Tamworth Regional Council recently invited the public to lodge Expressions of Interest (EOIs) as part of the review of the Tamworth Regional LEP.
Blueprint 100 plans for future growth to ensure that Tamworth is a smart, sustainable, regional leader. The review of the Tamworth Regional LEP is essential for planning provisions that will guide our housing, business, agriculture, industry, and employment opportunities within liveable, sustainable and prosperous communities, in line with the vision of Blueprint 100.
What is a LEP?
An LEP (Local Environmental Plan) provides the framework for the way land can be developed and used. The LEP sets rules for zones, permissible land uses, building density, lot sizes and cultural, and built heritage.
Why are we changing the LEP?
LEPs need to be reviewed periodically to ensure they meet best planning practice and are aligned with community values and aspirations and the directions of Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement and state plans such as the New England North West Regional Plan 2041.
Update March 2023
Council is currently working through the large number of Expressions of Interest received during the EOI period and over the last 10 years.
Individuals who lodged a submission will receive feedback on their suggestions and enquiries directly as submissions are reviewed.
Once all submissions have been reviewed, a workshop process will begin with elected Councillors before the new LEP is drafted in preparation for public exhibition. This is a significant and very time-consuming process.
At this stage it is expected that the new LEP will not be ready for public exhibition until 2024.
Where can I find the current LEP provisions for my land?
Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest in relation to the review of the LEP were open between Monday 24 October and Monday 5 December 2022.
Residents were able to provide submissions on zoning, rural lands, lot size, floor space ratio and heritage listings.
Types of changes explained
Your EOI may seek changes to the following:
- Residential zoning
- Business zoning
- Industrial zoning
- Other zoning
Your EOI may relate to one or more of the following:
- Lot size within rural / primary production areas
- Zoning / permissible uses
- Environmental matters
Please note: Your EOI will be assessed against a range of criteria which includes: infrastructure provision, primary production, environmental attributes and natural constraints.
Your EOI may seek changes to the following:
- Residential lot size
- Business lot size
- Industrial lot size
Your EOI may seek changes to the following:
- New FSR on commercial, industrial or employment zones
- Review existing FSR within LEP
Floor Space Ratio can be a difficult concept to visualise. The following example shows how an FSR of 0.5:1 can be achieved on a single lot. Maximum FSR is the floor area you may build compared to the total area of the block.
For an FSR of 0.5:1: if site area = 1000m2, then floor area allowed = 500m2
Your EOI may seek one or more of the following:
- New listing of heritage places, buildings or natural landscapes
- Aboriginal heritage
- Archaeology
- Review current heritage listings
