Go Back

Create- Rural Lands Policy

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Councillors as part of processes to ease red tape are discussing a range of potential amendments to Council’s existing planning policies governing rural land use. The potential amendments under consideration relate to changes in legislation that require Council to determine policy position on certain rural land uses in the Shire.

The three main areas that Council is reviewing include:

  1. The regulation of blueberry growing in Bellingen Shire.
  2. Whether Council should continue to allow for Multiple Occupancy development (also known as MO’s, or Rural Landsharing Communities) in the rural areas of the Shire and whether existing MO’s should be allowed to subdivide by the use of Community Title Subdivision.
  3. Potential changes to the E4 (Environmental Living) Zone, on Darkwood and Kalang Roads, to broaden the range of permissible uses in these areas.

To assist the discussion Council has prepared a document library and a brief survey, that can be completed by interested parties until 12 May 2017. The closing date for the survey has been extended until Monday 29 May 2017.

Additionally Council will hold a community meeting at Kalang Hall and Thora Hall.

Councillors as part of processes to ease red tape are discussing a range of potential amendments to Council’s existing planning policies governing rural land use. The potential amendments under consideration relate to changes in legislation that require Council to determine policy position on certain rural land uses in the Shire.

The three main areas that Council is reviewing include:

  1. The regulation of blueberry growing in Bellingen Shire.
  2. Whether Council should continue to allow for Multiple Occupancy development (also known as MO’s, or Rural Landsharing Communities) in the rural areas of the Shire and whether existing MO’s should be allowed to subdivide by the use of Community Title Subdivision.
  3. Potential changes to the E4 (Environmental Living) Zone, on Darkwood and Kalang Roads, to broaden the range of permissible uses in these areas.

To assist the discussion Council has prepared a document library and a brief survey, that can be completed by interested parties until 12 May 2017. The closing date for the survey has been extended until Monday 29 May 2017.

Additionally Council will hold a community meeting at Kalang Hall and Thora Hall.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Does council accept that much of the land along the Kalang valley is not economically suited for agriculture? Does council appreciate that where land is not economically suitable land owners may not invest in maintaining land and in particular removing and reducing the various noxious weeds, plant and trees that are a problem in the Kalang Valley. Is council minded consider activities or changes in usage that will: a) recognise the issues and from this become more flexibile i.e. reduce the minimum lot size, increase usage such that properties can become more viable/ income producing b) generate more income for council such as rates, such that council can maintain the valleys infrastructure

    Stephen Tunley asked almost 4 years ago

    Council hasn’t yet determined a policy position on the matters that you have raised, but will take them into consideration as part of the next stage of the process. 

    The point of the preliminary consultation is to provide the community with the opportunity to pose questions of this nature and Council thanks you for your input.