The mapping software enables council's strategic planners to better visualise the impacts of proposed developments within the context of their surrounding environment.

Senior GIS Officer, Craig Townsend, said the modelling capability enables council's strategic planners to run specific models to investigate short, medium and longer-term development scenarios in the shire's urban growth areas.

"The three-dimensional representation helps to assess the suitability of certain development proposals in terms of height, bulk, scale, overshadowing and privacy," he said.

"The application allows us to generate views and sight-lines which will help in determining the effects various development models might have on the character and amenity of established neighbourhoods, particularly in areas with high environmental and scenic value."

The use of 3D modelling in planning improves visualisation of proposed developments within existing neighbourhoods. It also provides greater control and accuracy in assessment as the software provides the viewer with the ability to zoom, pan and rotate over and between objects.

The 3D modelling was recently used by council to represent a development proposal for Crescent Head and how it would fit in the context of its surroundings.

The software will provide council with an integrated digital resource for longer-term strategic projects such as growth management strategies and neighbourhood community plans.

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