Circular Head Council releases draft settlement strategy

It might be one of the smaller municipalities in Tasmania, but one council in the North-West is bracing for an influx of people and is taking steps to be prepared for it.

The Nut at Stanley on Tasmania's North-West coast Picture: CORDELL RICHARDSON

Circular Head might be one of the smallest councils by population, but the municipality covers a large area.

The council is also expected to grow population-wise in the future.

To address the potential issues of population growth, the Circular Head Council has released a draft settlement strategy for public consultation.

Circular Head Mayor Gerard Blizzard said the strategy aimed to balance housing and growth with the need to protect the region’s natural assets.

“There are so many variables involved in population growth,” Mr Blizzard said.

Circular Head Mayor Gerard Blizzard. Picture: Supplied.

“Those variables are things like the Robbins Island Wind Farm, and any extra business or developments we get down here will have an impact on growth.

“The idea behind the strategy is to look through what our preferred directions would be rather than go ad hoc and have no plan in place if there’s an influx of people.”

While he said there was a need for houses, Mr Blizzard believed that issue was under control.

“It’s an issue everywhere, but we have got housing developments approved.

“There’s something like 300 building lots that have been approved, so the next step is for them to be actually built.”

Mr Blizzard said it was vital that the natural assets of Circular Head were protected.

“We’ve got a variety of different views, landscapes and seascapes around our community that are important within the community.

“Yes, we want to grow the community, but at the same time, we’re very aware of the work being done on the scenic protection values that they are protected in a way that they are not pulled from the community.”

Mr Blizzard said he was confident the region would have sustainable growth.

“Any of these places can be built on; you just got to have a little bit of thought put into it.”