Mayor Col Murray advised, “The publication of the new LEP should result in a modern, consistent planning framework

for the Council area where 1 comprehensive LEP and 1 comprehensive DCP now have effect. However, Council is very

concerned that the Minister for Planning has introduced some last minute amendments that significantly change the

form and content of the Plan endorsed by Council.”

The formulation of the Tamworth Regional LEP is the result of several years of strategic planning involving

extensive community consultation. This process began with the development of the Tamworth Regional Development

Strategy 2008 with the involvement and collaboration of State Government Agencies and the community.
 
The Draft LEP was exhibited from 14 July to 25 August 2009 following which Council considered approximately 250

submissions to the public exhibition. In light of the submissions from the public, Council adopted an amended

Draft LEP on 7 June 2010 which was forwarded to the Department of Planning for publication.

“The Council listened to the community throughout the process and in response recommended that a significant

number of changes be made to the exhibited Draft LEP,” said Mayor Murray, “however despite the positive

involvement of the local Department of Planning Office many of these recommendations have not been included in the

published LEP. In fact, significant changes seem to have been made by the Minister without consultation with

Tamworth Regional Council on the practical implications of those changes”.

The Mayor expressed concern regarding the implications of the new flood planning provisions, revised Tamworth

Regional Airport clause, as well as restrictions on the development of food processing industry to the west of the

Glen Artney industrial area and restrictions on bulky goods development in industrial zones.

The changed flood planning clause expands the areas covered by flood planning provisions adjacent to rivers and

waterways across the Council area beyond the mapping currently held by Council. This revised clause will make it

difficult for Council to provide clear advice to potential purchasers of land or people wanting to undertake

development in the Region as to whether land is affected by the new flood planning level proposed by the

Department.
 
“After such an extensive period of strategic planning, public consultation and collaboration with the Department

of Planning and other State Agencies, it is very surprising that the Minister has failed to recognise the

importance of certain local issues that are key to future growth and development in the Tamworth Region,” the

Mayor said.

Mr. Murray continued by saying, “It is likely that members of our community spent time, energy and money in

preparing submissions to the exhibited Draft LEP and these parties can rightfully feel very upset when last minute

changes disadvantage their living and/or business opportunities”.

It is possible that Tamworth Regional Council will need to initiate a number of Planning Proposals, (which can

alter the provisions of the LEP), to address these issues and potentially rezone further ‘greenfield’ sites for

bulky goods or other land uses to continue to facilitate development opportunities.

Mayor Murray concluded that, “while the publication of the comprehensive Tamworth Regional LEP is certainly a very

positive step, it is reasonable that the development industry and the general community will share the concerns of

Council regarding the very significant late changes made to the LEP by the Minister”.