THE first comprehensive overhaul of the Blayney Shire's planning rules in nearly 15 years has been achieved after NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard approved the new 2012 Blayney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) last week.
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Blayney Shire Council's environmental services director Leon Rodwell said the new plan replaces the previous LEP which was 14 years old.
He said the new LEP will help the shire manage future growth while recognising and protecting its important natural and cultural environments, and drinking water catchments.
"The LEP is a legal document that sets the land use planning framework for the future," Mr Rodwell said.
"It identifies what can be built on an area of land or for what purpose it can be used, and contributes to the development of the local economy by identifying and managing employment land, employment opportunities and supporting tourism. Importantly, it provides enough appropriately zoned land to meet the state Government's employment capacity targets."
Mr Rodwell said the new LEP sees environmental protection zones redefined as environmentally sensitive areas, while drinking water catchments have been protected from inappropriate development.
"Council undertook extensive strategic planning work in a Settlement Strategy to obtain a solid grounding for the LEP to allow more progressive and innovative development, thus benefiting the shire as a whole," he said.
"The Draft LEP attracted numerous submissions when it was publicly exhibited in early 2012 and council made amendments to the draft, where appropriate, to respond to many of the issues.
"A great deal of effort has gone into finalising the new comprehensive LEP by both the community and council.
"The LEP is consistent with the government's standard instrument and will be a blueprint for development of the Blayney Shire for the short to medium term," Mr Rodwell said.
