Uralla Shire Council placed its Draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) on public exhibition on Friday, August 12 and it will be on display until Monday, September 12, 2011. Members of the public are invited to consider the draft documents and to provide written comment.
Council’s Mayor, Councillor Kevin Ward, said, “The Draft Uralla LEP 2011 represents the first major change to the rules governing planning and development in the Shire in over 20 years. This is a significant achievement for Council and I look forward to seeing the benefits for both the community and local environment.”
Council’s General Manager, Mr Tom O’Connor, said the plan will focus on a number of key areas, while still protecting our natural environment.
“This new LEP has been prepared to bring Uralla into line with the State’s Template LEP provisions. At the same time, we are taking the opportunity to make some zoning changes to allow for more large lot residential and rural residential developments.”
The New England Development Strategy was completed early in 2010, and Uralla Council promptly commenced work on its new LEP. The Strategy was prepared for the New England Strategic Alliance of Councils (Guyra, Armidale Dumaresq and Walcha). Based on recommendations in the Strategy, and the guidelines provided by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Council have now finalised this Draft LEP.
Council’s General Manager, Tom O’Connor, said that many opportunities will be made available for people to find out about what is in the Draft LEP.
“Printed copies of the Draft LEP and associated documents will be available for inspection at Council’s Office in Uralla, Uralla Library, and General Stores at Bundarra, Invergowrie, Kentucky and Kingstown.
“The same material will also be available for download from Council’s website and Council will be providing CD copies on request” he said.
“An information guide has been prepared and copies of this can be obtained upon request from Council, from Council’s website, and also from the other locations noted above,” said Mr O’Connor.
A public information session will be held on Thursday, August 25 at Council’s Offices at 32 Salisbury Street, Uralla, commencing at 6.30pm.
Mayor Kevin Ward strongly encourages people to be part of the process.
“The community consultation process allows our community to help create the blueprint for the direction of the entire Uralla LGA, and so it is very important that we make sure it best suits the needs of as many people as possible. We need community input to help achieve this,” he said.
Further information about the Draft LEP can be obtained by contacting Uralla Shire Council on 6778 6300 or by email to: urallalep@gmail.com.
Submissions are to be in writing and addressed to independent planning consultant John Wolfenden by either email (urallalep@gmail.com) or mail (John Wolfenden, c/- Uralla Shire Council, PO Box 106, Uralla 2358).
