Shoalhaven City Council will place its new Draft Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2009 on public exhibition for a period of 13 weeks from today, Monday 18 July until October 14.
The draft Shoalhaven LEP will become the City’s major ongoing strategic planning tool. Once completed, it will represent the most significant change to planning and development in the Shoalhaven local government area in more than 25 years, replacing the current LEP which dates back to 1985.
The new Plan has been prepared to be consistent with the NSW Government’s standard LEP template, which supports a common format and terminology for new council plans to make them easier to understand.
The template also provides for local flexibility in recognition of Council’s important planning role.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said that once completed the document would guide all future planning decisions via zonings and development controls.
“I’m very pleased that Council is now in a position to present this extremely important planning document to the City,” said Clr Green.
“The completed Shoalhaven LEP will have implications for residents throughout the entire City so I would strongly encourage all residents to take the time to view the document and make comment before the closing date on 14 October.”
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s Southern Region director Brett Whitworth said the NSW Government had provided some $161,000 in funding towards the preparation of the draft LEP.
Mr Whitworth said the draft LEP implemented many of the key directions of the NSW Government’s South Coast Regional Strategy.
“For instance, the draft LEP implements the requirement of the regional strategy to add to employment lands in existing economic centres by rezoning 92 hectares of new industrial land at South Nowra, which will help to provide employment opportunities for Shoalhaven residents,” said Mr Whitworth.
“It also implements the recommendations of a NSW Government independent review initiated by the regional strategy into a number of sensitive coastal sites.
“It will help meet the ongoing housing needs of the area, with a particular focus on new housing around Nowra Bomaderry, and implement the regional strategy’s aim to protect regionally significant employment lands, including HMAS Albatross naval base and Ulladulla Harbour.
“The Department has worked closely with the Council on its LEP for some time and I am very pleased to support it being placed on exhibition.”
The draft Shoalhaven LEP will be available for viewing at six separate locations throughout the City during the exhibition period.
These include –
• Nowra Administration Building – Bridge Road, Nowra
• Ulladulla Admin Building – 14 Deering Street, Ulladulla
• Bay and Basin Leisure Centre – 167A The Wool Road, Vincentia
• Nowra Library – 10 Berry Street, Nowra
• Ulladulla Library – 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla
• Sanctuary Point Library – 34 Paradise Beach Road, Sanctuary Point
Further to this Council has launched a new specialised website, www.slep2009.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au to coincide with the exhibition period.
This new website will include links to the entire document, mapping, extensive background information and will provide users with the ability to make a submission online. Computers with links to the website will be set up at most of the separate exhibition locations.
“There are a host of ways to find out more information before making a detailed and informed submission about the draft Shoalhaven LEP,” said Clr Green.
“Council has organised a number of exhibition locations, an informative website dedicated exclusively to the draft LEP as well as a host of fact sheets that will carry information on all facets of the draft Plan.
“On top of this Council staff will be attending a series of community drop in sessions throughout the City as part of the exhibition process. Details of locations and dates will be released closer to the meetings.”
After the exhibition period, Council will have an opportunity to consider the submissions received before finalising the LEP and submitting it to the Department for approval.
Department of Planning and Infrastructure media contact: Laurel-Lee Roderick, 9228 6128
Shoalhaven City Council Contact: Shoalhaven City Mayor Councillor Paul Green (02) 4429 3251
0423 881 873
