and how it related to properties adjoining a local heritage place. Council is now exploring ways to balance community expectations with the need to preserve heritage while enabling appropriate and sympathetic development.
Some members of the community raised concerns about the Biodiversity overlay. This overlay is the State Government’s overlay and maps which Council is required to include in our planning scheme.
“Council listened to the community’s concerns on the Biodiversity overlay and we have raised these with the State Government. We also encourage the community to share their concerns with the State Government,” Mayor Hamilton said.
Zoning also generated strong discussion in relation to regional growth and housing. While some residents welcomed change, others expressed a desire to maintain the character of their local areas.
“This planning scheme is about protecting what we love about the Southern Downs while preparing for the growth we’re already experiencing,” Mayor Hamilton added.
“The quality of feedback we’ve received will help ensure we get the right development, in the right places, with the right infrastructure while increasing accommodation choices and strengthening senses of place.
“Council will continue to review community submissions before finalising the draft scheme, ensuring that the final product reflects the shared vision of the Southern Downs community.”
ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
• 278 submissions received
• 7000+ website visitors
• 1000+ conversations
• 50 stakeholder meetings
• 13 information sessions
Following State Government approval, Council formally adopt the new Planning Scheme and set a commencement date, which is currently anticipated for mid-2026.
Last edited date 28 Oct 2025