Planning Regulation: Walkable Neighbourhoods Amendment

Image credit: Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning

Action 1.3, Action Plan for Walking 2019–2021

Status: Complete

Investigate and identify opportunities to embed walkability into the planning framework through policy review, including the State Planning Policy and other supporting instruments and regulation development, to better support local government planning schemes.

Achievements

The Queensland Government's planning framework ensures development in the state occurs in a manner that helps create more liveable communities. Planning and development can ensure new residential neighbourhoods are comfortable and convenient for walking and include parks and open space.

On 21 July 2019, the Planning Minister released a model code for neighbourhood design and a proposal to introduce new provisions requiring that new residential development is designed to create more walkable neighbourhoods. For more information see Action Summary 1.1 Neighbourhood design and planning.

Informed by more than the 20,000 responses from the community, industry and local governments, the state government introduced new assessment benchmarks in the Planning Regulation 2017, as amended by the Planning (Walkable Neighbourhoods) Amendment Regulation 2020.

From 28 September 2020, new residential subdivisions in Queensland will be assessed against benchmarks relating to:

• Connectivity: grid-like street layout that responds to the local landscape
• block lengths: a maximum of 250m
• footpaths: on at least one side of a neighbourhood road, and both sides of a main street
• park or open space: blocks to be within 400m of a park or open space
• street trees: planted every 15m on both sides of the street.

The assessment benchmarks are supported by a suite of tools including a revised model code for neighbourhood design, and technical guidance material to assist developers and local government achieve better neighbourhood design and walkable neighbourhoods.

Next steps

All new residential subdivisions in Queensland are being assessed against these benchmarks.

Lead agency

Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (note that the relevant government department is now called the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning).

More information

You can download the suite of walkable communities planning guidance by visiting the Queensland Government planning pages.