PUBLIC feedback is being sought on a draft document that has been touted as the future of Bathurst by councillors.
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The document, called Vision Bathurst 2040, is the local strategic planning statement (LSPS) prepared by Bathurst Regional Council to guide how land is used in the region over the next 20 years.
Council was required to develop the document by the NSW Government and will need to have an adopted version in place by July 1, which is why community feedback is now being sought.
Vision 2040 outlines how council will manage land use change as the region moves towards a population of approximately 55,000 over the next 20 years.
The LSPS is not a local environmental plan (LEP), which means it does not zone land or consider individual sites.
Council has included 19 priorities in its vision for the future, split into four categories: infrastructure and transport, diverse and strong economy, heritage and sustainable environment, and dynamic and healthy communities.
The number one priority is a plan for water security.
Other priorities include maintaining a thriving local business and retail economy, becoming a smart city, protecting indigenous cultural heritage, maximising tourism opportunities, and to deliver social, community and cultural infrastructure.
Councillors have praised Vision Bathurst 2040 highly and encouraged community members to take the opportunity now to have their final say on the plan.
"I hope that the community does read it in detail, as it gives such a picture of what we want to do for the future," councillor Monica Morse said.
"It is the ideal world that we are hoping for."
Cr Jacqui Rudge also stressed the importance of community members having their say.
"I hope that the community does take this on board, reads it thoroughly and gives us their input into this, because we hear about it later, people I guess complaining, saying why aren't we doing this, why aren't we doing that," she said.
"But we need people's input into this, and they need to have an understanding of the reasons why we are doing things and what, as far as local government, state government and federal government, are responsible for."
All documents associated with Vision Bathurst 2040 can be found at yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/visionbathurst.
People have until May 20 to make a submission on the plan. This can be done via the website.
