Growth Management Strategy

The Somerset Region is growing, with more people than ever looking to call our region home. In fact, the Queensland Government's ShapingSEQ: South East Queensland Regional Plan 2023 requires Council to plan for a potential population of 42,200 people over the next 20 years.  We have heard from the community about the pressures of growing, and now Council is taking the next steps to ensure that our growth is well planned and responsive to the Somerset Region's unique values and lifestyle.

The Growth Management Strategy (GMS) is the next step in Somerset Region Council’s plans to accommodate greater residential growth and facilitate further employment and industrial development, ensuring that we capture what is important to the community, and seek to balance our growth with our values. 

Council is currently preparing the background technical studies that will ensure that our Growth Management Strategy is well informed. An important part of this step is understanding community values and aspirations as we plan for a growing region. That's why Council is undertaking early engagement, to find out from you what Good Growth means for Somerset. 

Have Your Say

In this first stage of engagement, Somerset Regional Council wants to hear from the community about what matters to you, capture our shared values and aspirations, and get an understanding of what Good Growth would mean for Somerset. 

You can have your say by participating in a workshop and / or completing our survey. 

Complete our Survey

In our survey, you can tell Council what Good Growth means to you, and answer key questions about:

  • housing
  • economic growth
  • community infrastructure
  • physical infrastructure and services
  • transport and connectivity
  • the environment and local character    

Council wants to hear from as many people as possible from across our region. Whether you own a home here or rent, run a local business or work for one, or visit us for your weekends and holidays, Council wants to know what would make growth good for you.  

Our survey is open until 5pm Friday, 29 May 2026. 

Share your thoughts - complete our survey

Attend a Workshop

At our workshops, participants will be asked to share what Good Growth means to them, and discuss the opportunities, the concerns, and the priorities for supporting a growing Somerset region. 

Workshops will be held at the following locations. Registrations are essential, select a workshop to register.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a Growth Management Strategy?

The Somerset Region Growth Management Strategy will provide an agreed approach to land use management and change within our region over the next 20 years. It will outline how Council will plan for population growth by identifying the scale, location and timing of future residential and employment growth.

Why is the Growth Management Strategy needed?

The Somerset Region is expected to grow over the next 20 years and the Growth Management Strategy will enable Council to facilitate better-planned housing, and support residential and employment growth goals through carefully managed urban expansion.

What is included in the Growth Management Strategy?

As part of the project, multiple technical reports will be delivered to inform the Growth Management Strategy, including:

  • Land Suitability Analysis
  • Transport Network Strategic Review
  • Infrastructure Capacity Analysis
  • Housing Needs Assessment
  • Industrial and Employment Needs Assessment 

How will the Growth Management Strategy help preserve and protect the unique qualities of the Somerset region?

The Growth Management Strategy will identify (through the land suitability analysis) key natural assets and values so these can be protected through zoning, buffers and planning controls. Concentrating future development in appropriate locations will ensure that growth and development does not adversely impact on the amenity, character and unique natural values of the Somerset region. 

How does the Growth Management Strategy relate to the planning scheme?

The Growth Management Strategy is a strategic, non-statutory document that will inform potential amendments to our existing planning scheme and / or a new planning scheme.

The Growth Management Strategy will also identify short-term priorities for housing in an amendment to the Somerset Region Planning Scheme under section 18 of the Planning Act 2016.  

 

Will the community have a say on the Growth Management Strategy?

Yes! There are several opportunities for community to share their views and help inform the development of the Growth Management Strategy.

Initial engagement with community and stakeholders will focus on understanding community values and aspirations, including any key issues and concerns in undertaking the preparation of the Growth Management Strategy. This engagement is now open, and the community is invited to have their say by completing our survey and / or attending a workshop. Consultation ends on 5pm, 29 May 2026. 

Once the Growth Management Strategy has been drafted, it will be shared with the community, stakeholders and relevant agencies for feedback and comments. This is likely to be in early 2027. 

All feedback will be carefully reviewed and considered in finalising the Strategy. 

Stay Connected

You can register your email below to be notified of updates to the Growth Management Strategy, including when it is time to have your say on the draft Growth Management Strategy in early 2027.

Subscribe to the GMS project

Contact Council

If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact Council's planning team on (07) 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

The Growth Management Strategy is jointly funded by Somerset Regional Council and the Queensland Government under the Scheme Supply Fund.

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