​​​​​​​​​​What is a Local Environmental Plan?

Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) guide planning decisions for local government areas. They do this through zoning and development controls, which provides a framework for the way land can be used. LEPs are the main planning tool to shape the future of communities and also ensure local development is done appropriately.

Which Local Environmental Plan applies to the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area?

The Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2013 (LEP 2013) currently applies to land in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area (LGA). LEP 2013 was made on 27 September 2013 and was prepared in accordance with the Standard Instrument - Principal Local Environmental Plan that applies across New South Wales. Both the written document and maps can be viewed at the NSW Legislation website:

• Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2013
• LEP 2013 Maps (external link to NSW Legislation website)
• and on our Online Mapping Tool.
  

How are planning controls updated and reviewed?

Local Environmental Plans are updated and/or reviewed via the 'Gateway Process'.

There are five steps in the process:

1. The Planning Proposal
2. Gateway
3. Community Consultation
4. Assessment
5. The making of the LEP

Further details on the Gateway Process and Resources for Plan Making / Tracking can be found on the NSW Planning & Environment Website.

How do i make an application to amend Council's LEPs?

The following steps apply for all applications to amend Council's LEPs.

• Step A: Complete Council's Request to Amend Coffs Harbour LEP - Pre-Lodgement Meeting F​orm.

• Step B: Attend Pre-Lodgement meeting and Local Planning Staff

• Step C: Complete Council's Application Form Request to Amend LEP Note: This checklist is required to be completed and submitted with all applications.
  

• Step D: Await Council's Peer Review of the application

• Next Steps: Dependant on the outcomes of Peer Review, the applicant will be notified of the next steps.

Can you please explain how the Fees and Charges work for requests to amend Council's LEP?

Amendments to Council's LEP can be for simple or complex matters. Our current fees and charges aim to scale up or down depending on the complexity of the request. The scale of the request, and consequently the fees to be charged, will be discussed at the compulsory pre-lodgement meeting.

Simple changes, including minor amendments and minor anomaly corrections, have fewer charges and do not require specialist studies to be prepared. Major amendments have been divided into 3 categories and each category attracts a different charge; and all specialist studies required to accompany these requests are funded at the applicant's cost. These categories are defined as:

• Major Type A -  Single site or issue generally consistent with Council's strategic planning framework or Planning directions and where no specialist studies are required (fee to be paid prior to commencement of Gateway Application with no refund provision).
• Major Type B - Multiple sites or issues generally consistent with Council's strategic planning framework or Planning directions and where specialist studies are required (fee to be paid prior to commencement of Gateway Application with no refund provision; and specialist studies to be funded at cost by the applicant).
• Major Type C - Complex application inconsistent with strategic planning framework or Planning directions and where specialist studies are required (fee to be paid prior to commencement of Gateway Application with no refund provision, payable by progress payments depending on complexity and process phases involved; and specialist studies to be funded at cost by the applicant).

Council also offers the ability to pay the fees and charges either as milestones are achieved in the LEP amendment process; or alternatively via a discounted one-off payment option.