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Development Controls

Planning Act & Regulations 

All development assessment planning in New South Wales is undertaken in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). In particular, the issues that must be considered within every development application in New South Wales are outlined in Section 79C of the EP&A Act.

The primary supporting legislation to the EP&A Act 1979 is the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulations 2000 (EP&A Regs). The Regulations specify processes, regulations and provisions relating to the EP&A Act 1979.

State Environmental Planning Policies

State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) are applicable throughout New South Wales and are generally aimed at regulating state significant forms of development. To view all SEPPs click on the link above, and select "S" in the EPI alphabetical list.

Please note, recent changes to State legislation have introduced new provisions for residential, commercial and industrial development. These changes enable certain works to be undertaken as exempt or complying development (i.e. a development application is not required) in certain locations.

Council recommends that all prospective applicants for new residential, commercial or industrial development review the details contained in the 'NSW Housing Code' and 'NSW Commercial & Industrial Code', as these provisions may override Council's current development controls.

Within the Great Lakes Council area, various SEPPs must be considered as part of the development assessment process. These may be separated generally, into three categories: 

• considered in most development applications e.g. SEPP 1 Development Standards, SEPP BASIX;
• considered in environmentally sensitive areas e.g. SEPP 14 Coastal Wetlands, SEPP 26 Littoral Rainforests, SEPP 44 Koala Habitat Protection; and
• particular to the type of development being proposed SEPP 36 Manufactured Home Estates, SEPP 62 Sustainable Aquaculture. 

Regional Environmental Plans & Strategies 

The Department of Planning released the Mid-North Coast Regional Strategy in March 2009 which identifies potential urban and employment land release areas over the next 25 years (between 2006-2031). The Strategy will inform the preparation of local environmental plans, codes and policies within the Great Lakes Council area over this time. In association with the new Regional Strategy, the Department also introduced a new design document - North Coast Urban Design Guidelines.

Local Strategies & Environmental Plans 

Local Strategies are developed to promote a balance of development and conservation within the local government area. These Strategies are relied upon as background research documents in the preparation of new local environmental plans, development control plans and other policy documents. Strategies, Environmental Plans and any other Planning Controls are exhibited for public comment prior to adoption and enforcement.

Land use and development are then regulated by zones and development standards contained within a Council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP). Great Lakes is subject to the provisions of two current LEP documents:

• Great Lakes Local Environmental Plan 1996 covers the largest portion of the local government area.
• Manning Local Environmental Plan No.1 covers a small portion of land in north Tuncurry. A copy of the written document is provided below.

© 2008 Great Lakes Council
This page: http://www.greatlakes.local-e.nsw.gov.au/planning/1686.html