3.1 Preliminary

The Gladstone Regional Council was formed on 15 March 2008 through the amalgamation of the former Gladstone City Council, Calliope Shire Council, Miriam Vale Shire Council and the Gladstone Calliope Aerodrome Board.

The vision for the Gladstone Region is to be recognised, nationally and internationally, as a sustainable 'region of choice' for achieving the best integration of large industry and commerce, environmental protection and community wellbeing. The region will be renowned for balance: a friendly, clean and vibrant place in which to live, work and retire.

The strategic framework sets the policy direction for the planning scheme and forms the basis for ensuring appropriate development occurs within the planning scheme area for the life of the planning scheme.

Mapping for the strategic framework is included in Schedule 2 Mapping.

For the purpose of articulating the policy direction for the planning scheme, the strategic framework is structured in the following way:

1. the strategic intent
2. there are six themes that work together to articulate the complete policy direction which include:
   1. Gateway to the world
   2. Community living
   3. Connecting our places
   4. Building it better – our urban areas
   5. Our environment and heritage
   6. Our rural and coastal townships and places
3. the strategic outcomes sought for development in the planning scheme area for each theme, and
4. the elements that refine and further describe the strategic outcomes.

Although each theme has its own section, the strategic framework is read in its entirety as the policy direction for the planning scheme.