West Tamar Council has become the first Tasmanian council to use artificial intelligence to help shape a long-term community plan, unveiling a draft 10-year roadmap designed to guide the region’s growth through to 2036.
The council said the AI-supported process allowed it to analyse and compare large volumes of community feedback and government planning documents in a fraction of the usual time, marking a first for local government in Tasmania.
Developed with technology created by urban futurist Stephen Yarwood, the draft strategic plan was built through what the council described as a “human-led, evidence-based” approach, with AI used to scan, summarise and identify trends across federal, state and local strategies.
Despite the use of artificial intelligence, the council said all interpretation, decision-making and final drafting remained in human hands.
The plan outlines priorities for infrastructure, population growth and community development across the West Tamar region over the next decade.
“We used AI as a second brain to read and synthesise dozens of existing strategies and hundreds of pages of community input, then turn all of it into one clear direction for the next decade,” Yarwood said.
“The technology did the heavy lifting on the evidence, but every strategic decision stayed with people.”
“The result is comprehensive, cost-effective and creative, and I am proud to commend it to the community for consultation.”
West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said the plan reflected what residents had told the council directly.
“The best plans come from honest conversations, and the West Tamar Community gave us plenty,” Holmdahl said.
“This draft plan reflects a clear message from our residents: growth is expected, but it must be well considered.”
“It has to be supported by the right infrastructure, respect the unique character of our landscape, and ultimately make everyday life better for the people who call the West Tamar home.”
Rather than listing isolated projects, the strategy is built around three themes based on how residents experience the area.
The first, Our Shape, deals with housing growth, infrastructure and protecting natural systems like the Kanamaluka/Tamar River.
Our Heart focuses on community wellbeing, parks and shared spaces that work for both young people and older residents.
Our Economy aims to shift the municipality beyond its role as a commuter region by growing local jobs, activating town centres and building on strengths in agriculture, tourism and trades.
“At its core, this is a plan about balance – balancing our growth with liveability, and our ambition with what we as a council can realistically deliver,” Holmdahl said.
“This isn’t just a wish list to sit on a shelf; it is a guide for real decisions.”
The draft plan is now open for public feedback through the West Tamar Council website.
