Changes to LEP to support tourism and hospitality operators

14 December, 2020Posted in: Community
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Robertson revegetation tour

Wingecarribee Shire Council has this month received confirmation that its amendment to the Wingecarribee Local Environment Plan (LEP), that will provide greater flexibility for the Shire’s tourism and hospitality industries, has been finalised.

The amendments to the LEP include:

  • Increasing the maximum number of bedrooms in Bed & Breakfast Accommodation establishments to five,
  • Increasing the maximum number of bedrooms in Farm Stay Accommodation premises to eight,
  • Permitting function centres with consent in the RU2 Rural Landscape zone,
  • Introducing a ‘heads of consideration’ clause for function centres; to apply to all zones where functions centres are permitted with consent,
  • Excluding function centres from the operation of clause 2.8 -Temporary Use of Land, and
  • Permit Artisan Food & Drink Industry with consent in the RU1, RU2, RU4 and SP3 zones. These zones are in addition to the IN1 General Industrial and IN2 Light Industrial zones where Artisan Food & Drink Industry is already permitted with consent.

The changes to the LEP resulted from a previous Council decision to prepare a Planning Proposal as recommended in the previously adopted Wingecarribee Rural Tourism Policy.  This Planning Proposal was subsequently referred to and supported by both Water NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The amendments were unanimously supported by Council at the Ordinary Meeting of 14 October 2020 and formally adopted by the NSW Government on 4 December 2020.

Council’s Deputy General Manager of Corporate Strategy and Development Services Mark Pepping said the amendments to the LEP would provide greater assurance for tourism operators and rural producers.

“These changes are designed to provide short-term accommodation houses with greater business opportunities and small food and drink operators with more choice,” he said.

“It will enable these operators to take advantage of our unique Highlands landscape without compromising our natural environment or bushfire safety.”

Mr Pepping said the Wingecarribee Shire was uniquely placed to support the tourism and agribusiness markets.

“Our climate, geography and existing amenities lend themselves to these industries,” he said.  “And these changes to the LEP reflect our commitment to pursuing appropriate agri-tourism opportunities.”

“Council continues to work with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to further develop such opportunities, with particular regard to farm gate activities and events.”