Council endorses amended Growth Management Strategy

Published on 14 October 2026

Council has endorsed the amended draft Growth Management Strategy 2026-2046 and placed the document on public exhibition for 28 days to give the community a final opportunity to review the strategy before it is adopted.

The revised draft follows extensive community and stakeholder engagement undertaken in June and July this year. Council received a substantial number of submissions on the original draft strategy and considered the findings of the What We Heard report before directing staff to update the document and return it to the community for further consultation.

Mayor Robert Bell said the revised document demonstrates that community feedback has directly influenced the strategy.

"We heard clearly from our community during the first exhibition period, and Council committed to taking that feedback seriously. The amended draft reflects a range of changes made in response to what people told us, as well as State agency advice, and we now want residents to have the opportunity to review those changes."

The Growth Management Strategy is a long-term planning document that guides how and where growth may occur across the Uralla Shire over the next 20 years. It does not rezone land or approve development, but provides the strategic framework that informs future planning decisions.

Among the most significant changes made to the draft strategy are:

• Reducing identified workforce accommodation sites from five to two
• Deferring the proposed 25-hectare minimum lot size at Invergowrie pending further investigation
• Allowing consideration of additional rural residential land near Uralla through proponent-led proposals that meet new Rural Residential Land Principles
• Clarifying what the Growth Management Strategy can and cannot do
• Improving maps and explanatory material
• Refining proposals relating to Kentucky, Bundarra and Rocky River.

Importantly, the strategy continues to focus future residential growth within land already zoned for housing in Uralla township.

Mayor Robert Bell said the additional exhibition period is an important part of ensuring the community remains involved in shaping the Shire's future.

"The strategy has changed materially since it was first exhibited. Before Council considers adopting a final version, it's only fair that residents have the chance to see exactly what's changed, and why, and provide any further feedback.

"This is about planning for growth while protecting the things our community values most, including our rural character, heritage, environment and quality of life."

The amended draft Growth Management Strategy, a summary of changes and an online submission form are available on Council's Your Say Uralla! page: Amended Draft Growth Management Strategy 2026-2046 | Your Say Uralla Shire

Community members are encouraged to review the document and make a submission during the 28-day exhibition period.

Following the exhibition period, Council will consider any submissions received before a final version of the Growth Management Strategy is presented for adoption before the end of this year.