On Public Exhibition: Have Your Say On The Draft Hilltops Local Environmental Plan

Hilltops Council has prepared a Draft Local Environmental Plan (Draft Hilltops LEP), to provide one, consolidated LEP for the Hilltops Local Government Area. To finalise the LEP, we are seeking your comments on how it relates to your community, neighbourhood or property.

The Draft Hilltops LEP is a significant land use planning tool, working in conjunction with other local, regional and state policy, legislation and regulations to direct and deliver planning outcomes within Hilltops.

The LEP is where land use zones are set as well as planning controls relating to a range of matters including subdivision, flooding, heritage and biodiversity for all lands within the Hilltops LGA.

The finalised document and mapping will replace the three existing LEPs currently in use. All three existing LEP’s are due for review and require amendments to reflect the latest information available and current local, regional and State planning regulations and policy.

We invite you to provide your feedback on the Draft Hilltops LEP during the public exhibition period underway until Monday 26 April 2021.

Objectives of Draft Hilltops LEP
The objectives of developing the Hilltops LEP are to:

• Provide consistent planning controls across the whole of the Hilltops Local Government Area.
• Progress the short term strategic objectives established within Hilltops 2040, the official Local Strategic Planning Statement for Hilltops; and
• Ensure the document is consistent with the latest State Government planning legislation and policy.

Key Parts of the Hilltops LEP Zones
The LEP is where the land use zones are determined. It contains the land use maps as well as zone objectives and land use tables, outlining what uses are permitted within each zone.

A majority of changes to zoning relate to achieving greater consistency in the use of zones across Hilltops. However, it is recommended you review the LEP via the website to confirm if any changes are proposed to your zone or the associated land use table.

Minimum Lot Size
The Draft LEP sets the Minimum Lot Size requirements for an allotment intended to accommodate a dwelling. The Minimum Lot Size requirements are set based on State and regional policy, as well as recognising local conditions and expectations in relation to amenity and servicing.

A majority of changes to Minimum Lot Size relate to achieving greater consistency in the use of zones across Hilltops. Also, providing greater capacity to accommodate a sustainable effluent disposal on site, where town services are not supported or provided. It is recommended you review the LEP via the website to confirm if any changes to the Minimum Lot Size requirements are proposed that may impact on your property

Other Planning clauses (eg heritage, biodiversity, flooding)
The Draft LEP includes a set of planning clauses relating to protecting and sustaining heritage and environmental values as well as health and safety. These apply in addition to the zoning requirements and are likely to be significant factors in determining the form and scale of future development on any site.

While a majority of the clauses have been transitioned from the three current LEPs new data has been provided in relation to items including heritage conservation, flooding and vegetation. Therefore, it is recommended you review the LEP via the website to confirm if any changes to your zone or the associated land use table have occurred.

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Community