The NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Employment zone reform program will amend employment zones, land uses and local clauses in the existing local environmental plans for Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree.
This reform program has rationalised the number of employment zones and increases flexibility within the new zones to expand the land uses that are permitted, according to Director of Liveable Communities Paul De Szell.
“The reform provides a significant opportunity to fast-track the results of Council’s strategic planning program and provide clear and consistent employment zone provisions ahead of the MidCoast LEP program.”
The changes are part of an ongoing program by the Department of Planning and Environment to reform the planning system in NSW.
As part of this program, late last year all ‘environmental’ zones were converted to ‘conservation’ zones.
The changes to employment zones are in response to recommendations by the NSW Productivity Commission to rationalise the number of employment zones in NSW and to increase flexibility within the new zones to expand the land uses that are permitted.
The most recent change has seen a shift from ‘business and industrial’ zones to ’employment’ zones.
“This move addresses issues raised by our community and commercial operators during consultation undertaken in preparation for our Local Environment Plan review,” Mr De Szell said.
“The implementation of the new zones will provide new opportunities in our business centres and industrial estates.”
