Planning for a region covers a strategic regional scheme, a regional plan and an operational regional development programme. The Council draws up plans and programmes in cooperation with State and local government and with businesses and organisations within the region.
The basis for regional land use planning is the Land Use and Building Act. The land use plan defines the use of areas needed for particular purposes and the principles of urban structure from the point of view of regional development. It provides guidelines for the member municipalities and for all other land use planning in the region.