Below is a listing of Gunnedah Shire Council's current Draft Plans, Policies and items on exhibition.

View Council related Draft Documents & Exhibition here. If no items are listed below, Gunnedah Shire Council currently has nothing to display.

Note:
Council would like to make you aware that as of 1 December 2021 changes will occur to Environment Protection zone within the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan. As of 1 December a reference to an Environment Protection zone E1, E2, E3 or E4 in a document should be taken to be a reference to a Conservation zone C1, C2, C3 or C4. For further information please see Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Amendment (Land Use Zones) Order 2021 (nsw.gov.au)

Contribution Plans and Servicing Plans are a means of sharing the cost of providing the community with the infrastructure that satisfies its economic and social needs.

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Local Government Act 1993 provides NSW local government with a formal legal frame-work for levying developers for the provision of infrastructure, services and amenities where the development increases demand upon Council's services and facilities.
These contributions are designed ensure that the existing ratepayers are not required to meet the cost of providing for new roads, community centres, libraries, open space and recreation facilities, the need for which arises from incoming populations occupying new residential developments.

To view or download the Contribution Plans, please click on the links below:

Development Control Plan

A Development Control Plan (DCP) provides specific, more comprehensive guideline for certain types of development, or area specific requirements for localities. A DCP is important in the planning system as it provides a flexible means of identifying additional development controls and standards for addressing development issues at a local level.
To view or download the DCP, please click on the links below:

Engineering Guidelines for Subdivisions and Developments

The Engineering Guidelines for Subdivisions and Developments have been compiled to outline Council’s general procedures and practises in respect of the engineering design requirements for subdivision and development of land within the Council area. To view or download the Guidelines, please click on the link below:

Note:
Council would like to make you aware that as of 1 December 2021 changes will occur to Environment Protection zone within the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan. As of 1 December a reference to an Environment Protection zone E1, E2, E3 or E4 in a document should be taken to be a reference to a Conservation zone C1, C2, C3 or C4. For further information please see Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Amendment (Land Use Zones) Order 2021 (nsw.gov.au)

Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) are prepared by Councils to guide planning decisions in their Local Government Areas and establish the requirements for the use and development of land. Through zoning and development controls they allow Councils to supervise the ways in which land is used. Gunnedah LEP 2012 is the principal land use planning instrument applying to land in the Gunnedah local government area.

To view or download the Gunnedah LEP 2012, please click here

Note:
Council would like to make you aware that as of 1 December 2021 changes will occur to Environment Protection zone within the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan. As of 1 December a reference to an Environment Protection zone E1, E2, E3 or E4 in a document should be taken to be a reference to a Conservation zone C1, C2, C3 or C4. For further information please see Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Amendment (Land Use Zones) Order 2021 (nsw.gov.au)

Council's Landuse Strategies aim to provide a broad direction for the future growth and development of the local government area.

Land Use Strategies

Environmental Management

Note:
Council would like to make you aware that as of 1 December 2021 changes will occur to Environment Protection zone within the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan. As of 1 December a reference to an Environment Protection zone E1, E2, E3 or E4 in a document should be taken to be a reference to a Conservation zone C1, C2, C3 or C4. For further information please see Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Amendment (Land Use Zones) Order 2021 (nsw.gov.au)

Biodiversity Values

BV Map Review Factsheet 2024.pdf

Guidance for Councils - Understanding the role of the BV Map 2024.pdf

The Biodiversity Values Map and what it means for your Development Application Factsheet 2024.pdf

What is the Biodiversity Values Map Factsheet 2024.pdf

Property File Access

Property owners and potential purchasers can request to access a property file by completing the Informal Request to View Property File application form and paying the file access fee. If the applicant is not the owner of the property, the consent of all the owners must be obtained on the application form.

The information contained within each property file varies and there is no guarantee the information required is contained within the file. A property file might include:

• Development Application/consent
• Statement of Environmental Effects
• Construction certificate
• Occupation certificate
• Drainage plans

It can take up to two working days from receipt of the application for the requested plans and documents to be supplied. You can nominate to have the document emailed or be called to collect from the Customer Service Centre.

Customers who would like to discuss the contents on receipt of the requested documents can make an appointment to speak with a Duty Planner (available between 9.00am and 1.30pm), by phoning our Customer Service Team on (02) 6740 2100.

FAQ Sheets

Council has prepared the following fact sheets to provide information in regard to the development application process.

If you would like to make use of footpath as part of building works, for outdoor seating or signage, you will need a permit from Council. Please review Council’s Footpath Occupation Policy and download the Street Trading Application Forms.

Development Application Lodgement

To lodge a Development Application (DA) with Council, a development application form is to be completed and submitted with supporting documentation. This documentation enables Council to adequately consider the proposed development.

Application forms may be obtained below or via email, post or collected from the Council Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street.
A minimum of three (3) paper copies of all the required documentation must be prepared to accompany a Development Application and/or Construction Certificate.
The fee payable for the development application is calculated on the value of the work proposed and/or the type of development proposed.

At time of lodgement the Development Application must be submitted to and accepted by a Duty Planner.

It is recommended that you make an appointment with Council's Duty Planner (available between 9.00am and 1.30pm) when you are ready to lodge the application. The Duty Planner will review the application to determine if the required information is provided and accept the application. You can make an appointment by phoning our Customer Service Team on 02 6740 2100.

Development applications lodged and received by Council can be tracked through Council's Online Application Tracking Service.

When preparing a development application, it is recommended that you review Council's Gunnedah Local Environment Plan 2012 (LEP) and the accompanying Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan 2012 - Land Use Matrix as well as Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP). These plans provide detailed planning and guidance for new development and provide the basis for development assessment.

Council's Engineering Guidelines for Subdivisions and Developments should also be reviewed during the preparation of an application.

Duty Planner Service

Council provides a free Duty Planner Service to assist with enquiries over the phone or in person relating to town planning matters. To assist with your enquiry when requesting to speak with a Duty Planner you will be asked by our Customer Service staff for address of property, development type and enquiry details.

Council Duty Planners also offer free pre-development application lodgement consultations to assist prospective applicants to familiarise themselves with the planning process. Formal plans or documents are not required for these sessions.

Appointments can be scheduled to speak with a Duty Planner for general planning enquiries, pre-lodgement discussion and development application lodgement between the hours of 9am to 1:30pm. It is recommended you make an appointment with the Duty Planner so that sufficient time can be allocated for your enquiry. You can make an appointment by phoning our Customer Service Team on 02 6740 2100.

Before you undertake any development or building works, you will need to determine what approvals are required.
Certain types of low-impact development may be carried out as Exempt or Complying Development. All other development will require a Development Application (DA) to be submitted to Council.

Exempt development – is of a minor nature and may be carried out without development approval. For this type of development to be carried out without approval, all of the criteria and requirements specified in the relevant planning instrument must be met, including compliance with the Building Code of Australia. If any of the criteria cannot be fully met, a complying certificate or development approval must be obtained before carrying out the work or development.

Complying Development – relates to specified small-scale, low-impact development, which complies with pre-set criteria detailed in a State Policy or Local Environmental Plan. This type of development can be determined by either council or private accredited certifier.

To find out whether your proposal is eligible to be exempt or complying development, please refer to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.

Development Application – most building works require a Development Application to be lodged with Council unless it is an Exempt or Complying Development. A Development Application (DA) is a request that you can make to Council to carry out various types of development such as (but not limited to):

• Erecting, altering or adding to a building
• Subdividing land
• Strata subdividing a building
• Changing the use of a building
• Demolition
• Erecting or installing a swimming pool
• Other building works

Before commencing any works please consult with Council's Planning staff, to ensure that all of the requirements and criteria will be satisfied. Please call our Customer Service Team on 02 6740 2100 for more information.