Far North Queensland Regional Plan review

The Far North Queensland Regional Plan ( 3.3 MB) is currently being reviewed to guide growth and support future jobs. Consultation on the proposed draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025 will open soon.

The Queensland Government has made a Government Election Commitment (GEC) to ‘develop new regional plans which cover every corner of the State, in conjunction with infrastructure plans that protect the lifestyle of our communities and appropriately cater for growth’ and to reset the planning partnership with local governments.

Since the commencement of the existing Far North Queensland Regional Plan ( 3.3 MB) in 2009, the region has undergone significant growth and change, making a review both necessary and timely. The review will respond to the various changes to the economy, industry, community, lifestyle and environment.

The Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009 includes the local government areas of:

  • Cairns Regional Council
  • Cassowary Coast Regional Council
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Mareeba Shire Council
  • Tablelands Regional Council
  • Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council
  • Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.

We are working with local governments, key stakeholders and the community to review the Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009 to help guide future growth and ensure the plan is fit for purpose and beneficial for the region.

  • Regional plans provide a spatial representation of how a region, encompassing multiple local government areas, will grow and respond to change over the long term. They are statutory instruments under Queensland’s Planning Act (2016) and must be followed by local governments when they prepare their local land use planning schemes.

  • A regional plan sets the long-term, strategic direction for how a region will grow and respond to change over time through a statutory policy framework and spatial mapping.

    Regional plans encourage councils to coordinate and consider opportunities and solutions across their boundaries. Regional plans also help manage conflicts about what land should be used for key infrastructure, industry development, investment, housing and protecting the natural environment.

  • The current Far North Queensland Regional Plan was released in 2009. Since then, legislative and policy changes have occurred as well as population growth and development. The review will update the current plan to respond to these changes and be fit-for-purpose and consistent with government policy.

    The review will address and respond to the changes to the economic, social, and environmental context of the Far North Queensland region.

  • The review will support emerging regional economic opportunities, respond to key regional housing needs and support growth while protecting the natural environment.

    The review will provide the policy direction for the region to sustain future growth while supporting future jobs, housing, liveability, infrastructure and the environment.

  • The department is undertaking engagement with local government, key stakeholders and the community.

    Early consultation has informed the technical work of the draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025, leading into statutory public consultation.

    A draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025 will be published at the beginning of the statutory consultation period. This will allow community to share their thoughts, provide key insights, and offer feedback ahead of finalising the plan.

  • Consultation on the new draft plan will open soon. If you have any enquiries about the regional planning process, email us at FNQRP@dsdip.qld.gov.au

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Last updated: 05 Nov 2025