Planning for sustainable rural residential development

Abstract

This thesis will examine planning for sustainable rural residential development. The region of South East Queensland is used as the study area to ascertain the effectiveness of rural residential development in this regard.The subject under discussion is important to urban and regional planning because of the high rate of population growth expected in South East Queensland and associated with this, is the growing popularity of rural residential development as an alternative to urban living. In South East Queensland, the area designated for rural residential development is greater than that allocated for urban development. Rural residential development is cause for concern as it can have both positive and negative impacts. It is acknowledged that priority should be given to urban development to accommodate the expected population increase in the South East Queensland region, however the function that rural residential development could provide in this scenario also warrants significant attention.Rural residential development is a form of development that influences the settlement pattern or shape of a city or shire. Positive and negative implications of rural residential development affect not only the city/ shire boundary, but also the resident community and the environment. Thus, rural residential development needs to be examined with regard to the likely physical, environmental and socio-economic implications such a land use may have, and how sustainable land use planning can be utilised to maximise benefits and minimise costs.This thesis will investigate the nature of rural residential development through a discussion of trends, demands and issues associated with this type of development. By establishing the costs and benefits, the study will examine the key positive and negative implications of rural residential development that are necessary to consider in planning for sustainable rural residential development. Particular emphasis is given to the physical, environmental and socio-economic costs and benefits of rural residential development.Current planning instruments will be examined for their attention to the costs and benefits of rural residential development. A case study will be utilised to determine the effectiveness of local planning instruments in planning for sustainable rural residential development. Logan City is to be examined because of the urban fringe nature of the city, its choice of both rural residential and urban residential development and its increasing population.Planning for sustainable rural residential development could be achieved and maintained with greater emphasis on proactive regional planning, coordinated levels of government and strategic planning approaches. Prime considerations for planning sustainable rural residential development will be outlined.Although the problems associated with rural residential development need to be canvassed, the examination of planning for sustainable rural residential development should be analysed to ascertain firstly, whether the land use can deal with the anticipated population growth in the South East Queensland region and secondly, its associated physical, environmental and socio-economic implications.