Department of Planning

Media Releases
from the Minister

Media Releases
from the Department

Media Releases

Department of Planning

 

Media Release - Department of Planning

Sydney: 14 October 2009


Call for community feedback on draft Bellingen local environmental plan

Bellingen residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft Bellingen local environmental plan (LEP) which is now on public exhibition, Bellingen Shire Council and the NSW Department of Planning today announced.

Mayor for Bellingen Shire, Clr Mark Troy, said that draft plan was the principal framework underpinning the future growth and development of the Shire.

“The draft plan is the culmination of several years of strategic planning work undertaken by Council, including the Bellingen Shire Growth Management Strategy 2007,” Clr Troy said.

“The draft LEP will deliver new residential land offering a potential 190 new residential lots at North Bellingen and a further 110 new lots to the south of Bellingen.

“Regionally significant farmland will also be protected through provisions restricting further subdivision of rural land.

Other features of the draft plan include new environmental protection zones conserving lands of ecological value, as well as natural or recreational waterway zonings for tidal waterways, providing specific planning controls for these areas.”

The Department’s Acting Deputy Director-General, Neil McGaffin, said that a total of $140,000 from the Department’s Planning Reform Fund had been allocated to Council to prepare and finalise the plan.

“The Department and Council have worked closely and productively to prepare the draft plan for public exhibition,” Mr McGaffin said.

“I congratulate Council on preparing this draft plan consistent with the Mid North Coast Regional Strategy and in line with the Government’s standard LEP template, which will set the future direction for land use planning in the Bellingen Shire.

“The standard LEP template provides a consistent framework for the layout, zone names and definitions of new council-wide LEPs across NSW.

“This is making planning easier to implement and to understand.”

Clr Troy called upon the community to provide feedback on the draft plan to ensure it reflects their aspirations for the Shire into the future.

“The public exhibition is a chance for residents and stakeholders to have their say on aspects of the plan that may affect them,” Clr Troy said.

“The draft plan is now on exhibition until 4 December 2009.”


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Department of Planning
Media Unit
Phone (02) 9228 6295
Facsimile (02) 9228 6564
23-33 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000