| |
|
|
Media Releases |
Media Release - Department of Planning Sydney: 26 June 2009 TAMWORTH REGIONAL LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN READY FOR EXHIBITION Tamworth Regional Council has been given the go-ahead to publicly exhibit its draft council-wide local environmental plan (LEP), which will support strong growth in residential and employment lands within the region, council and the NSW Department of Planning has announced.
The preparation of the LEP will streamline the local planning regime by consolidating the five existing LEPs which the council has been using since it was amalgamated in 2004 into one planning instrument.
Tamworth Regional Mayor, Clr James Treloar, said that the new LEP had been drafted to simplify development processes within the Tamworth Region and provide a planning framework in which economic activity may flourish into the future.
“Council is very pleased to be in a position to present the draft LEP to the Tamworth community and we will be embarking on a comprehensive consultation process within the coming month.”
Clr Treloar said that the local plan would also provide around 100 hectares of new residential land as well as a new 120 hectare business park zone adjacent to Tamworth Regional Airport.
“The business park site was identified in the Tamworth Regional Development Strategy as an important site to expand the economic base of Tamworth, and could be utilised for a variety of light industry, warehouse and logistics uses.”
The draft plan will also implement the council’s preferred policy to provide a range of minimum lot sizes for various rural lands in the local area depending on current land use patterns, the potential for rural land use conflict, natural environmental constraints and access to services.
A number of local provisions have been included in the draft LEP, that: • Support the conservation of heritage properties; • Protect and maintain existing infrastructure investment; and • Support the ongoing operation of Tamworth Regional Airport by minimising nearby land use conflicts.
Department of Planning executive director for planning operations, Neil McGaffin, said that the draft LEP had been prepared using the standard template, which aims to clarify State planning controls.
“The standard template provides a consistent framework for the layout, zone names and definitions of new council-wide LEPs across NSW, making them more user friendly,” Mr McGaffin said.
“At the same time, councils still have the flexibility to incorporate planning strategies specific to their local area.
“The Department of Planning and council have worked closely together to ensure the council’s aspirations for the development of the area are accurately reflected and supported by this new planning instrument.”
The draft LEP draws upon the extensive planning work undertaken by the council to date, including the Tamworth Regional Development Strategy, which has been endorsed by the Department, and the industrial land use strategies for Taminda and the Glen Artney Estate.
|