Residents have been given little warning about a major plan to guide the future of Katherine.
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The plan was released late Friday.
Community meetings have been called for Thursday and Saturday this week to promote plans which favour growth in flood-free Katherine East.
The building blocks are being established to ensure Katherine East is the future growth area of Katherine.
A similar area plan was released by the government in 2014.
A new slogan for the town was released this year as well.
There will be popup stalls in the shopping centre (Tuesday and Friday) and “information sessions” at the Government Centre on Thursday from 6-8pm and GYRACC on Saturday 11-1pm.
There are more stalls and meetings planned for next week as well.
The long term land use planning will consider how and where development should occur to maximise investment in infrastructure, use land efficiently and create enjoyable spaces for people.
Since the devastating flood in 1998, there have been plans to shift development of Katherine to higher ground at Katherine East.
“The plan provide for a neighbourhood centre that will best serve Katherine East in the longer term, and that will not detract or have a negative impact on the commercial viability of the Katherine Town Centre,” the discussion paper says.
“Neighbourhood centres provide a range of community services and facilities that support the surrounding area while not detracting from the core business centre of a township. Typically, neighbourhood centres incorporate a supermarket and depending on the size of the catchment area, various specialty stores.”
The commission said the Katherine Land Use Plan 2014 provides “broad policy direction to guide the preparation of an Area Plan for Katherine East”.
The discussion paper raises the idea of public transport.
“Currently there is no public transport network in Katherine. As Katherine East develops there is an opportunity to create public transport networks linking Katherine CBD, Katherine East, Katherine South and Nitmiluk Gorge.”
The commission is inviting the Katherine community to get involved and have their say.
Consultation with the Katherine community began on Friday and the discussion paper for the Katherine East Area Plan has been prepared to assist with the conversation.
NT Planning Commission board member and Katherine Town Council CEO Rob Jennings, said: “The Area Plan for Katherine East will bring together previous planning work with the views and aspirations of the community right now."
The Area Plan addresses public open spaces in and surrounding the town and future land requirements.
The public is invited to attend pop-up stalls, information sessions and community workshops over the coming weeks to discuss the future of Katherine East.
The Discussion Paper, as well dates and times for upcoming events are available on the Planning Commission website at www.planningcommission.nt.gov.au.
Submissions for the first stage of consultation can be made online or by mail until December 14 to Planning Commission, Katherine East Area Plan, NT Planning Commission, GPO Box 1680, DARWIN NT 0810.
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