We need to plan for the future so the places where we live, work and play are attractive, meet our needs and are sustainable.

Land use planning orders and regulates the use of land to encourage good development in the right locations. The underpinning principle of any plan is to ensure that social, environmental and economic systems are sustainable into the future.

We presently have two planning schemes - one that covers the former Warwick Shire area and one that covers the former Stanthorpe Shire area. Both schemes contain different guidelines and requirements for development in the area that they apply to.

As well as providing a consistent approach to decision making in the new regional area, the new planning scheme gives us an opportunity to look again at all the planning issues in the area.

Planning is about growth. A new planning scheme can't affect existing uses but can affect how growth is managed.

If we don't plan now, we may not be able to maintain or improve our lifestyle and sustainable urban and rural communities into the future.

The success of our plan depends on the interest, support and cooperation of all the stakeholders including the community, the Council and State government departments.