Originally prepared by planning consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff, the strategy was first considered at council's October 2005 ordinary meeting and provides information relating to:

* Defining sustainable footprints to development.

* Urban form considerations (increasing housing choice, trends and coastal town issues).

* Land supply and demand.

* Housing affordability.

* Population characteristics.

* Urban design responses.

Since it was first considered, the strategy has been the subject of two public exhibitions, three public meetings and several councillor workshops.

At its September Strategic Committee Meeting, council indicated support for a number of recommended amendments to the draft strategy in response to key issues identified in public submissions.

Among the recommendations was a revised definition of Small Lot Housing.

Small Lot Housing is now defined as: "A single dwelling or duplex entitlement on lots between 300 and 450 square metres per dwelling to be dispersed across new subdivisions with a maximum floor space ratio of 0.4:1 together with a minimum 35 per cent of the site to be used for soft landscaping."

Other key recommendations include the rezoning of koala habitat in the eastern portion of Lot 1 DP 546852 Kingfisher Ave to environmental protection and no further expansion of the 2(b) development zoning on the site.

The 2(b) development zoning would also be limited around Tea Gardens in response to community concerns.

Another recommendation sees 40 per cent of residential 2(a) development (other than terrace or townhouse development) required to remain as soft landscaping to reinforce the natural, leafy character of Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest.

The draft Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest Housing Strategy will now be submitted to the Department of Planning with a request for the department's endorsement.