Planning Proposal - Horticulture in Rural Zones

Implementing Our Rural Lands Strategy

Council is reviewing feedback on a Planning Proposal which aims to encourage horticulture in the rural zones across the Shire.

If approved, this would amend Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011 (WLEP 2011).


Context

The Wollondilly Rural Lands Strategy 2040 identifies the widespread distribution and important role that horticulture plays in Wollondilly, as well as its contribution to agricultural production in Greater Sydney. The Strategy also identifies the need to review the planning framework, including approval requirements to recognise improved technologies and more efficient practices in the horticulture sector.

Horticulture is currently permitted in the rural zones across the Shire on land where Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011 (WLEP 2011) applies. However, a development application is required to be submitted and approved by Council in all cases to establish the use.


How it Would Work

The intent of this Planning Proposal is to amend WLEP 2011 to create a pathway for horticulture to be undertaken on certain rural zoned land across the Shire as either:

  • Exempt development (where a development application is not required), or
  • Via a fast tracked approval process known as Complying Development.

More specifically, the proposal intends to amend WLEP 2011 so that on suitable land, horticulture can be undertaken:

  • As exempt development in the RU1 Primary Production Zone
  • As exempt or complying development in the RU2 Rural Landscape Zone
  • As exempt or complying development in the RU4 Primary Production Small Lot Zone.


It is important to note that there will still be some areas in the Shire where landholders will not be able to rely on the exempt and/or complying development pathway for horticulture. The Planning Proposal includes pre-determined standards that must be satisfied in order for horticulture to be undertaken in the rural zones as exempt or complying development.


The pre-determined standards (necessary to undertake horticulture as exempt or complying development) can be viewed under the Explanatory Information tab.

The online mapping tool can be used as a guide to determine if your land is in an area where the proposed amendments may apply.


Please note: Council is not the designated Local Plan Making Authority for this Planning Proposal.


View Documents

  • Online: under the 'planning proposal document' tab
  • Council's Customer Service Centre: at 62-64 Menangle St, Picton
  • Wollondilly Library: at 42 Menangle St, Picton


Submit Comments

  • Online: via the feedback form below
  • Email: council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au quoting reference CM 14043
  • Post: to Wollondilly Shire Council CEO, c/o Sustainable Growth, PO Box 21, Picton, NSW 2571
  • Hand delivered: to Council’s Customer Service Centre at 62-64 Menangle Street, Picton


More Information

For more information please contact Council's Strategic Planning Team on (02) 4677 1100.


Submissions Close

Written submissions on the Planning Proposal can be made until 5pm on 14 August, 2024.


Privacy

Any submission you make is open to public scrutiny. Council may be required to release your written comments or submissions to an applicant under the Government Information (Public Access) Act, 2009 or Local Government Act, 1993 that impose obligations on us to release documents in certain circumstances.


Implementing Our Rural Lands Strategy

Council is reviewing feedback on a Planning Proposal which aims to encourage horticulture in the rural zones across the Shire.

If approved, this would amend Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011 (WLEP 2011).


Context

The Wollondilly Rural Lands Strategy 2040 identifies the widespread distribution and important role that horticulture plays in Wollondilly, as well as its contribution to agricultural production in Greater Sydney. The Strategy also identifies the need to review the planning framework, including approval requirements to recognise improved technologies and more efficient practices in the horticulture sector.

Horticulture is currently permitted in the rural zones across the Shire on land where Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011 (WLEP 2011) applies. However, a development application is required to be submitted and approved by Council in all cases to establish the use.


How it Would Work

The intent of this Planning Proposal is to amend WLEP 2011 to create a pathway for horticulture to be undertaken on certain rural zoned land across the Shire as either:

  • Exempt development (where a development application is not required), or
  • Via a fast tracked approval process known as Complying Development.

More specifically, the proposal intends to amend WLEP 2011 so that on suitable land, horticulture can be undertaken:

  • As exempt development in the RU1 Primary Production Zone
  • As exempt or complying development in the RU2 Rural Landscape Zone
  • As exempt or complying development in the RU4 Primary Production Small Lot Zone.


It is important to note that there will still be some areas in the Shire where landholders will not be able to rely on the exempt and/or complying development pathway for horticulture. The Planning Proposal includes pre-determined standards that must be satisfied in order for horticulture to be undertaken in the rural zones as exempt or complying development.


The pre-determined standards (necessary to undertake horticulture as exempt or complying development) can be viewed under the Explanatory Information tab.

The online mapping tool can be used as a guide to determine if your land is in an area where the proposed amendments may apply.


Please note: Council is not the designated Local Plan Making Authority for this Planning Proposal.


View Documents

  • Online: under the 'planning proposal document' tab
  • Council's Customer Service Centre: at 62-64 Menangle St, Picton
  • Wollondilly Library: at 42 Menangle St, Picton


Submit Comments

  • Online: via the feedback form below
  • Email: council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au quoting reference CM 14043
  • Post: to Wollondilly Shire Council CEO, c/o Sustainable Growth, PO Box 21, Picton, NSW 2571
  • Hand delivered: to Council’s Customer Service Centre at 62-64 Menangle Street, Picton


More Information

For more information please contact Council's Strategic Planning Team on (02) 4677 1100.


Submissions Close

Written submissions on the Planning Proposal can be made until 5pm on 14 August, 2024.


Privacy

Any submission you make is open to public scrutiny. Council may be required to release your written comments or submissions to an applicant under the Government Information (Public Access) Act, 2009 or Local Government Act, 1993 that impose obligations on us to release documents in certain circumstances.