A five-stage engagement process led to the draft Bonny Hills Community Plan.

The plan’s vision is to conserve the surrounding natural environment and wildlife, maintain the village character, promote safe roads, ensure clean water and sustain the community’s quality of lifestyle by ensuring well-planned and environmentally sensitive development.

The draft Bonny Hills Community Plan was on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s August meeting agenda.

The plan’s consideration was deferred to the September 19 council meeting.

The council has asked the general manager to undertake further engagement with the Bonny Hills Progress Association on the draft plan and improvements to the community plan process.

That is in light of the association’s involvement to date.

Community consultation included community workshops, a family fun day, postcard campaign and a 28-day draft community plan exhibition period.

Deputy mayor Cr Lisa Intemann said the Bonny Hills Community Plan was the first of 17 community plans across the local government area and it was a great way to start.

“This is the start of the council’s new approach to community engagement regarding each of our centres of population,” she said.

Cr Intemann said the council was looking to empower the communities to set their own path, within reason, in a partnership with the council.

The Bonny Hills Community Plan identifies the key assets in the community including open spaces, community groups and events, and natural landscapes. 

It also identifies the character and aesthetic of the village.

Actions within the plan, once endorsed, will form the basis of council-community collaboration for implementation of the community plan. 

The draft plan said Bonny Hills residents remained very clear about the type of place they wished to develop and nurture.

“The community supports sound planning that allows for growth while respecting and preserving the things they value, especially the natural environment and its village character,” the draft plan said.

“There is no appetite for intrusive industrial development or high-rise housing but, instead, a concern to improve existing issues that impinge on the safety and quality of life.

“Of longer-term importance are the things that enhance the sense and experience of community and the need for a deliberate focus on the needs of the young.”

The council report said community plans enabled the council to understand the issues and priorities for each community, assess these priorities in relationship to operational plan development and encourage community-led place development.