Local Environmental Plan

The Upper Hunter Local Environmental Plan 2013 (LEP) sets out standards and permissions that apply to land use and development within our local government area.

The LEP consists of a written document and accompanying maps and contains information on the following:

• Land use zones throughout the shire and details of uses that are permitted/prohibited within each zone
• Development standards for building heights, floor space ratios and lot sizes
• Provisions relating to flooding, heritage, subdivision and biodiversity among other things

The Upper Hunter Local Environmental Plan 2013 can be found on the NSW Government Legislation website.

Apply for an LEP amendment

A developer or landowner may lodge a planning proposal with Council seeking to amend Council's LEP. Amending Council’s LEP is a legal process, know as the Gateway Process. Before requesting a review and proceeding with the Gateway Process, you should:

1. Contact us

The first step in the planning proposal process is to contact Council’s strategic planning team to discuss your planning proposal and find out if there's an alternative that would enable your proposed activity.

2. Make a formal amendment request

If there is no alternative to enable your proposed activity, you'll need to complete an LEP Amendment form. Include your Planning Proposal with your amendment request. If you have made any political donations and gifts, you must complete a Political donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement Form, found on the Building Planning and Development Form page

3. Pay the Fees

Phase 1 fees must be paid when you lodge your application. Amounts vary on the category of planning assigned to your proposal by Council’s Strategic Planning team. For more details, view the Strategic Land Use Planning section of Council's Fees & Charges.

The amendment might not proceed if it isn't consistent with other state, regional and local policies and if there are other known constraints or risks such as flooding, contamination or bush fire. To seek clarification on the potential constraints or risks for a specific site, please order a Section 10.7 Planning Certificate using the Multiple Certificate Form.

Planning and Development Forms

Related information

• NSW Dept. of Planning, Industry and Environment - The gateway process
• NSW Planning & Environment - Guide to preparing planning proposals
• Political Gifts & Benefits