An extraordinary meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on Wednesday, September 30 adopted the Shaping Our Future 2040 - Local Strategic Planning Statement as exhibited with minor amendments.

The adoption met the state government's September 30 timeline for completion of regional local strategic planning statements.

Shaping Our Future 2040 is the local government area's core strategic land use planning document.

It outlines the vision for land use planning over the next 20 years and sets the direction for the community's environmental, social and economic land use needs.

Residents concerned about "out-of-character" developments in residential areas and what the long-term future of development and growth looks like had the chance to shape the direction of future planning by providing feedback.

The draft statement attracted 35 public submissions and 12 government agency submissions during the exhibition period.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann encouraged people to read the document.

"It is certainly a very big picture that's being presented and a visionary statement for how council could move forward with its planning for the local area for the next 20 years and more," she said.

Cr Intemann said the statement's adoption by September 30 made the council entitled to apply for $3 million under the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.

She said the statement established clear priorities and ambitions for council regarding the development of our area.

"It puts aside the notion that economic growth is simply related to money invested, buildings built, and takes also the focus on human needs, human desires in terms of liveability, wellbeing, clean air and water, clean energy - the list goes on," Cr Intemann said.

Cr Sharon Griffiths said the document was designed to be proactive, not reactive.

Shaping Our Future 2040, together with the Community Strategic Plan Towards 2030, sets the direction for our community's environmental, social and economic needs into the future.

The council will write to thank those who made a submission to the draft Local Strategic Planning Statement.

There will be a councillor workshop.

A further report is then due to the November council meeting following full due consideration of submissions received during the exhibition period including any revision to the Local Strategic Planning Statement.

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