Shire residents are being encouraged to provide feedback on the draft Bellingen local environmental plan (LEP).

Mayor 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,” Cr 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,” he said.

“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.”

Cr 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,” Cr Troy said.

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