FAQs

A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the legal document that contains zoning and development controls that determine what development a landowner can or cannot carry out on their land. LEPs are used when assessing development applications, together with Development Control Plans which provide detailed design guidelines for development. All land, whether privately owned, leased or publicly owned, is subject to the controls set out in the relevant LEP. The Cessnock LEP applies to all land within the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA).

A Planning Proposal explains the intended effect of the proposed LEP amendments and the reasons for making it.

Changes to LEPs are necessary to maintain up-to-date local planning controls. These changes are being made to carry out the recommendations of the Cessnock Environmental Zoning Framework and the Local Strategic Planning Statement, two strategy documents adopted by Council following extensive community consultation. The LEP is also being updated to address local planning issues that change over time.

The LEP written document and zoning maps are managed by the NSW government. These can be found here.

Property addresses can be searched and located on an interactive zoning map here.

These changes will adjust the current zone objectives and the permissibility of some land uses in the C2 Environmental Conservation Zone, C3 Environmental Management Zone and C4 Environmental Living Zone. Details are available in Part 2: Explanation of Provisions of the Planning Proposal.

The proposal will change the planning controls that are used when determining what types of development are permissible in our Conservation zones. It is worth noting that all existing lawful uses being carried out on land in our Conservation zones can continue as they currently are, even if they were to become prohibited.