Scamander-Beaumaris structure plan

Break O’Day Council is preparing a structure plan for the Scamander-Beaumaris area to provide a strategic planning framework to guide growth and change over the next 15 years, to 2040.

The Structure Plan is shaped by community needs, economic opportunities, population trends, and local planning. It also looks at the ‘big picture’ things that influence where people want to live, work, visit and invest.

The Plan will guide sustainable development and prioritise liveability for today’s residents and the next generation. It will provide a shared vision for the future, developed in collaboration with the community, for the community. The Plan will also inform the review of the Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy.

About the project

Why do we plan?

As our neighbourhoods evolve and our needs change, we must make thoughtful decisions about what matters most to ensure our communities are liveable, vibrant, and productive. Planning considers things like health, quality of life, local business, heritage and the environment.

Navigating change

Break O’Day is changing, and the Scamander-Beaumaris area is growing, now representing almost one fifth of the Break O’Day population. That’s where setting a long-term vision will help us. We need to imagine where we’d love to be in the future in order to map the steps we’ll take to get there.

The project team

Break O’Day Council has engaged Era Advisory and Playstreet to lead the project. The team are Tasmanian leaders in strategic land use planning, and landscape and urban design. The team will work closely with Council and the community to ensure the Plan reflects local needs and aspirations.

Your voice

Planning is a collaborative effort that includes everyone, because we are all affected by our surrounding environment. This means that everyone has a role to play in the planning process. Visit the ‘Have your say’ page to learn how your voice can help shape the project.

Project timeline

  • This stage involves in-depth place research and demographic analysis to inform the preparation of a discussion paper.

    The discussion paper provides a snapshot of the current state of Scamander and Beaumaris, their character, strengths, and challenges. It includes an early analysis of future trends to inform the direction for community engagement and the key focus areas for the structure plan.

    Head to the ‘Have your say’ page to read the discussion paper.

  • This stage involved early engagement with the Scamander and Beaumaris communities.

    No one knows a place better than the people who live, work and play there. This round of engagement will focus on understanding community values, priorities and vision for the future.

    Head to the ‘Have your say’ page to find out how you can get involved.

  • This stage involves the preparation of a Draft Structure Plan.

    The Draft Structure Plan will build on the research undertaken in stage one and the community feedback received in stage two.

    The structure plan will be based on an understanding of community needs, economic opportunities (including emerging industries), population trends, local planning context, and the external ‘big picture’ environment that all influence the places people want to live, work, visit and invest in. It will provide a shared vision for the future of the settlements, developed in partnership with the community, for the community.

  • This stage will see the Draft Structure Plan released for public exhibition in late 2025.

    We will be providing a range of community engagement opportunities so you can have your say on the Draft Structure Plan.

  • This stage of the project will see the Structure Plan finalised and put forward to Break O’Day Council for endorsement.

    The final Structure Plan will be updated to reflect what we heard from the community in Stage 4. It will be accompanied by a ‘What we heard’ report that summarises community feedback.

  • This stage involves the launch of the Structure Plan so Council can begin implementing the actions.

    This is an exciting time, where Council and the community can work together to bring the plan to life!

Frequently asked questions

  • A structure plan provides the strategic direction for a community. It seeks to understand any change and work with Council to determine a shared vision of the character of the area.

  • After a structure plan is endorsed by Council, this can result in a change to the Planning Scheme, such as changing the zoning from General Residential to Village or Local Business in certain locations.

  • A Structure Plan should reflect the values of the community and Council in what they want to see in the area. Its really important to have your say so we can understand what you value the most, and what you would like to see more of in your community.

  • There will be opportunity to provide feedback at two stages; at this early fact finding stage, and then again later in 2025 on the draft Structure Plan.