Southern Beaches Plan: Planning a sustainable future

Welcome to the Southern Beaches Plan community survey.

The Southern Beaches Plan will set a shared vision for Dodges Ferry, Lewisham, Carlton, Carlton River and Primrose Sands. It will guide housing, infrastructure, hazards, transport and protection of local environmental and community values.

Our first community survey in March 2026 received over 300 responses. It showed strong support for protecting the coast, managing future growth carefully, improving walking and cycling, and keeping infrastructure in step with population change. The Engagement Snapshot is available here: Community Survey Snapshot

A Discussion Paper has now been prepared to outline key issues, opportunities and choices for the area. We recommend reading the Discussion Paper before completing the survey: Southern Beaches Plan Discussion Paper

This survey is open from Thursday 16th July to Wednesday 12th August 2026.

The survey takes around 10-15 minutes. Responses are anonymous unless you choose to leave your details for project updates.

Thank you for taking the time to participate.

4.Which of the following best describes your household?

Other (please specify)

6.What is your gender?

Female

Male

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

7.Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

Yes

Prefer not to say

People and housing
The Southern Beaches is shifting from a holiday and shack area to a more permanent community. Forecasts suggest around 1,000 more residents will call the area home over the next 20 years. Earlier engagement raised concerns about affordability, rental availability and managing housing so it fits coastal character and infrastructure capacity.

8.What housing needs are most important for the Southern Beaches Plan to respond to?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

More options for smaller households, including singles and couples

Housing that supports older residents to stay in the area as they age

Better rental availability for local residents and workers

Housing that is suitable for families

Better affordability for first home buyers

Managing the impact of holiday homes and short-stay accommodation on year-round housing supply

Not sure

9.Which types of housing should be considered in the Southern Beaches?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

10.What are your priorities housing in the Southern Beaches, including what is needed for older residents and future generations?

Local economy and services
The Southern Beaches has a modest local business base and relies on Sorell and Greater Hobart for jobs, major retail, health and specialised services. Earlier engagement noted demand for more everyday services while keeping growth small-scale and consistent with local character.

11.What level of local business and service growth do you think is appropriate?
(Select one)

Little or no change to the current local business and service offer

Small-scale growth to improve existing local services, while still relying on Sorell for many needs

Moderate growth, including a broader range of shops and services, while still relying on Sorell for some needs

Greater local growth, so Sorell is mainly used for more specialised services

Other (please specify)

12.What would make a positive difference to local services and business activity?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

More attractive and usable shopfronts in existing centres

Improved parking around local centres

Better public transport access to shops, services and nearby centres

Improved lighting around local centres and key access routes

A greater range of shops and services that bring more activity to local centres

Better public spaces, seating, shade or landscaping near local shops

Other (please specify)

13.Are there any gaps in local services or businesses that affect your day-to-day life? If so, where?

Environment and coastal areas
The Southern Beaches’ natural environment is central to local identity. The earlier survey showed strong support for protecting coastal areas, natural places and water quality, and for managing hazards more carefully.

14.What aspects of the natural environment matter most to you in the Southern Beaches?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Beaches and coastal landscapes

Waterways, lagoons and wetlands

Native vegetation and bushland

Wildlife and habitat

Managing natural hazards such as erosion, flooding and bushfire

Access to natural areas

Protecting farmland in the surrounding area

Other (please specify)

15.What types of actions or changes would you like to see to care for these environments?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Improving how stormwater and runoff is managed

Restoring or rehabilitating natural areas such as dunes, wetlands and vegetation

Managing access to reduce damage such as limiting informal tracks or formalising paths

Better planning around development in sensitive or hazard-prone areas

Improved facilities that support responsible use such as clear paths, signage and amenities

Community education or stewardship programs

Other (please specify)

16.Are there specific environmental places or issues that need attention? Please name the location if you can.

Transport and movement
The Southern Beaches community rely on cars to move around, with gaps in walking, cycling and public transport. Earlier engagement supported safer walking and cycling, and highlighted issues on routes to schools and bus stops, and parking at Park Beach, Carlton Beach and Primrose Sands.

17.Where should transport and movement improvements be prioritised first?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Routes to schools, shops and community facilities

Beach access areas and car parks

Main local roads such as Lewisham Scenic Drive, Old Forcett Road, Carlton River Road, Carlton Beach Road, and Primrose Sands Road

Local streets

Walking and cycling paths

Public transport, including bus frequency, routes, shelters, and access to stops

Other (please specify)

18.What would make the biggest difference to how people get around the Southern Beaches?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Safer crossings and lower traffic speeds

More continuous and connected footpaths

Better street lighting

Improved bus services

Improved bus stops

Better parking and safer pedestrian access at beach areas

Improved traffic and parking management at shopping areas

Other (please specify)

19.Where are the most important locations for transport, access or safety improvements?

Community facilities, parks and recreation
The Southern Beaches has valued community places and recreation areas. Earlier engagement highlighted the importance of beaches, parks, playgrounds, meeting spaces and everyday community places, as well as gaps in indoor space, youth opportunities, childcare and health access.

20.What are the biggest gaps in community facilities, recreation and open space?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

More flexible indoor community spaces, such as halls and multi-use rooms

Better parks, play spaces and everyday recreation areas

More facilities or spaces for teens, such as informal recreation areas or places to meet

Better access to health services such as GPs or allied health

More childcare and family services

Better access to existing facilities, rather than more facilities overall

Upgrades to existing facilities, parks and foreshore areas rather than new standalone assets

Improved formalised sporting facilities such as ovals, courts, or training spaces

Other (please specify)

21.What improvements would make the biggest difference to community life and recreation?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Upgrading parks and public places with better shade, seating, toilets and amenity

Improving safe access to coastal reserves and foreshore areas

Improving walking, cycling and local access to existing parks, beaches, halls and recreation facilities

Making existing community spaces such as community halls more flexible and easier to use

Support for local youth activity through dedicated spaces and outreach services

More local programs and events that bring people together

Other (please specify)

22.What specific facilities, parks or recreation spaces need improvement?

Infrastructure and servicing
The Southern Beaches relies on rainwater tanks, water carting, onsite wastewater and local stormwater systems which shapes what development is feasible and how environmental risks are managed. Earlier engagement raised concerns about wastewater, stormwater, water supply, emergency resilience and how infrastructure can keep up with change.

23.Which infrastructure or servicing issues concern you most?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Household water supply and long-term water security in an area without connected water

Onsite wastewater systems and the risk of environmental impacts

Stormwater management, drainage and runoff into waterways

Infrastructure constraints on future housing or development such as water and sewer

Environmental and public health risks

Emergency access, resilience and how infrastructure performs during bushfire, flooding, storm events or outages

Other (please specify)

24.What would improve infrastructure and servicing outcomes the most?
(Select up to 3)(Required.)

Stronger limits on where development can occur, based on sewerage infrastructure servicing

Better stormwater and environmental management in coastal and low-lying locations

Improved guidance, standards and oversight for onsite wastewater and stormwater systems

Better coordination between planning, environmental management, emergency management and infrastructure decisions

More place-specific investigation of where servicing limitations are most acute and where they may be more manageable

Other (please specify)

25.Are there specific infrastructure or servicing issues affecting your area? Please name the location if you can.

Local centres and precincts
The draft precinct plans focus on three locations: the Dodges Ferry Shopping Precinct, the Dodges Ferry Community and Recreation Precinct, and the Primrose Sands Community Precinct. They identify ways to make these places safer, more attractive and better connected.

26.Which local centres or community precincts do you use regularly?
Select all that apply

Dodges Ferry shopping area around the Hill Street Grocer and nearby shops on Carlton Beach Road

Dodges Ferry area around the primary school, swim centre, recreation ground and Okines Community House area

Primrose Sands around the store, service station, hall and beach access area

Lewisham, including the foreshore, village and tavern

Park Beach café area

Other (please specify)

27.What feedback do you have on the draft Precinct Plans?

28.Would you like to receive updates about the Southern Beaches Plan?

Yes

If Yes, please enter your email:

Thank you for completing this survey.

Your feedback will help Council understand what matters, what needs attention, and what you want for the future of your community.

Updates and future engagement opportunities will be shared on the project page and Council’s social media channels.

We look forward to continuing the conversation.

Southern Beaches Plan: Planning a sustainable future - Community Survey