News
11 November, 2025
Planning to boost tourism
Somerset Council wants to slash red tape to encourage tourism and short-stay projects as part of a series of proposed new planning reforms.
By Marina Gomide
Somerset Council wants to slash red tape to encourage tourism and short-stay projects as part of a series of proposed new planning reforms.
Council revealed it was working on draft changes to its planning processes to encourage “sustainable growth, and strengthen local tourism and business, while preserving the region’s distinctive rural lifestyle”.
Proposed updates include new provisions for holiday houses, simplified approvals for small-scale tourist parks and short-stay accommodation, and clearer subdivision rules to support growth in suitable areas.
The proposed changes come as the region prepares for a significant population increase, with Somerset expected to experience steady growth through to 2046 under the State Government’s ShapingSEQ Regional Plan.
To guide this expansion, Council will develop a Growth Management Strategy (GMS) to identify future housing and employment areas.
The GMS - supported with $111,000 in State Government funding - will aim to ensure growth aligns with infrastructure needs and community values.
The planning reforms form part of a broader state initiative that has seen nine Queensland councils share $1.4 million to modernise their planning schemes and deliver more housing.
Somerset Mayor, Jason Wendt, said the proposed changes to the current planning scheme would make it easier for residents and developers to build, invest and contribute to the future of Somerset.
“These amendments are about streamlining processes and providing greater certainty, while still protecting the things that make Somerset special which is our open spaces, rural lifestyle and sense of community,” he said.
“Somerset is a key growth corridor with a strong tourism brand through Experience Somerset.
“These amendments give residents and businesses clearer, fairer rules that balance opportunity with environmental and community values.”
Cr Wendt added the Somerset Region is now experiencing a surge of development activity with more expected with the State Government’s statutory regional plan, following a slow growth period between 2015 and 2021.
“The State Government funding will assist Council to prepare a GMS that will identify the scale, location and timing of future residential and employment growth areas within the region, based on core principles and projected population growth, social and community needs, infrastructure provision and land use constraints,” he said.
“With the Somerset Region Planning Scheme 2016 approaching its tenth year, the GMS will be foundational for the new planning scheme.
“It will provide the necessary background information to help facilitate the right type of growth and in the right place and at the right time.”
Cr Wendt emphasised preserving Somerset’s rural lifestyle and amenity will be “a central focus” in the drafting of the GMS.
“The GMS will not stop the anticipated growth but will ensure it is balanced with Council’s aspirations and occurs in appropriate areas within the region,” he said.
Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said this fund is helping Councils to deliver critical housing for Queenslanders by resetting planning partnerships with local governments.
“With this funding, we’re empowering even more councils to reform their planning schemes, remove barriers to development, and ensure that housing projects can move from approval to construction faster than ever,” he said.
“This is about building the homes Queenslanders need now and into the future, and we’re on track to meet our target of one million homes by 2044.”
Public consultation on the proposed Council planning scheme changes will be open until December 5.
The proposed amendment and supporting information can be viewed online at somerset.qld.gov.au/ma2 or in person at Council’s Customer Service Centres.
A series of factsheets detailing each of the major proposed amendments is available on council’s website.
Submissions can be lodged online, by email to mail@somerset.qld.gov.au or by post to PO Box 117, Esk QLD 4312.
