3.7 A Sustainable Local Economy
- Development related to resource sector activity reinforces the City’s role as principal
contributor to the economic prosperity of the region and is undertaken in an ecological and
socially responsible manner. - The Principal centre zone (central business district (CBD)) remains the commercial,
government and retail hub of the City and region, while supporting smaller scale centre
activities in the Local centre zones. - Showrooms and bulk retail suppliers providing a range of services and goods to Mount Isa
residents and visitors are located within the Mixed use zone and designed and sited to
ensure appropriate access and mitigate impacts. - Low impact home based businesses are supported principally in residential areas for the
provision of a mix of new, emerging and small scale business enterprises which support
ongoing economic development in the City. - The attraction of new Industry activities is supported by the provision of adequate, easily
serviced and appropriately zoned land consistent with the Local Government Infrastructure
Plan. - Ongoing economic development in the City is supported by maintaining and strengthening
the mix of existing industries and businesses, and by attracting and facilitating the
establishment of new industry and business opportunities. - Conflict and adverse impacts between industry and sensitive land uses is avoided or
mitigated. - Tourism is facilitated through the development of attractions, events and facilities targeting
over-night stays and inter-state visitors and is promoted in a manner that encourages the
efficient use of infrastructure and protects natural values and the character of the local area. - Uses which incorporate elements of innovation and diversification are supported where they
will enhance employment and investment opportunities and contribute to the stability and
robustness of the local economy.
3.7.2 Element 1 – Commercial Activities
Specific Outcome 1
Mount Isa is the principal urban centre, with a concentration of retail, business, community and social services and tourist accommodation within the CBD.
Land Use Strategies
LS 1.1
The Principal centre zone, constitutes Mount Isa CBD, where the greatest range and intensity of centre activities and entertainment activities, cultural uses and short-term accommodation uses are encouraged and supported.
LS 1.2
The preferred location for short-term accommodation, such as motels is close to the CBD.
Specific Outcome 2
Local convenience services are located at Camooweal, as the City’s primary rural township, and within the smaller centres located throughout Mount Isa.
Land Use Strategies
LS 2.1
The Township zone provides for local centre and entertainment activities to service Camooweal.
LS 2.2
The Local centre zone provides for local scale centre and entertainment activities.
Specific Outcome 3
Mount Isa’s CBD consists of a well-defined urban core comprising a mix of uses including retail, commercial, civic and entertainment related activities and:
(a) is defined by a frame of supporting land uses; and
(b) is urban in character with buildings that integrate at street level; and
(c) is a place to work, do business, live, and be entertained; and
(d) offers a high level of public amenity; and
(e) achieves a high quality built from with respect to:
• landscaping; and
• building design and quality of
construction; and
• streetscape design; and
• building façade quality; and
• parking areas.
Land Use Strategies
LS 3.1
The CBD is included in the Principal centre zone and is framed by the Mixed use zone which acts as a buffer and transition to the primary residential areas.
LS 3.2
Development provides activated road frontages which provide centre and entertainment activities at street level.
LS 3.3
Building design and scale is compatible with the overall character and form of the CBD.
LS 3.4
The CBD incorporates:
(a) streetscape plantings, including street trees to enhance natural shade provision; wider footpaths; and
(b) way-finding signage to facilitate access to centre activities; and
(c) shading (facilitated by awnings, or similar) and pedestrian linkages.
LS 3.5
Development applies Crime Prevention Though Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
LS 3.6
Development is compatible with the protection of the security camera network.
LS 3.7
The full range of centre and entertainment activities are supported and encouraged within the Mount Isa CBD.
LS 3.8
Building and public space design and construction contributes to continual improvement of built form within the CBD.
LS 3.9
Residential activities are supported within the CBD subject to compatibility with centre and entertainment activities, in particular with respect to providing or retaining centre and entertainment activities at street level.
LS 3.10
Multi storey residential development will be supported in principal.
LS 3.11
Development is provided with sufficient parking.
Specific Outcome 4
Unplanned or piecemeal expansion of commercial or retail areas beyond the CBD, unplanned ribbon development, or development that could threaten the ongoing economic stability of the CBD is not supported.
Land Use Strategies
LS 4.1
Centre and entertainment activities outside the Principal centre zone and Local centre zone is discouraged, with the exception of centre activities that are compatible with residential activities within the Mixed use zone.
Specific Outcome 5
Development encourages a growing, prosperous and sustainable local economy, supportive of existing and new centre and entertainment activities.
Land Use Strategies
LS 5.1
The expansion of centre and entertainment activities is encouraged within the Principal centre zone and Local centre zone with small scale low impact development possible in the Mixed use zone.
Specific Outcome 6
The urban form of Mount Isa includes smaller commercial areas to provide local services within close proximity to the majority of the
population.
Land Use Strategies
LS 6.1
The Local centre zone caters for local scale centre activities in a number of locations within the urban
area of Mount Isa.
Specific Outcome 7
activity will not:
(a) adversely impact on the longer-term economic stability of the existing CBD of the City; or
(b) contribute to unplanned ribbon
development; and
(c) shall only occur in locations that exhibit good visibility and access and where they do not contribute to additional ribbon development; and
(d) will not impact the safety and amenity of sensitive land uses; and
(e) will not impact on the capacity of the local road network.
Land Use Strategies
LS 7.1
Development for showroom and bulk retail activity may be supported within the Mixed use zone on land fronting Marian Street and the Barkly
Highway.
3.7.3 Element 2 – Home Based Businesses
Specific Outcome 1
Development provides for a variety of local employment opportunities through small-scale home based businesses that are compatible with residential amenity
Land Use Strategies
LS 1.1
Development for home based businesses will be supported in residential areas subject to:
(a) acceptable off-site impacts; and
(b) consistency with the existing residential character.
3.7.4 Element 3 - Industry
Specific Outcome 1
Development supports industries and businesses that:
(a) promote economic growth; and
(b) minimise adverse effects on the natural environment and existing and future amenity of the surrounding area; and
(c) make provision for appropriate separation distances and/or appropriate buffers to sensitive land uses; and
(d) are protected from incompatible land uses; and
provides an attractive entry to the City.
Land Use Strategies
LS 1.1
Sufficient and appropriately located industrial land is located within the following zones:
(a) the Low impact industry zone, which is located in close proximity or abutting residential areas and acts as a buffer between sensitive land uses and the Medium impact industry zone; and
(b) the Medium impact industry zone, which is separated from sensitive land uses and residential areas by the Low impact industry zone; and
the Special Industry zone, which caters for the highest impact industries (power stations) and is located at one site, to the south of Mount Isa at least two kilometres from any existing or future (i.e. ‘Gliderport’) residential areas.
3.7.5 Element 4 – Tourism
Specific Outcome 1
Development promotes tourism that encourages the efficient use of infrastructure, and integrates with and protects the natural values and character of the local area.
Land Use Strategies
LS 1.1
Development for tourism related uses will be assessed having regard to the impacts of the use on:
(a) existing and proposed character of the area; and
(b) the natural environment; and
(c) the scenic amenity of the area; and
(d) existing and proposed trunk infrastructure services;
(e) the road network; and
residential amenity (if proposed in proximity to any residential area).
Element 5 - Innovation and Diversification
Specific Outcome 1
Development encourages a growing, prosperous and sustainable local economy, supportive of existing, new or innovative industry and business.
Land Use Strategies
LS 1.1
Development for emerging or innovative activities is of a scale, form and intensity appropriate for the locality and is only supported at a greater scale, form or intensity where it can be demonstrated that there is both an overriding community need and an overriding economic need for development.