Blayney Draft Settlement Strategy on display

Five months and numerous meetings later, Cr Reynolds is more than happy to back the second draft, and even a third if any major changes are proposed by the community.

"The two drafts are chalk and cheese," Cr Reynolds said.

"But what's important is that the community now participates in one of the several forums that are to be held throughout the shire.

"These forums will be similar to the ones that Regis Resources held at the Community Centre where you can just drop in rather than a formal meeting.

"This way individuals can provide feedback to the staff in person, rather than in a public setting."

Cr David Kingham supports the strategy, except for one element, the minimum size of blocks in and around the shire's villages, particularly Lyndhurst.

Without access to mains sewerage the EPA recommends that the minimum size of any block on a septic system is 4,000 square metres, a size that he believes is hampering development

"We need to be doing whatever we can to get these places to grow, to find those areas where the geology is suitable for smaller lots and allow them to build there," he said.

"Not everyone wants a large block in these villages, but they still want the lifestyle that they present.

"Blayney and Millthorpe can look after themselves, they're growing anyway."

Blayney Council's Director of Planning and Environmental Services Mark Dicker said that the BSS sets the direction for the Local Environment Plans for each location and that residents are welcome to chat at any time.

"It really is quite a complicated document and this is the time, both good and bad, for people to let us know what they think," he said.

"It's important that people come to speak to us before they put a submission in so that we can articulate what is a complex subject to talk to everyone about."

Details of the BSS, and times and locations of the community information sessions are available on council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/your-council/on-exhibition