FAQs

A planning proposal is a document that explains the intent and justification for a proposed change to a Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

An LEP provides a framework that guides planning decisions through land use zoning and development controls. Land use zoning determines how land can be used (for example, for housing, business, industry, or recreation) and development controls set guidelines such as the maximum building height allowed.

Changes to LEPs keep local planning controls up to date. The process of making and amending LEPs aims to make sure these changes are in keeping with broader strategies and deliver good planning outcomes.

Essentially, the preparation of a planning proposal is the first step in making a change to an LEP. Further information on the process for amending an LEP can be found on the NSW Government’s website.

This planning proposal relates to the revised permissibility of certain land uses within Zone R5 Large Lot Residential, as well as various clauses that apply to the entire Coffs Harbour Local Government Area (LGA). In this regard, the planning proposal does not apply to any one particular site.

The objectives of this planning proposal are to amend Coffs Harbour LEP 2013 to:

• Protect the character and integrity of Zone R5 Large Lot Residential by prohibiting inconsistent land uses,
• Facilitate housing diversity by permitting dual occupancies (detached) in Zone R5 Large Lot Residential where certain criteria are met,
• Allow for the construction of dual occupancies (detached) within Zone RU2 Rural Landscape and Zone R5 Large Lot Residential to be more than 50 metres away from each other,
• Permit a wider variety of boundary alterations within certain zones,
• Replace the existing Key Sites clause with a generalised clause that facilitates appropriate design outcomes of visually prominent or otherwise valued sites within and near the Coffs Harbour City Centre,
• Allow landowners in Zone RU2 Rural Landscape to construct farm dams as exempt development where certain criteria are met, and
• Protect land identified as Terrestrial Biodiversity and as Koala Habitat from complying development.

Development Control Plans (DCPs) provide detailed planning and design guidelines that support the planning controls contained within a Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

Development proposals are required to meet the objectives and requirements of relevant DCP controls.

The current Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015 is available on the City's website.

The draft DCP amendment includes the introduction of a new chapter within Part D Built Form Controls, which provides objectives and requirements for the construction of dams on land zoned RU2 Rural Landscape and R5 Large Lot Residential. This chapter shall apply to development for farm dams that do not meet the exempt development criteria included as an amendment in the planning proposal.

The draft DCP amendment also includes updates to relevant requirements for detached dual occupancies, to reflect the amendments in the planning proposal.

To protect local character and environmental values, the City's planning controls (Coffs Harbour LEP 2013) includes specific requirements for the development of detached dual occupancies. This planning proposal will permit, with approval, development for a detached dual occupancy that:

• Does not impair the use of the land or adjacent land for agriculture or rural industries,
• Is on a lot that is physically suitable for the development,
• Is on a lot that can accommodate suitable on-site wastewater management and disposal,
• Does not have adverse impacts on scenic amenity or character of the environment, and
• Does not have adverse impacts on native flora or fauna, or water quality.

A detached dual occupancy within a large lot residential zone must be located on a lot that is at least 8,000 square metres in size.

Other planning requirements may apply.

The City has received feedback from the community that its planning controls for boundary adjustments are too restrictive, as they are limited to adjustments that: 

• bear resemblance to existing lot layouts, 
• are a correction or regularisation of boundaries, 
• or render the use of the land more feasible or practical. 

The proposed changes to the City's planning controls have been made with the intent to provide more flexible boundary alterations, particularly to improve the efficiency of agriculture land uses.

No. A planning proposal is a document that proposes changes to planning controls (i.e. a change to a land use zone or control) in a local environmental plan. A development application is an application for approval to carry out development that is permitted under zoning or other controls in the LEP. 

Further information on the development assessment process is provided on the City’s Website.